2026-27 Challenger Series

[ramurphy2005]

Just compiling the list of Challengers, but the entire season schedule has been released.

https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.azurefd.net/isudamcontainer/CMS/Corporate-Site/Governance/Transparency/ISU-Communications/2796-International-Competitions-FS--SYS--2026-27-1781621082-7854.pdf

• Cranberry International, 5-9 August, Norwood, MA, singles only
• Kinoshita Group Cup, 4-6 September, Tokyo, all disciplines
• John Nicks Pairs International, 11-12 September, Norwood, MA, pairs only
• Lombardia Trophy, 17-20 September, Bergamo, singles & dance
• Nebelhorn Trophy, 24-26 September, Oberstdorf, all disciplines
• Nepela Memorial, 24-27 September, Bratislava, singles & dance
• Trialeti Trophy, 1-4 October, Batumi, all disciplines
• Denis Ten Memorial, 8-11 October, Astana, singles & dance
• Budapest Trophy, 15-18 October, Budapest, singles & dance
• Tallinn Trophy, 16-22 November, Tallinn, all disciplines
• PGE Warsaw Cup, 25-29 November, Warsaw, all disciplines
• Golden Spin of Zagreb, 2-5 December, Zagreb, singles & dance
• Icechallenge, 10-13 February, Graz, all disciplines

 

[TT_Fin]

Quite interesting that Tallinn Trophy is at the same time as Finlandia Trophy and top Estonian skaters are named to Finlandia.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Nebelhorn and Nepela at the same weekend again...

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

This year, the Golden Spin isn't on the same Weekend as the Grand Prix Final, so the latter is more likely to be watched, even if the competitors happen to be less interesting than those of the Golden Spin?

 

[dorispulaski]

2026 Lake Placid Ice Dance
International is on the list again, but is not listed as a Challenger

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Has John Nicks changed locations? And does that mean we will maybe get a stream this time?

 

[dorispulaski]

Ice Challenge of Graz is the final event of the Challenger Series. It is 10-13 February 2027 this season, and I am very, very excited about this change, because it has always had good streaming coverage and good scoring/ data availability, something that Golden Spin of Zagreb never has had.

What good is a series when the final event is basically invisible until later??? This year, that will not be the case


Norwood has had streaming for Cranberry in the past, so I hope there will be streaming for John Nicks in Norwood!!!!

And alas, there is no Challenger for dance in North America this season, which is an utter travesty, considering how many great teams are based in North America.

 

[sissy7]

This season we get 12 Challengers?!!!!
(Of course if you count Cranberry and John Nicks as one...)
From where did we get so lukcy?
Am trilled Budapest Trophy is back as a Challenger

 

[apgold]

As much as I liked having John Nicks pairs local to me at Chelsea Piers and was able to attend the SP last year, I think moving it to SCOB is an improvement. There's actual seating for spectators and some of the athletes who will likely compete are local.

I'll also be out of town that weekend so I won't be able to attend anyway.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

SCOB is an absolutely better, larger, more state-of-the-art rink than the one at Chelsea Piers, for a prestigious, important ISU Challenger event, like John Nicks Pairs International*. It was a diss to the pairs discipline to hold it at a location with such poor lighting, deplorable ice conditions, and nonexistent seating!

* I see they changed the name from 'Challenge' to 'International.' I guess the improved site and conditions may attract more international entries.

 

[paulusfr]

13 events. This document says "Up to a maximum of six (6) additional International Figure Skating Competitions may be added by the ISU Council", for a total of 10. They just be saying anything, right?