2026 Skate America Everett WA, Salt Lake City for 2027 U.S. Nationals

I'm surprised that both the Nationals and Skate America galas have gone away. I guess these lose money? Probably very few people buy individual tickets to the gala and it doesn't move the needle on all-event sales. If I wanted to go to an event enough to buy an all-event ticket, the inclusion or exclusion of a gala wouldn't change my mind about going.
 
I'm assuming it's a cost saving measure, but it stinks for the skaters who aren't getting the income from participating in the gala. (At least in the GP series, invitees got paid. I assume that was the case for Nats too?)
 
peibeck said:
I'm assuming it's a cost saving measure, but it stinks for the skaters who aren't getting the income from participating in the gala. (At least in the GP series, invitees got paid. I assume that was the case for Nats too?)
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I don’t believe skaters get paid for the Nats gala. But they were fun for fans and a good experience for the Junior skaters invited to perform. We got to see some great performances over the years.

USFS is already renting the arena on Sunday for the men's FS. I can't imagine a few more hours is significantly more expensive compared to what they've paid all week. No, the gala isn't make-or-break for fans buying all-event tickets but keeping ticket prices the same or higher while offering less (no gala, not including Junior or lower levels in "all-event") does not engender positive feelings among fans. And not smart given that USFS is in a position to bring in new fans following the Olys.
 
TanithandBenFan said:
I emailed USFS and there won’t be a gala at Nationals 🙁 Practices will be on the 5th and 6th. There will be three sessions on Thursday, two on Friday, two on Saturday, and the men’s FS on Sunday. I was not given the details of which sessions are on Thursday-Saturday but we can piece those together.
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Thanks for getting the official word about the (non-)gala. Too bad.

Debbie S said:
I don’t believe skaters get paid for the Nats gala. But they were fun for fans and a good experience for the Junior skaters invited to perform. ....
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Yes, I had been looking forward to the return of junior champions to the Nats gala. Sigh.
(I am not complaining about the complete focus on the Olympic team in 2026.)
(Idle thought: Sadly, it works out that scheduling junior competition after senior competition in 2027 does not matter in terms of the [non-]gala.)

There was a recent year (was it 2025?) when there were two options for Nat all-event packages: either with gala or without gala. (I chose the "with gala" option, which was understandably at a slightly higher total price.)
I wonder whether that year's sales data (whatever they were) played a role in the USFS decision to drop the gala for 2027??

Debbie S said:
... keeping ticket prices the same or higher while offering less (no gala, not including Junior or lower levels in "all-event") does not engender positive feelings among fans.
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Agree.
 
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ice coverage said:
There was that a recent year (was it 2025?) when there were two options for the Nat all-event package: either with gala or without gala. (I chose the "with gala" option, which was understandably at a slightly higher total price.)
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I don't remember the deal in 2025 but in San Jose, both 2018 and 2023, they offered with and without gala. For 2018, I initially chose w/o b/c the seats offerings were better (I think they alternated rows or something like that and I bought a few weeks after the sale date), planning to just buy gala seats on Ticketmaster when they went on sale, but then got an email from the arena offering me the option to add gala tix to my order so I did that.
 
Debbie S said:
I don't remember the deal in 2025 but in San Jose, both 2018 and 2023, they offered with and without gala. For 2018, I initially chose w/o b/c the seats offerings were better (I think they alternated rows or something like that and I bought a few weeks after the sale date), planning to just buy gala seats on Ticketmaster when they went on sale, but then got an email from the arena offering me the option to add gala tix to my order so I did that.
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Thanks, good to know. So USFS had data from further back for with gala vs. without gala.
(For the San Jose years, I did not pay attention to all-event offerings. Was just picking and choosing single-session tickets.)

Apologies, I must have totally misremembered what happened in 2025.
I just looked back at my receipt for 2025, and it says, "2025 US Figure Skating Championships All-Session with Juniors."
So I guess the two options in fact were: with Juniors vs. without Juniors.
Nothing to do with the gala. Sorry for my mistake.

