2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships will return to Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina

[Sylvia]

As far as I know, the only way you can get into practice sessions is with an all-event pass. If that's different, please let me know.

The practice rink (Special Event Center) practices are free & open to the public: https://www.ncskate2020.com/faq

Hopefully the detailed (colored) schedule will be made public soon.

 

[Joubabe]

Yes the double letters are closer to the ice.

Thanks, A.H. Black!

 

[Lutzcy]

I believe that all practices in the "practice" rink are open and free to the public. The practices in the competition arena are open only to all event ticket holders. If I am wrong, please let me know.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Still waiting for my “weekend package” tickets to come in the mail.......

I’ve bought my plane tickets and I will probably stay at the Holiday Inn Greensboro Coliseum. As much as I would like to stay at the Sheraton, the $60/night difference at Hotels.com really adds up!

I’m trying to decide if the Shuttle Pass is worth the $125 - I thought of Ubering but I’m not sure if I will save money.

 

[acraven]

There were reports last year that the shuttle ran very infrequently. I didn't use it last year. I was happy with the shuttle the first time Nationals were in Greensboro, but the LOC lost a lot of money on it and had to raise the fee and cut the frequency last time around.

 

[Debbie S]

I’m trying to decide if the Shuttle Pass is worth the $125 - I thought of Ubering but I’m not sure if I will save money.

Weekend shuttle pass is only $100 :https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/greensborocoliseum/EN/buy/details/0GCUSFWS

There were reports last year that the shuttle ran very infrequently. I didn't use it last year. I was happy with the shuttle the first time Nationals were in Greensboro, but the LOC lost a lot of money on it and had to raise the fee and cut the frequency last time around.

I thought the shuttle was OK last time. Not as good as it was in 2011, but IIRC, it generally stayed on sched (every half hour) and there were buses waiting when the events let out. I stayed at the Sheraton, so I might have had a better experience than those staying at the other hotels. But I think this time, all hotels will be on the same bus route. I did get the shuttle pass this time b/c I decided it was easier than driving back and forth and looking for a parking space/waiting to get out of the lot.

The only Nats shuttle system I thought was bad was San Jose. If I do go next year (and I'm on the fence), I plan to use either the free city 'circulator' type buses (weekdays) or Uber.

 

[Carolla5501]

I used public transportation in San Jose both times and never had a problem. It’s also not a horrible walk from the time of the downtown hotels.

 

[mposl]

I believe that all practices in the "practice" rink are open and free to the public. The practices in the competition arena are open only to all event ticket holders. If I am wrong, please let me know.

This is from the FAQ on the website:
Q: WHERE ARE PRACTICE SESSIONS HELD AND ARE THEY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
A: Practice sessions are held in both the Greensboro Coliseum's main arena and in the adjacent Special Events Center. Practices in the Greensboro Coliseum are only open to All-Event ticket purchasers. Practices in the Special Events Center are free and open to the public.

 

[Debbie S]

Per the Nats LOC IG, Benny the Rescue Dog who performed at SA (possibly the most Instagrammed item at SA, if my feed was any indication ), will be attending Nats. No word if he'll be performing, selling SA tix, or taking Rusty's place.

 

[AnnM]

More Benny, less Rusty!

 

[A.H.Black]

It's the DJ I can do without.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

It's the DJ I can do without.

DJ Romeo is my favorite thing that happened to USFS events. Much better than the five CDs they used to play over and over.

 

[mattiecat13]

It's the DJ I can do without.

The DJ would be ok if he would turn the music down. When you have to yell to speak with the person next to you, it’s too loud.
And I like Rusty.

 

[Carolla5501]

Just don’t bring back that singer from a couple of years ago. She must e related to somebody because there was no other reason we would’ve had her

I’m not overly fond of the DJ eithet but I just get out and walk around so I don’t usually have to listen to him too much

 

[TanithandBenFan]

The only time the music has been loud enough where I had to raise my voice has been during the exhibitions when it's more of a party atmosphere. I've never had an issue with the volume during the competition events.

 

[Debbie S]

I think what annoys me about Rusty, DJ, that bad singer, etc, is that they feel like gimmicks to fill time and drag out events. I know that TV dictates a lot of the sched and the dead time, but it's still annoying. It's like, can we get on with the skating? Maybe I am just getting cranky, lol. But the clips I saw of the dog in Vegas were cute, and I don't mind the dancing mascots during ice cuts at NHK.

