The Scotch Cup was created by Toronto public relations executive and former sports journalist Stanley D. Houston on behalf of the Scotch Whisky Association, a client of Houston's agency Public Relations Services Limited, which was looking to generate increased North American exposure for its products.

Canada won the first six world titles, of which the legendary rink skipped by Ernie Richardson earned four.

The United States was the first country to break Canada's streak, winning their first world title in 1965.

By 1967, Norway, Switzerland, France, and Germany were added to the Scotch Cup, and Scotland won their first title, while Canada finished without a medal for the first time.

In 1973, the competing field was expanded to ten teams, and Italy and Denmark were introduced to the world stage.

Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway won their first titles in the following years, and Canada continued to win medals of all colours.

During this time, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany won world titles.

In 2005, the men's and women's championships were separated, and an agreement was made between the World Curling Federation and the Canadian Curling Association that Canada would host one of the tournaments annually each year, all of which are title sponsored by Ford of Canada.

[1] In 2019, the World Qualification Event was introduced, to qualify the final two teams in the men's and women's championships.

[3] In 2020, the men's, women's and mixed doubles championships were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.