Anyway, I don't really have any idea how the (non-)gala decision for 2027 came about.
I could be way off base, but I hope it did not originate from the new CEO who joined USFS in spring 2025. He did not come from a skating background, and maybe never experienced a gala in a non-Olympic season. Please take with many grains of salt.
(Not trying to say that a skating background ought to be a prerequisite for USFS CEO.)
 
Debbie S said:
USFS is already renting the arena on Sunday for the men's FS. I can't imagine a few more hours is significantly more expensive compared to what they've paid all week.
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With the gala and the men's FS on the same day, they can't start the venue break down until the next day. So perhaps they are saving a full day of rent if they can get it done after the men's event?

Regardless, I'm sure it's a cost saving move, just like no longer having the junior events on the same ice as seniors for several seasons now.
 
I would think the gala is a good way to bring in new fans of the sport who want to watch figure skating live in a show setting and get a taste of every discipline, but may not have the interest to sit through many hours of competition. It’s certainly what I’ve recommended to friends interested in seeing skating for the first time, since it’s an entertaining and fun show.

In Europe, the galas often are more well-attended than the competition (this was always the case at GP de France) and I wonder why the opposite seems to be true in North America. Maybe less advertising to the general public?
 
I think there may be a big surge in renewed interest in exhibition style skating in the U.S. after the Milan Olympics, as evidenced by the huge crowds at Stars on Ice. Big skating stars drive attendance, for competitions AND shows. If Alysa and Ilia and the Blade Angels, etc. compete at Nationals next year, as they are saying they likely will, I can imagine local interest would still be high in the Salt Lake City area and from diehard fans who fly to the event. Plus TV ratings and YouTube videos etc. for a gala skate of champions. All of it to capitalize on the momentum created in Milan for U.S. Figure Skating. My rink is loaded with new skaters from kids to adults wearing figure skates. This was not the case for the last many number of years when I saw few new figure skaters and way more new hockey skaters. USFS is making a big mistake not to capitalize on this surge in popularity in every way possible.

I’m also disappointed to not be able to see the juniors in person yet again this coming year and that the junior champions will not have a gala to recognize their achievement and give them a spotlight. I will plan on leaving Salt Lake after the men’s final and watching juniors on Peacock before the videos all disappear 😕
 
Honestly, the SOI show in SLC had probably the WORST attendance of this year's tour so far (only 2 shows left). In that regard, I can understand why the USFS decided to skip the Gala for 2027, if they're looking at how the exhibition-style SOI show went attendance-wise just 7.5 months out from Nationals.
 
Saatva has been named the title sponsor of Skate America 2026 and Skate America 2027.

www.saatva.com

Saatva Named Title Sponsor of Skate America 2026 and 2027 - Saatva Press Room

U.S. Figure Skating announces Saatva as the title sponsor of Skate America 2026 and 2027 ahead of the ISU Grand Prix competition in Everett, Washington, from November 13-15, 2026.
www.saatva.com www.saatva.com

Could this give Ilia a soft nudge to be at Skate America? (Saatva is one of his sponsors) 😁
 
2026 Skate America single session tickets for Everett, WA are on sale now: https://usfigureskating.org/news/20...or-2026-saatva-skate-america-on-sale-now.aspx

All times Pacific; Subject to change

Thursday, Nov. 12
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT | Official Practice

Friday, Nov. 13
SESSION 1 | 7 p.m. PT | Men's Short Program and Pairs Short Program

Saturday, Nov. 14
SESSION 2 | 11:15 a.m. PT | Rhythm Dance and Women's Short Program
SESSION 3 | 7 p.m. PT | Men's Free Skate and Pairs Free Skate

Sunday, Nov. 15
SESSION 4 | 11 a.m. PT | Free Dance and Women's Free Skate

Event website: https://usfigureskating.org/feature/2026SkateAmerica
 
I asked admin to remove "Date Change" from the thread title.

In the meantime, USFS did IG reel to have all assigned skaters say this 😂 :

"We can't wait to hit the ice in November for Saatva Skate America in Everett Washington. Single session tickets are on sale now. See you there!"

www.instagram.com

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "IMPORTANT @saatva SKATE AMERICA ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️🗣️ Link in bio to secure your seats."

44K likes, 154 comments - usfigureskating on July 16, 2026: "IMPORTANT @saatva SKATE AMERICA ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️🗣️ Link in bio to secure your seats.".
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
 
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YukiNieve said:
I asked admin to remove "Date Change" from the thread title.

