2026 Kinoshita Group Cup: General Info and Pregame Chat

[gsk8]

2026 Kinoshita Group Cup​

The 2026 Kinoshita Group Cup will take place September 4-6, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. The competition is the second of 13 events in the 2026–27 ISU Challenger Series. It will feature all four disciplines.

The ISU Challenger Series is an annual series of senior international figure skating competitions organized by the International Skating Union (ISU). It provides athletes with additional opportunities to compete at the international level. Skaters can earn World Standing points and improve their international rankings.

All Challenger Series events are conducted under the ISU Judging System (IJS). Competitions follow the current season's ISU Special Regulations and Technical Rules.

Event Details​

• Dates: September 4–6, 2026
• Location: Tokyo, Japan
• Venue: Tokyo Tatsumi Ice Arena
• Level: Senior
• Disciplines: Singles, Ice Dance, and Pairs
• ISU Event Page
• Announcement

Schedule​

Day​	Event​
Friday, September 4, 2026	Men – Short Program
Friday, September 4, 2026	Women – Short Program
Saturday, September 5, 2026	Pairs – Short Program
Saturday, September 5, 2026	Ice Dance – Rhythm Dance
Saturday, September 5, 2026	Men – Free Skating
Sunday, September 6, 2026	Pairs – Free Skating
Sunday, September 6, 2026	Ice Dance – Free Dance
Sunday, September 6, 2026	Women – Free Skating

Please note: This schedule is subject to change.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

I guess a lot of Japanese skaters will be there, as their fed currently only has this competition and Golden Spin as the only Challenger events in their competition calendar...but does that mean we will get a well-accessible stream this year....my money is on no.

 

[denise3lz]

ISUチャレンジャーシリーズフィギュアスケート木下グループ杯2026／辰巳

Men
Kao MIURA
Rio NAKATA
Shun SATO
Sota YAMAMOTO

Women
Yuna AOKI
Mone CHIBA
Ami NAKAI
Mao SHIMADA

Pairs
Yuna NAGAOKA and Sumitada MORIGUCHI

Ice Dance
Utana YOSHIDA and Masaya MORITA

The full list of participants will be announced in mid-August.

 

[cocteautwin]

Only one ice dance team? C'mon JSF...

 

[denise3lz]

Only one ice dance team? C'mon JSF...

https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/2026-27_FS_Senkokijun_20260722.pdf

Selection Criteria for Athletes to Be Sent to Competitions

9. Challenger Series: Kinoshita Group Cup 2026

(3) Ice Dance:
• Selection of pairs that competed in the previous year’s World Figure Skating Championships
• Candidates will be selected from pairs with competition results from the previous year,
and final selection will be made at the selection trials to be held in August 2026,
based on a comprehensive evaluation of their performance on the selection program,
their routines, and their international competitive ability.

 

[cocteautwin]

https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/2026-27_FS_Senkokijun_20260722.pdf

Selection Criteria for Athletes to Be Sent to Competitions

9. Challenger Series: Kinoshita Group Cup 2026

(3) Ice Dance:
• Selection of pairs that competed in the previous year’s World Figure Skating Championships
• Candidates will be selected from pairs with competition results from the previous year,
and final selection will be made at the selection trials to be held in August 2026,
based on a comprehensive evaluation of their performance on the selection program,
their routines, and their international competitive ability.

Does it mean they may add more teams later? I hope so.