A massive shout-out and thank you to Hallee Mandryk and the team at CTV News for their fantastic coverage of our recent Catan National Qualifier! It is always a thrill to see our passion for playing Catan in Saskatoon recognized, and we are incredibly grateful to CTV for showcasing the strategy, excitement, and welcoming spirit of our tabletop community.
Read the full article and watch the segment on CTV News here
A Record-Breaking Turnout at Gather Local Market
When SaskCatan founder Tyrel Wilgosh first began planning this national qualifier, the expectations were modest. But the Saskatchewan tabletop community showed up in full force! As highlighted in the CTV feature, the incredible turnout of nearly 50 competitive board game players actually prompted us to upgrade our venue to the spacious Gather Local Market.
As Tyrel explained in the interview, Catan hits the perfect sweet spot for players: “It’s more strategic than Monopoly, but less complex than chess.” That accessibility, combined with the high stakes of competing for a spot at the Canadian National Championship (and ultimately the World Finals in Germany!), made for an unforgettable tournament.
Why We Keep Coming Back to the Board
The CTV article beautifully captured the player experience by interviewing frequent Catan players Rylee Moody, Skylar Elliot, and Hannah Kearnan. Their insights perfectly sum up why we all love this game:
- Infinite Replayability: As Skylar pointed out, the modular board means you are playing a completely new map every single time. You have to constantly adapt your strategy, which keeps the game fresh and exciting.
- The Perfect Gateway Game: Rylee highlighted how approachable Catan is. It’s the ultimate introductory game for anyone looking to dive deeper into the world of tabletop gaming.
- The Thrill of the Trade: Hannah captured the competitive hook perfectly—the game is just a little bit addictive, and the drive to finally claim victory keeps players coming back to the table!
- Building Connections: Above all, events like this Saskatoon Catan Tournament are about mixing it up, testing new strategies, and meeting new people in the community.
What’s Next: Connect the World & Casual Nights
The action isn’t stopping here! As mentioned in the broadcast, SaskCatan has a packed summer schedule. We are gearing up for the massive “Connect the World” event, which will be live-streamed across approximately 30 countries!
Whether you are aiming for global glory, preparing for the next national qualifier, or just want to learn the ropes at a beginner-friendly meetup, there is a seat waiting for you.