The 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships got underway this week, with multiple stars such as Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito looking to seal their ticket to the Milan Winter Olympics in February.
2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships: Schedule & More
The women’s short program was held on Wednesday, January 7th, with Glenn recording a historic score of 83.05 points to win. It was Liu (81.11) and Levito (75.72) who finished in second and third, respectively, with Sarah Everhardt and Bradie Tennell rounding out the podium.
As anticipation builds for the women’s free skate, here’s your essential guide to the thrilling final showdown that will decide who earns a place on Team USA.
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships will take place on Friday, January 9, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Here is the full schedule:
Friday, Jan. 9
2 p.m. | Championship Pairs Free Skate (Group 1)
2:57 p.m.| Championship Women’s Free Skate (Group 1)
6:21 p.m.| Championship Pairs Free Skate (Groups 2 and 3)
7:58 p.m. | Championship Women Free’s Skate (Groups 2 and 3)
All championship and junior-level events will be livestreamed on Peacock. Events can also be accessed on Peacock for 72 hours following their conclusion. Fans can also subscribe to Peacock Premium to get an all-access pass to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, U.S. Figure Skating Qualifying Season, ISU Championship events, and more. NBC Sports networks will also provide coverage of the event.
The excitement continues on Sunday, January 11th, when the world will watch live as Team USA’s figure skaters for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan are revealed at 1 p.m. CT.
Liu Speaks On What Feels Different About Milan
Liu stands out as a leading contender for Milan, her stellar season making her a favorite for Olympic gold. She has dazzled fans with a string of victories, including gold at the Grand Prix Final and several Grand Prix events.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan Magazine, Liu spoke about what the upcoming Olympic experience is going to look like:
“This Olympics is going to be very different than the last, for sure, in many different ways. Not just age – I was 16 last time – and I didn’t really love skating that much. I didn’t like my programs. I was just not in the process. This time, I’m really passionate about it and I’m getting to know a lot of the skaters a lot more than before. A lot of them are new.” she said.
During the interview, Liu reflected on her retirement from competitive skating at just 16 in April 2022, noting she was not alone in stepping away. Now, she seizes the opportunity to skate alongside a new wave of teammates, discovering renewed joy in the sport.