In the meantime, USFS did IG reel to have all assigned skaters say this 😂 :

"We can't wait to hit the ice in November for Saatva Skate America in Everett Washington. Single session tickets are on sale now. See you there!"

www.instagram.com

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "IMPORTANT @saatva SKATE AMERICA ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️🗣️ Link in bio to secure your seats."

44K likes, 154 comments - usfigureskating on July 16, 2026: "IMPORTANT @saatva SKATE AMERICA ANNOUNCEMENT ‼️🗣️ Link in bio to secure your seats.".
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
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Anyone else notice that Wolfkostin/Tsarevski and Neset/Markelov appear in this video?
 
Karen-W said:
Anyone else notice that Wolfkostin/Tsarevski and Neset/Markelov appear in this video?
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Yes. I just asked in the GP assignment thread whether anyone thought that these are the American skaters who are actually going to be at Skate America. The TBDs have not been filled as far as I know, and some of the skaters who already were assigned have indicated that they might not do the GP.
 
YukiNieve said:
Saatva has been named the title sponsor of Skate America 2026 and Skate America 2027.
Click to expand...

USFS spies on here (hi!!! 👋 ) saw discussions of the ladiezzzzz and refrigerator break skaters, and decided to capitalize on the marketing potential of having a snooze during competitions....
 
So based on Jason's IG and other USFS posts, these skaters were at the Camp 2030 in Colorado Springs:

Women: Alysa, Isabeau, Amber, Sarah
Men: Jason, Jacob
Daince: Emilea & Vadym, Christina & Anthony, Eva & Logan, Emily (& Ian ?), Carolina (& Michael?)
Pair: Alisa & Misha, Valentina & Max

Not sure where they were when the promo video for Saatva Skate America was filmed:
Ilia, Lea & Artem, Katarina & Dimitry
 
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I've since moved my post to the U.S. Ice Dance news thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...of-the-skate-guard.113906/page-2#post-6941622

ETA:
YukiNieve said:
I asked admin to remove "Date Change" from the thread title.
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Apparently "Date Change" was added by an Admin to my original thread title sometime after April 7 (when Skate America got moved to November 13-15, 2026).

The change re. the 2027 U.S. Nationals Junior and below event dates (big sigh) also was posted in this thread - on May 15:
TanithandBenFan said:
Another date change! Just got an email that the 2027 Development Championships have been changed to Jan 10-14 at the SLC Sports Center. They were formerly Jan 2-5. It appears the junior events have also been moved according to the official website.
Click to expand...
 
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Bumping up this thread... (thanks for the title edits!).

Regarding the 2027 US Nationals, is it correct that there will be no practice (that is open to the public) on January 5, Tuesday?

And am I the only one who still can't see anything on the official website? :unsure:
usfigureskating.org

National Team: Figure Skating - 2027 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

2027 U.S. Figure Skating Championships for U.S. Figure Skating Association National Team: Figure Skating
usfigureskating.org
 
YukiNieve said:
Bumping up this thread... (thanks for the title edits!).

Regarding the 2027 US Nationals, is it correct that there will be no practice (that is open to the public) on January 5, Tuesday?

And am I the only one who still can't see anything on the official website? :unsure:
usfigureskating.org

National Team: Figure Skating - 2027 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

2027 U.S. Figure Skating Championships for U.S. Figure Skating Association National Team: Figure Skating
usfigureskating.org
Click to expand...
No, there's very little there.
 
Aceon6 said:
So much for trying to cater to the next generation of fans. Keep aligning with snake oil for your brain.
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Way to judge a decision without knowing any critical information that would have gone into the decision-making process... Like whether or not there were any other companies interested in sponsoring the event that were even in the ballpark of what Prevagen was willing to offer.
 
Karen-W said:
Way to judge a decision without knowing any critical information that would have gone into the decision-making process... Like whether or not there were any other companies interested in sponsoring the event that were even in the ballpark of what Prevagen was willing to offer.
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Yes, I’m fully aware that it’s about $$$. That said, USFS should be bending over backwards to find relevant partnerships for 2030.
 
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