The competition will be the first of its kind as the discipline will make its Olympic debut at Pyeongchang 2018 in South Korea next year.

Eighteen teams will compete at Stride Place in the Manitoba city for the right to be the Canadian representatives at the Games.

Governing body Curling Canada have only been able to confirm the tournament now as the country needed to book their place in Pyeongchang through last month's World Championship.

This was duly achieved by Reid Carruthers and Joanne Courtney who finished as runners-up on home ice in Lethbridge.

Their run to the final, where they lost 6-5 to Switzerland's Jenny Perret and Martin Rios, also moved the country to the top of the world rankings.

Action at the qualifier will take place in Portage la Prairie between January 3 and 7 next year.

The Winter Olympics will be held between February 9 and 25.

"This will be an historic event, and we're thrilled to see Portage la Prairie earn the privilege of playing host to the first Canadian Olympic Mixed Doubles Trials," said Peter Inch, chairman of Curling Canada's Board of Governors. 

"We know the community will embrace this event, because we've seen Portage la Prairie step up repeatedly in the past for the sport of curling. 

"Knowing what's on the line next January, we're anticipating a great show in Portage la Prairie."

The Trials will feature 18 teams, split into two pools of nine, and eight teams will move into a double-knock-out play-off stage.

"Our mixed doubles athletes have been working extremely hard in the past few years to make sure we're at a level to compete for a medal in Pyeongchang," said Curling Canada's national mixed doubles coach Jeff Stoughton. 

"That hard work will continue as we turn our focus to the Olympic season. 

"And while Joanne and Reid clinched the berth this past weekend, it's important to acknowledge the amazing and gutsy performance by Marliese Kasner and Dustin Kalthoff at the 2016 World Mixed Doubles Championship. 

"Without the qualifying points they earned us there, we wouldn't be in the position we are today."