‘26-27 Site Rumors Nationals & Skate America

[TanithandBenFan]

Skate America is fun and I’ll always go unless it’s in Lake Placid, but there’s nothing like the emotion of Nationals. It’s just so special.

 

[HeatherC]

I have attended quite a few Skate Americas and several Skate Canadas but US Nats will always hold a special place in my heart because it's just a different sort of experience as a skating fan. From attending US Nats for so many years, I've literally watched some of these skaters from when they were just starting off to when they win World or Olympic gold medals (looking at you Nathan Chen, Chock & Bates, and Alysa Liu among others). Everyone is different though and I don't think there's a right or wrong answer here so of course this is just my opinion. There's also the benefit of spending a long amount of time with great friends that I only get to see once a year so that counts for me as well. I am SO ready for St. Louis!

 

[Aimless]

Skate America is fun and I’ll always go unless it’s in Lake Placid, but there’s nothing like the emotion of Nationals. It’s just so special.

OTOH, I’ll never go to SA unless it’s in Lake Placid.

 

[MacMadame]

I enjoyed Skate America the few times I went but it's not really enough skaters. At least the GPF has the Juniors so you get more skating. I think Nationals is fine if you don't try to do everything.

I don't like how Nationals structured the FS/FD this year. With the first groups being done much earlier than the final groups. It's just weird and makes it seem like those first groups don't count. If they are going to do something like that, just have the final groups advance from the SP and don't pretend they care about the first group and their results.

 

[tony]

I enjoyed Skate America the few times I went but it's not really enough skaters. At least the GPF has the Juniors so you get more skating. I think Nationals is fine if you don't try to do everything.

Senior and junior singles fields have 12 skaters total in the Final, which is the same as any regular-season Grand Prix. The dancer and pairs fields are smaller at GP regular season events, but not drastically so.

Anyways, I much preferred Dallas. If it weren’t for my friend who already had everything lined up including transport from Albany to Lake Placid, I wouldn’t have went. Way too much work with the logistics of available flights, having to stay Sunday afternoon with the way they have events that day, and so on. The town was charming, but too much work.

 

[BittyBug]

I don't like how Nationals structured the FS/FD this year. With the first groups being done much earlier than the final groups. It's just weird and makes it seem like those first groups don't count. If they are going to do something like that, just have the final groups advance from the SP and don't pretend they care about the first group and their results.

They've been doing it like that for years now for TV, so that they can show the final flights live. And yeah, it's rude.

 

[ChillSkate]

I completely loved having Skate America in Allen, TX and hope it comes back, if not in 2026 hopefully some time in the next Olympic cycle.

I saw Allen is a stop on the Stars on Ice tour, so hopefully that bodes well for it having Skate America again in the future.

 

[MacMadame]

They've been doing it like that for years now for TV, so that they can show the final flights live. And yeah, it's rude.

They've done that with 1 or 2 events but this year they are doing it with all four senior events.

 

[Rob]

I love Lake Placid and go there for vacation anyway so one more trip is great for me. It’s a long drive, but no trains or planes, plus my friend has a house on Main next to the Golden Arrow so I have a free stay for as long as I want. I went to LP 3 times in 2025.

 

[FigureSkatingLand]

I'm all in on them coming to Columbus, OH again. That US Nats was incredibly well run, in a great area with lots of food options, and the ice issue would be non existent since they are such a big complex with the practice rink right there. It's also not far from the airport. Come back to Ohio!

Agreed! I selfishly want it to go back there because it’s only a 2.5 hour drive for me… but man the atmosphere in that arena was amazing!

 

[Lanie]

I really loved Lake Placid getting there was a pain in the butt. I’m so grateful that @Firedancer could pick me up at the airport!

I would love for a skating event to come near me, but I don’t think that would happen. I think Columbus was probably the best nationals I’ve been to because everyone was so into it.

 

[clairecloutier]

I'd be happy if Nationals were in Columbus again, just because it was amazing having the practice rink in the same building. Hard to beat that setup from a practical standpoint. Also lots of hotels within very easy walking distance. Logistically, it was very convenient, and the crowds were great.