2026 U.S. Nationals - St. Louis!

[peibeck]

Thanks -- are you saying that concession stand is open today for Sun practices?

If I get myself to Centene later today, hoping not to waste time grabbing food beforehand.

Appreciate all your information in this thread.

Sorry couldn't be on my phone when I was doing ice monitoring. It was open this a.m. then closed, but there were other spots for food in Centene.

There is no walkway between Centene and the casino, but there are restaurants available there.

 

[kwanette]

So is this silly announcement of the Olympic team on Sunday why the Senior events are starting a day earlier then normal on Wednesday?

Back in the day, ie, Phila in 98, Sr events started on Tues night.

 

[acraven]

Is there Wi-Fi in the competition-rink seating area at Centene? I'm don't want to lug my tablet out there if there's no Wi-Fi.

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

Is there Wi-Fi in the competition-rink seating area at Centene? I'm don't want to lug my tablet out there if there's no Wi-Fi.

According to the publicly visible Media Information page (page for journalists):

Network: USFS Nationals
Password: Welcome1!

I couldn't tell you whether that is a backstage access point (with terrible coverage outside of the press area) or if it is a site-wide temporary SSID for the events using the arena's WiFi infrastructure.

ETA: I wouldn't have posted this if the SSID or password gave the impression that it was intended for press use only.

 

[ice coverage]

Is there Wi-Fi in the competition-rink seating area at Centene? I'm don't want to lug my tablet out there if there's no Wi-Fi.

In my experience today, Centene's public WiFi worked some of the time, but not all of the time.

I personally will refrain from abusing WiFi intended for journalists.
(Even though the page can be found.)

Sorry couldn't be on my phone when I was doing ice monitoring. It was open this a.m. then closed, but there were other spots for food in Centene.

There is no walkway between Centene and the casino, but there are restaurants available there.

No worries, and thanks for your reply.
When I finally got myself to Centene, I saw that the downstairs cafe was open. I liked the spicy cauliflower bites -- perhaps will order them again tomorrow.

FWIW, I was freezing in the arena (at spectator level) by the end of the day. Tomorrow I will bring a fourth outer layer.

And if anyone would be interested: When I was ready to leave my downtown hotel to go to Centene this afternoon, Lyft cost directly to Centene had decreased to $37 (it had been over $50 when I checked the app a couple of hours earlier).
App said that Lyft cost from airport to Centene would be $25, so I abandoned my previous thoughts of Metrolink+Lyft combination, which would not have saved too much money in this instance.

 

[YukiNieve]

The Wi-Fi at Centene didn't work for me 90% of the time, and I only had one bar on my Verizon phone, so I couldn't use X or Instagram at all.

The rink looks really new and clean, and reminds me of the Norwood rink.

I felt that it wasn't any colder than other rinks, but the seats are cold. I recommend bringing a cushion or towel to sit on.

 

[Richard]

One parking question, especially for @Richard and @peibeck.

I will be staying near Cherokee St., south of the downtown, and I'll be with a vehicle. SpotHero is showing a cheap option at 7th & Cerre, but the place is rated below 4 stars with no way to read reviews. Another cheap option is 1402 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., and it's got a slightly higher rating, but still not a great one. Any idea about issues? 1400 Washington Ave, near the MLK spot, has a much higher rating, but it's only a few blocks away.

Thanks for any tips. I am not elderly, wealthy, impaired, etc., so I am not interesting in paying more to park closer unless there is something like safety/crime going on .

@peibeck hit the nail on the head with the follow up response. I hope you get the chance to check out Cherokee Street while you're here. So many fantastic restaurants and places to check out!

 

[Carolla5501]

Consider considering how few journalists are likely to come to the events at the Centine center I doubt your use is going to impact them

In my experience today, Centene's public WiFi worked some of the time, but not all of the time.

I personally will refrain from abusing WiFi intended for journalists.
(Even though the page can be found.)

 

[ice coverage]

I personally will refrain from abusing WiFi intended for journalists.

My comment applies to any event at any venue.
I am by no means the only one here who is friendly with credentialed members of skating media, who provide content that I enjoy.
To me, seems unnecessary and disrespectful to run even a small risk of making their work any more difficult than it already is.

I am no techie, but I believe that uploading photographs/video eats up bandwidth.
I know of at least one credentialed photographer working at Centene, and there could be more on competition days.

ETA:​

I can see at least 5 credentialed photographers are shooting Junior RD at Centene today. I am thankful to all of them.
(At least 3 of them are credentialed photographers for Worlds, Olympics, Grand Prix series, etc. All over the world, not just in North America.)
p.s. I am in a good stretch of Centene's public WiFi working fine for me, at least for now.​

 

[waltzonice]

How is the parking situation at the Centene Center? Is it paid parking and if so, do we get in/out privileges?

 

[jkl]

Centene is a lovely rink. It is incredibly cold. A total of 6 people are sitting on the front row right now. No idea of how many have front row seats at Enterprise.

 

[acraven]

No programs for sale yet. We were told they'll be available tonight.

 

[LKR]

Sections 310-315 and 325 have been opened for the evening pairs and ladies free skate. Among the previously available sections, the event is practically sold out.

