The stage is set for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships 2026, where the nation’s brightest stars will battle for a coveted spot at the Milan Games this February. Since its debut in 1914, this storied competition has dazzled fans for over a century, and the 2026 edition promises to add another thrilling chapter to its 113-year legacy.
Last year, Wichita, Kansas, played host to unforgettable performances: Ilia Malinin clinched his third straight crown, Amber Glenn dazzled her way to gold, and dynamic duos Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, along with Madison Chock and Evan Bates, triumphed in Pairs and Ice Dance.
Now, let’s dive into what awaits at the 2026 championships.
U.S. Figure Skating Championships 2026: Event Schedule & How To Watch
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships will take place from January 4-11 in St. Louis, Missouri. The main championship events will be held at the Enterprise Center from January 7 to 11, with practices starting on January 6. Meanwhile, the Junior and novice competitions take place from January 4 to 6 at the nearby Centene Community Ice Center.
Sunday, Jan. 4
9:00 A.M. – 7:50 P.M. – Official Practices
Monday, Jan. 5
10:00 A.M. – Novice Pattern Dance
11:20 A.M. – Junior Rhythm Dance
1:30 P.M. – Novice Pairs Short Program
2:20 P.M. – Junior Pairs Short Program
4:25 P.M. – Junior Women’s Short Program
7:10 P.M. – Junior Men’s Short Program
Tuesday, Jan. 6
8:30 A.M. – Novice Free Dance
9:25 A.M. – Junior Free Dance
12:10 P.M. – Novice Pairs Free Skate
1:05 P.M. – Junior Pairs Free Skate
3:50 P.M. – Junior Women’s Free Skate
6:50 P.M. – Junior Men’s Free Skate
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Championship Official Practices
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Session 1 – 4:30 P.M. – Championship Pairs Short Program
Session 2 – 7:20 P.M. – Championship Women’s Short Program
Thursday, Jan. 8
Session 3 – 4:00 P.M. – Championship Rhythm Dance
Session 4 – 7:15 P.M. – Championship Men’s Short Program
Friday, Jan. 9
Session 5* – 2:00 P.M. – Championship Pairs Free Skate (Group 1) & Championship Women’s Free Skate (Group 1)
Session 6* (Medal Event) – 6:15 P.M. – Championship Pairs Free Skate (Groups 2&3) & Championship Women’s Free Skate (Groups 2&3)
Saturday, Jan. 10
Session 7* – 2:25 P.M. – Championship Free Dance (Group 1) & Championship Men’s Free Skate (Group 1)
Session 8* (Medal Event) – 6:00 P.M. – Championship Free Dance (Groups 2&3) & Championship Men’s Free Skate (Groups 2&3)
Sunday, Jan. 11
Session 9* – 1:00 P.M. – Live reveal of the figure skaters selected to represent Team USA at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan.
All championship and junior-level events will be livestreamed on Peacock and can be accessed on Peacock for 72 hours following their conclusion.
Novice events will be available on the U.S. Figure Skating YouTube channel. Additionally, television coverage airs on USA Network (Jan. 7-8 at 7 p.m.) and NBC (Jan. 9-10 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.).
Skaters To Watch At The National Championships
All eyes will be on Amber Glenn as she returns to defend her women’s singles crown. The competition heats up even more with reigning world champion and Grand Prix Final winner Alysa Liu also vying for a ticket to Milan, setting the stage for a fiercely contested showdown.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates, fresh off tying the record with their sixth national title in 2025, are hungry to make history with a seventh. Meanwhile, in men’s singles, 22-year-old Ken Mikawa is set to make his much-anticipated senior Nationals debut.
