The new figure skating season kicks off in October 2026, and the main contenders in the key disciplines can already be identified.
Ladies single skating
Competition in ladies singles is at its highest in recent years. Japanese skaters — Kihira and Matsuyama — plan to attack scoring records. In the absence of Russian athletes at international level, the balance of power has changed fundamentally.
Men's single skating
Ilia Malinin of the USA is the undisputed favourite. The American possesses a unique combination of quad jumps and consistency that many would envy. His main rival will remain Cha Jun-hwan of South Korea.
Ice dance and pairs
North American couples dominate in ice dance, while pairs skating is expected to see fierce competition between China and Europe.
