Figure Skating Competition Returns & Grand Prix Season
Key Questions
Which skaters are returning for Skate America?
Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin are returning to compete at Skate America as part of the Grand Prix season. U.S. National Team assignments have also been announced for the event.
What changes has the ISU made regarding Russian and Belarusian skaters?
The ISU has reinstated Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals for the 2026-27 season, though visa issues persist. Russian skater Zhilina has switched to represent Azerbaijan to bypass neutral status requirements.
What new events and formats are planned for future figure skating competitions?
Synchro9 will be added to the 2030 Olympics, and combined Worlds will be held in Beijing in 2028 with Grand Prix semifinals in 2027. Prize money has been doubled and scoring clarity improvements promised.
What award did Alysa Liu recently win?
Alysa Liu won the Best Breakthrough Athlete award at the 2026 ESPYs. She has also been featured on the TIME100 Sports list and hinted at possible snowboarding involvement for 2030.
What is the status of the Skate Canada roster?
The Skate Canada roster has been officially announced following U.S. team assignments. This continues the return of major figure skating competitions in the Grand Prix season.
Ilia Malinin’s memorial-themed short program and November Grand Prix debut, Amber Glenn’s rise, Mao Shimada’s senior breakthrough, and early results from Petrõkina, Selevko, Semenenko, and Alexandra Ignatova shape the new cycle. Skate America in Everett on November 13 is the next major spotlight, alongside Synchro9’s rollout, judging questions, wellbeing issues, and Valieva’s denied neutral eligibility.