 

[Plusdinfo]

@peibeck hit the nail on the head with the follow up response. I hope you get the chance to check out Cherokee Street while you're here. So many fantastic restaurants and places to check out!

Thanks, @peibeck and @Richard for your help. I definitely plan to check out Cherokee Street, especially since I don't believe I was there in my other visits to the Lou.

I am open to any further tips that come to mind, especially for tours or museums. Some spots are closed for the season, but I want to hit some places I didn't fit in last time.

For anyone who is debating whether or not to try Italian food on The Hill, I wholeheartedly suggest it. Last trip, I enjoyed Favazza's. There was even great garlic bread brought out for free! I may seek out a different restaurant this time.

 

[peibeck]

For anyone who is debating whether or not to try Italian food on The Hill, I wholeheartedly suggest it. Last trip, I enjoyed Favazza's. There was even great garlic bread brought out for free! I may seek out a different restaurant this time.

I highly recommend La Terraza on Cherokee and Charlie Ghitto's in the Hill neighborhood.

 

[SidelineSkater]

I highly recommend La Terraza on Cherokee and Charlie Ghitto's in the Hill neighborhood.

There’s also a Charlie Gitto’s inside Hollywood Casino next to the Center Center.

 

[YukiNieve]

I feel colder here today.

 

[skipaway]

Flew in today on Delta. Shibutanis featured along with several Olympians in the Delta welcome commercial.
Delta is sponsoring the Olympic games. Will be interesting if the Shibs make the team.

 

[tony]

Coming early tomorrow morning, will see all senior practices. Trying to bounce back from 7pm-730am work schedule the last three days directly into 8am-10pm rink schedule. We’ll see

 

[Lanie]

Coming early tomorrow morning, will see all senior practices. Trying to bounce back from 7pm-730am work schedule the last three days directly into 8am-10pm rink schedule. We’ll see

You are CRAZY. See you Wednesday.

My flight gets in at 3pm. Flying American there but Delta to get out to Euros after Nats.

 

[HeatherC]

We will be arriving around 2-3 PM tomorrow (thankfully the weather looks great so I won't be driving in bad weather) but we aren't heading to the arena until Wednesday afternoon. Mom has been having some back troubles since the weekend so hopefully those settle down for her soon so she can enjoy our time in St. Louis.

 

[HeatherC]

We will be arriving around 2-3 PM tomorrow (thankfully the weather looks great so I won't be driving in bad weather) but we aren't heading to the arena until Wednesday afternoon. Mom has been having some back troubles since the weekend so hopefully those settle down for her soon so she can enjoy our time in St. Louis.

Don't know how I ended up quoting myself here but this does sum up how my brain has been functioning since the new year, LMAO

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I heard Rusty is back! Some may scoff, but those of whose ears barely survived his substitutes are so thankful.

 

[Carolla5501]

I heard Rusty is back! Some may scoff, but those of whose ears barely survived his substitutes are so thankful.

Rusty understands the microphone is connected to the sound system and you don't have to SHOUT into it for the audience to hear you LOL! (I think Ashley believed she had to project her voice by her diaphragm alone to the upper levels)

 

[tony]

I heard Rusty is back! Some may scoff, but those of whose ears barely survived his substitutes are so thankful.

They had Syke at Worlds who was infinitely better than anything else they’ve produced or allowed screeching into the microphones. But, of course, he knew nothing about skating and it was a one-time Boston radio personality kind of deal. They should’ve just contracted him on to everything in the US.

I just landed, 20 minutes early in fact. Running on nothing.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Rusty understands the microphone is connected to the sound system and you don't have to SHOUT into it for the audience to hear you LOL! (I think Ashley believed she had to project her voice by her diaphragm alone to the upper levels)

Ashley wasn’t the worst of the lot. The women they had in Allen and Wichita were beyond awful.

 

[Carolla5501]

Ashley wasn’t the worst of the lot. The women they had in Allen and Wichita were beyond awful.

I quit complaining about Rusty after I went to a USA Gymnastics competition in Tampa FL. The person they had made Rusty look like the most professional performer ever.. nightmare!

 

[gaduchess]

Thanks, @peibeck and @Richard for your help. I definitely plan to check out Cherokee Street, especially since I don't believe I was there in my other visits to the Lou.

I am open to any further tips that come to mind, especially for tours or museums. Some spots are closed for the season, but I want to hit some places I didn't fit in last time.

For anyone who is debating whether or not to try Italian food on The Hill, I wholeheartedly suggest it. Last trip, I enjoyed Favazza's. There was even great garlic bread brought out for free! I may seek out a different restaurant this time.

Five of us took the Clydesdale tour at Anheiser Busch on Sunday and enjoyed our upclose and personal time with Bandit, one of the smaller horses (only 1,800 pounds).

 

[jkl]

I’m staying at the Hilton Union Station. There is a sign in the lobby that discount tickets to US Nationals are available to Union Station visitors.

 

[acraven]

Still no programs at Centene. We now understand they are to be delivered by FedEx to the Enterprise Center and then brought to Centene. I believe they are not yet at the Enterprise Center. In fact, I'm not sure the printer has shipped them yet.

Edited to add: @Sylvia's posted bios have been very helpful.