Erzurum will host the 2020 World Mixed Doubles Qualification Event ©WCF

The Turkish city of Erzurum has been awarded the 2020 World Mixed Doubles Qualification Event, which is set to be the first international curling event in the nation for eight years.

Erzurum last held an international competition when the European Curling Championships C-Division and the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship were held in the city in 2012.

This year will be the second World Mixed Doubles Qualification Event after its debut in Scotland in December, and will see four teams qualify for the expanded 24-team World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in 2021.

The Qualification Event will take place from December 5 to 12.

With a capacity of 1,000, the Erzurum Curling Venue will host the competition, which is the dedicated curling facility for the Turkish Curling Association's (TCA) training and national events.

Speaking of the new host, World Curling Federation (WCF) President Kate Caithness said: "We are happy to be returning to Turkey for the first time in eight years.

"This event will see four of our member associations qualify for the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2021, where eight of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games mixed doubles places are on the line.

Erzurum is one of Turkey's winter cities in the east of the nation ©Getty Images
Erzurum is one of Turkey's winter cities in the east of the nation ©Getty Images

"It is an exciting time for our youngest Olympic discipline and I'm sure the TCA will put on a first-class event for our athletes and spectators."

Both the WCF and TCA will monitor guidelines from the Turkish Government and international health authorities, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

TCA President Kenan Sebin, speaking on behalf of the Organising Committee, said: "We are honoured to host the World Mixed Doubles Qualification Event 2020 in Erzurum and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our amazing winter city and historical place.

"We invite everyone to join the magic of Erzurum and we wish the athletes good luck and success in this event."

Sweden's powerhouse duo of Anna Hasselborg and Oskar Eriksson were crowned world champions in mixed doubles in 2019 before the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Erzurum was a contender for the 2026 Winter Olympics but its candidacy was dropped by the International Olympic Committee.

The city hosted the Winter Universiade in 2011 and the 2017 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival.