The prestigious ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix is a prime event for athletes, fans, spectators and media around the world. The most important facts about the competition format of the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series 2026/27 explained in brief.

How does the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix work?

• The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series consists of six events in six countries that happen within six weeks
• The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series cumulates in the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final
• All four disciplines Women's single, Men's single, Pairs and Ice Dance compete in each event of the series
• The skaters/couples collect points in their ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix events
• The top six in each discipline from the series qualify for the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final
• The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series starts in October and ends in December
• Juniors compete in the ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Series from August to October and the top six qualify for the ISU Figure Skating Junior Grand Prix Final
• The two finals for junior and senior level skaters are held together

Yuma Kagiyama performs in the Gala exhibition at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan © ISU

Who competes in the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix series?

• Skaters are invited to the six Grand Prix events based on the results of the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 and Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
• The top 12 skaters/couples from the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 and the 2026 Olympic medalists are guaranteed two ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix events
• The top six skaters/couples from the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 and the 2026 Olympic medalists are seeded
• Skaters with a top 24 Season's Best Score (from the 2025/26 season) and those placed in the top 24 of the ISU World Standings can also be invited 
• Medalists from the ISU Figure Skating Junior World Championships can be selected, if available
• “Come-back Skaters” – former top athletes that return to competition - will be given priority for up to two assignments
• Each event features - if possible – an equal number of World/Olympic medalists within the overall four disciplines
• Skaters can compete in a maximum of two events of the series

 ISU Grand Prix 2026/27 schedule

• Stop 1: October 23-25, ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix de France 2026, Angers, FRA 
• Stop 2 : October 30-November 1, ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Skate Canada International 2026, Kelowna, CAN
• Stop 3: November 6-8, ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China 2026, Shenzhen, CHN
• Stop 4: November 13-15, ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Skate America 2026, Everett, USA
• Stop 5: November 20-22, ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy 2026, Helsinki, FIN
• Stop 6: November 27-29, ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix NHK Trophy 2026, Tokyo, JPN
• ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final 2026: December 10-13, Chongqing, CHN

Jazmine Desrochers and Kieran Thrasher compete in the Junior Pair Free Skating at the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan © ISU

How many skaters compete in the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix?

• Each ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix event features 12 Men, 12 Women, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples
• About 150 skaters/couples compete in the series
• The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final includes 6 Men, 6 Women, 6 Pairs and 6 Ice Dance couples

What are the qualification requirements?

• Skaters/couples need to have achieved a minimum total score in the 2025/26 season or current season in an ISU Figure Skating event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event
• The minimum scores are for Women 142.97 points, for Men 197.64 points, for Pairs 137.00 points, for Ice Dance 138.49 points
• Exceptions apply to host country skaters, previously ranked skaters or split top couples who return with new partners.

Related articles

- 2026/27 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series Assignments: Women

- 2026/27 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series Assignments: Men

- 2026/27 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series Assignments: Pairs

- 2026/27 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Series Assignments: Ice Dance