2026-27 NQS Series (U.S. qualifying competition season dates/locations) & the new U.S. Development Team Championships

[Sylvia]

Announced on February 2, 2026:

U.S. Figure Skating Announces 2026-27 National Qualifying Series Schedule - U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating today announced the 2026-27 National Qualifying Series schedule for singles, pairs and ice dance disciplines.

usfigureskating.org

"Nearly 1,500 skaters from across the country will compete at 21 qualifying events in singles, pairs and ice dance. 
The National Qualifying Series begins in July and runs through October, culminating with the National Qualifying Series Finals, which take place in November."

2026-27 National Qualifying Series Finals Schedule: 
Nov. 2-8, 2026 (Singles, Pairs) - Eastern Sectional Singles & U.S. Pairs Final, Norwood, Mass. [SC of Boston]
Nov. 9-15, 2026 (Singles, Ice Dance) - Midwestern Sectional Singles & U.S. Ice Dance Final, Bloomfield Township, Mich. [Detroit SC]
Nov. 16-22, 2026 - Pacific Coast Sectional Singles Final (Singles), San Jose, Calif. [Peninsula SC]

"New this year, juvenile, intermediate and novice singles, pairs and ice dance athletes will have the opportunity to advance from the Finals to the new U.S. Development Team Championships." [to be held at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex in SLC, Utah on January 2-5, 2027]

More about USFS' new qualifying structure (September 23, 2025 recap): https://figureskatingboys.com/new-qualifying-structure/

 

[just tuned in]

So what do we all think about these changes?

(copying from the link)

# # #

Preliminary and Pre-Juvenile Enter the Pipeline​

Another big shift: preliminary and pre-juvenile singles will now be part of the National Qualifying Series (NQS). These athletes will be able to earn scores and potentially advance to their Sectional Singles Final, just like older levels.

• A total of 18 per event will qualify (4 per region + 6 best scores nationally).
• This provides an earlier entry point into the competitive track, giving kids and families a clearer sense of progression.

Smaller Groups at Sectionals​

For juvenile, intermediate, and novice singles, the number of qualifiers from NQS to Sectionals is being reduced from 24 skaters per section to 18. That means fewer spots overall, but also a more streamlined and competitive field.

# # #

Maybe the prelim finals will be something for fans to avoid, lest we want to uber babies.

Last year we were so glad to take the pressure of the young kids, but under the new rules, the pressure is on. :-(

 

[ice coverage]

A good reference page re 2026-27 USFS qualifying structure:

Pathway to National Team

Pathway to National Team

usfigureskating.org

(copying from the link)

# # #

Preliminary and Pre-Juvenile Enter the Pipeline​

Another big shift: preliminary and pre-juvenile singles will now be part of the National Qualifying Series (NQS). These athletes will be able to earn scores and potentially advance to their Sectional Singles Final, just like older levels.

• A total of 18 per event will qualify (4 per region + 6 best scores nationally).

For Preliminary and Pre-Juvenile singles:

They can advance only to sectionals. Not to any national championships.
4 per region + 6 best scores per section (not nationally) will advance to sectionals.​