Two series. Four months. 13 events. Hundreds of skaters. And plenty of future and established stars to discover.

The 2026/27 Figure Skating season is about to get underway, with the ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix series set to take the ice. The action begins on August 20 in Xi’An, China, with the opening event of the ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix series. Over the following seven weeks, the series will visit seven destinations across Asia and Europe, giving some of the sport’s most promising young skaters their chance to shine on the international stage.

Then, from October 23, the spotlight turns to the senior circuit. Six ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix events across Europe, Asia and North America will bring together many of the world’s best skaters, all chasing valuable points and a coveted place at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final in December in Chongqing, China.

Here is your guide to everything you need to know about the 2026/27 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix season.

Key Facts: How does it work?

Previously known as the “ISU Champions Series”, the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix has been a highlight of the international Figure Skating calendar since 1995. Over the past three decades, it has grown into one of the sport’s most prestigious and anticipated series, for athletes, fans, spectators and media around the world. 

A general view of IG arena during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan. © ISU

The ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix

Starting in August, the Junior Grand Prix is where many future champions begin their international journey, providing young skaters with invaluable experience at the highest level.

• The ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix series features seven events in seven countries across Asia and Europe over eight weeks. 
• ISU member countries receive entries based on their results at the 2026 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
• Skaters must meet the age requirements: they must be at least 13 years old and must not have reached 19 years (Singles), 21 years (Ice Dance) or 21 years for women/23 years for men (Pair Skating) before July 1, 2026.
• Skaters can compete at a maximum of two Junior Grand Prix events.
• Points are awarded throughout the series, with the top six skaters/couples in each discipline qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final taking place in Chongqing, China.
• More than 300 young skaters from around 50 countries are expected to compete across Men’s, Women’s, Pair Skating and Ice Dance.

For further information, see the ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix General Announcement.

The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix 

From October, the sport’s established stars take over the spotlight.

• The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix series consists of six events in six countries that happen within six weeks in Europe, Asia and North America.
• Invitations are based primarily on results at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and the ISU World, European and Four Continents Championships.
• Each event aims to feature a strong field of World and Olympic medalists across all four disciplines. 
• Medalists from the ISU World Junior Championships may also receive invitations where places are available.
• Skaters and couples earn points at their Grand Prix events, with the top six in each discipline qualifying for the Grand Prix Final.
• Skaters can compete at a maximum of two Grand Prix events.
• The series runs from October through November, culminating in the Grand Prix Final in December.
• Around 150 world-class skaters and couples are expected to compete across the series.
• Each Grand Prix event features 12 Men, 12 Women, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples.

 Skaters take photo after the Gala Exhibition during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan © ISU

The journey culminates in a special double celebration: the Junior and Senior Grand Prix Finals will take place together in Chongqing, China, bringing the sport’s future stars and established champions together on the same stage.

Mark Your Calendar: When & Where to Watch?

The ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix 2026/27

• Stop 1: August 20-22 ISU JGP Xi’An, CHN 
• Stop 2: August 27-29 ISU JGP Riga, LAT
• Stop 3: September 3-5 ISU JGP Bangkok, THA
• Stop 4: September 17-19 ISU JGP Ankara, TUR
• Stop 5: September 24-25 ISU JGP Batumi, GEO
• Stop 6: October 1-3 ISU JGP Ljubljana, SLO
• Stop 7: October 8-10 ISU JGP Gdansk, POL
• ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Final: December 10-13, Chongqing, CHN

The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix 2026/27

• Stop 1 : October 23-25 Grand Prix de France, Angers, FRA 
• Stop 2: October 30-November 1 Skate Canada International, Kelowna, CAN
• Stop 3: November 6-8 Cup of China, Shenzhen, CHN
• Stop 4: November 13-15 Skate America, Everett, USA
• Stop 5: November 20-22 Finlandia Trophy, Helsinki, FIN
• Stop 6: November 27-29 NHK Trophy, Tokyo, JPN
• ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final: December 10-13, Chongqing, CHN 

Catch the action on the ISU Skating Channel on YouTube.

 Skaters perform during the Gala Exhibition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan © ISU

Top Contenders: Who to Watch? 

The future takes the ice in Xi’an

The next generation is ready to make its mark.

The ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix series 2026/27 kicks off with the first stop in Xi’An, China August 20-22. For many of the young athletes, it is their first major opportunity of the season to compete on the international stage. For others, it is the next step on the road towards becoming the sport’s future stars. Olympic and World Champions such as Liu, Shaidorov, Malinin and Kaori Sakamoto all began their journeys on the Junior Grand Prix circuit.

Xi’an is hosting an ISU Junior Grand Prix event for the first time, with 116 skaters and couples representing 32 nations set to compete. 

Whom to Watch in Xi’An

• Yanhao Li (NZL): Already a seasoned competitor on the junior circuit, Yanhao Li made history by becoming the first skater from New Zealand to win an ISU Junior Grand Prix and to reach the ISU Junior Final. Entering his fifth Junior Grand Prix season, Li is setting his sights on the very top of the podium. 

Yanhao Li of New Zealand competes in the Men's Free Skating during the ISU Figure Skating Junior World Championships 2026 in Tallinn, Estonia. © ISU

• Patrick Blackwell (USA): After claiming two silver medals on the junior circuit in 2024 and 2025, the skater from Boston is pursuing his first JGP title.
• Lev Lazarev (AIN): A newcomer on the JGP, the 16-year-old nevertheless is a top contender with multiple quads in his arsenal.
• Kaoruko Wada (JPN): The 2024/25 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist headlines a competitive Women’s field.
• Sofiia Dzepka (AIN): Competing in her first ISU JGP, the 16-year-old is expected to challenge for the podium.
• Yuxuan Chen & Yinbo Dong (CHN): The ISU JGP finalists aim to shine on home ice to continue the strong tradition of Chinese pair skating.

Yuxuan Chen and Yinbo Dong of China compete in the Pair Short Program during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan. © ISU

• Polina Shesheleva & Egor Karnaukhov (AIN): Making their debut on the international junior circuit, this team is ready to compete with the best.
• Zoe Bianchi & Daniel Basile (ITA): Following a silver and bronze medal on the circuit 2025/26, this Italian ice dance couple is aiming even higher this season.
• Summer Homick & Nicholas Buelow (CAN): Two-time JGP bronze medalists in 2025, the Canadians look ready to take the next step.
• A total of 116 skaters/couples representing 32 nations are competing in the event.

Discover the full entries’ lists for the JGP Xi-An 

The Stars of the Senior Grand Prix

Reigning Olympic Champions Alysa Liu, Mikhail Shaidorov, Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Guillaume Cizeron and ISU World Champions Ilia Malinin and Minerva Hase & Nikita Volodin as well as Olympic and World medalists headline the star-studded field of the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix 2026/27.

Alysa Liu competes in the figure skating women's single free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan Italy.  © ISU

Ilia Malinin of United States performs during Gala Exhibition during ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic.  © ISU

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France perform during ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic. © ISU

Discover full entries’ lists for the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix