Figure skating at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Ilia Malinin set for potential historic debut – Full schedule, how to watch live
The excitement for the 2025-26 figure skating season is building as the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 gear up to open on February 6. This prestigious event promises to deliver two fantastic weeks filled with breathtaking performances and fierce competition.
The competition calendar kicks off with the team event, featuring a showdown anticipated to be a contest between USA and Japan, the top finishers from Beijing 2022. Throughout this thrilling fortnight, new champions will emerge in singles and ice dance categories—except for the acclaimed Chinese pair, Sun Wenjing and Han Cong, who will defend their title from the previous Olympics.
The spotlight this year will undoubtedly shine on U.S. sensation Ilia Malinin, making his Olympic debut. Fans globally are eager to see if Malinin can eclipse the current men’s world record of 335.30 set by Nathan Chen, a monumental feat he is confidently pursuing. After a remarkable season, where he finished well ahead of competitors in December’s Grand Prix Final, his claim as a top gold-medal contender solidifies.
On the women’s front, the competition promises unprecedented drama. American skaters like Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito will face off against a formidable Japanese trio, including Sakamoto Kaori—who fans will be lamenting is skating in her final Olympic Games before retirement.
Figure skating events will unfold at the exquisite Milano Ice Skating Arena, running from February 6 to 19. A total of 142 quota spots are available, including 29 each in the men’s and women’s singles and 38 athletes competing in pairs.
Full Schedule Overview:
6 February – Team Event Initiates with Ice Dance, Pairs, and Women’s Short Program among others. Key matchups include Men’s Short Program on 7 February, leading to thrilling finals culminating with the Women’s Free Skating on 19 February.
Viewers can catch the event live across various networks, including NBC in the U.S. and other broadcast platforms globally, ensuring everyone can partake in this exhilarating spectacle. Get ready to witness the magic of figure skating at its finest!
