August is peak test-skate season before Grand Prix 2026/27. Assignments are set, Angers opens the series on Oct 23-25, and readiness — not eligibility headlines — decides autumn start lists.
Why now
Early August shows whether quads, combos and free-skate stamina survived summer workload.
Calendar
Angers, Kelowna, Shenzhen, Everett, Helsinki, Tokyo, then Chongqing Final Dec 10-13. Follow figure skating.
Eligibility is not readiness
Separate clearance, assignments and test-skate stability. Build neutrals → skates → Angers preview now so figure skating is warm before October.
FAQ
First GP?
Angers, 23-25 October 2026.
Final?
Chongqing, 10-13 December 2026.
Test skates beat press releases — build the autumn cluster now.
