The decision was made at the International Federation's sixth World Curling Congress in Bled in Slovenia.

An initial concept for the World Series of Curling was developed by the WCF and its marketing partners, Infront Sports & Media.

The series will have one leg hosted in each of the World Curling Federation’s regional zones.

The first will be hosted by China in the Pacific-Asia zone, the second leg in Europe and the third in the Americas.

After that the series will conclude at a Grand Final in Beijing.

“In December 2016 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ourselves and the Chinese Curling Association (CCA) for the development of curling in China," said WCF President, Kate Caithness.

"This included an agreement to fund the World Series of Curling.

“This is a huge step forward for our sport and it marks the most significant step so far, that takes the World Series of Curling from a concept to it being realised.”

The news comes after the WCF signed a funding agreement with China based company, Kingdomway Sports, who are set to invest more than $10 million (£7.3 million/€8.3 million) over a four-year period.

These proceeds will be used for the World Series and to develop curling worldwide in the lead up to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

China hosting two of the four World Series of Curling legs is also part of the funding agreement.

Kingdomway Sports are based in Xiamen and also work with the CCA, Chinese winter sports, Chinese football and basketball governing bodies and the Brazilian Football Association.

"It’s our honour to become the funding partner of the inaugural World Series of Curling," said Kingdomway Sports chief executive Wu Lei.

"We deeply believe that together with the WCF and CCA, we can contribute and promote curling in China and all over the world."

Further announcements about the World Series of Curling are set to be made in the near future.