 

[aftershocks]

Greatness is Coming to Greensboro

North Carolina 2020 on Twitter

“Greatness is getting closer to Greensboro! Two-time U.S. bronze medalist @MariahSk8rBell will be here in search of gold. Join her at @Gbocoliseum! Individual event tickets are still available. Ticket link in bio! ?”

twitter.com

Greensboro will welcome VegasKingBenny!

Benny the Ice Skating Dog on Twitter

“My big surprise... I am going to the US FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS... I am hoping for a Gold medal... See you at @NCSkate2020 @USFigureSkating #bennyisgreatness #gobennygo”

twitter.com

#bennyisgreatness #gobennygo

 

[mpbryant]

Has anyone found/seen the detailed color-coded schedule (with practice session info) yet?

 

[livetoskate]

That money they spend on Rusty, the dog, a singer or whatever could be better used for skating scholarships. I'd rather see retired skaters who were already going to attend nationals do the little audience interviews and fill the time chatting about their lives.

 

[Carolla5501]

I think USFS is trying to show the audience that this is an 'exciting' sport by providing actions during breaks that people might find boring. (NOTE: I said "trying" not "succeeding")

The other part that Rusty plays that is actually important is promoting the sponsors. I think we can't overlook the importance of sponsors and if one of their requirements is that "promote" it to audience, Rusty probably is cheaper than losing a sponsor.

 

[Carolla5501]

The practice rink (Special Event Center) practices are free & open to the public: https://www.ncskate2020.com/faq

Hopefully the detailed (colored) schedule will be made public soon.

So no sign of the detailed schedule yet? (I am trying to cover a schedule meetings around this, come on USFS! )

 

[Moto Guzzi]

I'm still waiting for my parking pass. I paid for it on December 4 and my credit card statement shows payment was made. I'll contact customer service tomorrow.

 

[Carolla5501]

I'm still waiting for my parking pass. I paid for it on December 4 and my credit card statement shows payment was made. I'll contact customer service tomorrow.

oh dear I will purchased mine last week. Guess if it doesn’t show I’ll have to visit the box office

 

[euterpe]

I haven't received my shuttle pass, which was supposed to be mailed out in December.

 

[Coco]

Footage of past champions and past special performances go a long way towards keeping the crowd happy.

 

[Moto Guzzi]

I called customer service at 336-315-8333 after I didn't get a response to my email. I was told my parking pass didn't get mailed out because they didn't have an address or a phone number for me. I know I gave them that information on the form I filled out. The person I spoke with had no explanation for why nobody contacted me by email since they do have that information.

The parking pass will be mailed out either today or tomorrow.

 

[Coco]

I'm seeing a lot on social media about people knitting supplies for displaced or injured animals in Australia.

What are the odds someone could set up a bin at the arena to collect finished knitted items and send to Australia?

Are spectators even allowed to bring in knitting needles?

 

[Debbie S]

@Coco I've never seen people knitting at Nats but have no idea about the rules. Generally speaking, though, I remember reading an article not long ago that emphasized that the best way to help out in a natural disaster is to contribute money to orgs that are helping 'on the ground'. It sounds crass, but this article noted several examples of when people around the country/world sent items that weren't needed and created an extra burden for rescue workers to try to find a place to store and distribute them.

 

[Carolla5501]

@Coco I've never seen people knitting at Nats but have no idea about the rules. Generally speaking, though, I remember reading an article not long ago that emphasized that the best way to help out in a natural disaster is to contribute money to orgs that are helping 'on the ground'. It sounds crass, but this article noted several examples of when people around the country/world sent items that weren't needed and created an extra burden for rescue workers to try to find a place to store and distribute them.

I personally agree that the way to support this is cash rather than shipping knitted objects across the world. But I had to point out that if you’ve never seen anyone needing you obviously were not at nationals the year of the woman dropped her knitting on the ice during competition

 

[Debbie S]

I personally agree that the way to support this is cash rather than shipping knitted objects across the world. But I had to point out that if you’ve never seen anyone needing you obviously were not at nationals the year of the woman dropped her knitting on the ice during competition

LOL, no, I didn't see that. What year/event was it?