2026 U.S. Nationals - St. Louis!

[once_upon]

Well you know I have no knowledge of skating

 

[sk9tingfan]

yes, it was since the three compulsory dances that season were

​

2005-2006

Yankee Polka, Ravensburger Waltz, Tango Romantica

I will consider to go since I have never been into US Nationals before

Please go while you can.

 

[HeatherC]

@TanithandBenFan Haha, I LOVE that pic of the epic Tanith perk!

 

[Flip Jump]

Has anyone heard if Friends of Figure Skating Members will have early access to tickets for this event?
Trying to plan to hopefully get our usual seats!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Has anyone heard if Friends of Figure Skating Members will have early access to tickets for this event?
Trying to plan to hopefully get our usual seats!

It’s part of the member benefits so we should get it. Not that I’ve received my member gifts for this year yet though. I inquired last month and was told “soon.”

 

[jkl]

I just spoke with a very lovely member of the St Louis Sports Commission. They hope to have tickets on sale January 16. If that doesn’t work out it will be the following week. She volunteered that the delay was due to NBC wanting to change the schedule since it is an Olympic year.
I asked about the temperature in the arena and was told that between 2018 and 2020 the arena went through a massive renovation. She said they have heard lots of compliments about the concessions, seating and yes the temperature.
St Louis 2026 will have a booth in Wichita on January 23-24-25. They will be leaving on Sunday.
They will also have a booth in Boston.
She knew there would be a presale but since it was USFS she did it know any details.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I just spoke with a very lovely member of the St Louis Sports Commission. They hope to have tickets on sale January 16. If that doesn’t work out it will be the following week. She volunteered that the delay was due to NBC wanting to change the schedule since it is an Olympic year.
I asked about the temperature in the arena and was told that between 2018 and 2020 the arena went through a massive renovation. She said they have heard lots of compliments about the concessions, seating and yes the temperature.
St Louis 2026 will have a booth in Wichita on January 23-24-25. They will be leaving on Sunday.
They will also have a booth in Boston.
She knew there would be a presale but since it was USFS she did it know any details.

I can guarantee the presale will be Jan. 21 when I’m on a plane to Wichita lol.

Glad they’ll have a booth so we can start harassing them about the bag policy

 

[Debbie S]

Given this year's split event nonsense, I'm scared to ponder what schedule changes NBC could be requesting.

 

[Karen-W]

I just spoke with a very lovely member of the St Louis Sports Commission. They hope to have tickets on sale January 16. If that doesn’t work out it will be the following week. She volunteered that the delay was due to NBC wanting to change the schedule since it is an Olympic year.

Greaaaaat... What sort of changes will NBC get themselves up to? Let's take a guess, shall we?

Given this year's split event nonsense, I'm scared to ponder what schedule changes NBC could be requesting.

Oh, come on... I think it actually could be better than the nonsense we've got this year.

Many of us wondered why the USFS/NBC have the Pairs FS on Saturday evening (on USA). I'm betting the plan is to have NBC flagship coverage on Friday & Saturday evenings, as well as Saturday & Sunday afternoons. And possibly NBC coverage on Thursday evening as well.

Thursday afternoon (USA) - Pairs SP
Thursday evening (NBC) - Women's SP
Friday afternoon (USA) - Dance RD
Friday evening (NBC) - Men's SP
Saturday early afternoon (Peacock only) - Pairs FS Groups 1 & 2; Dance FD Group 1
Saturday late afternoon (NBC) - Pairs FS Group 3, Dance FD Groups 2 & 3 (though it could easily wind up with Group 2 going earlier & only Group 3 showsn)
Saturday evening (NBC) - Women's FS
Sunday afternoon (NBC) - Men's FS

Thoughts?

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I’m not sure why they need to delay selling All Event tickets for schedule changes within the event. We don’t usually get a detailed schedule until after tickets go on sale. The only change that would matter is if they changed the dates completely, which surely they couldn’t do this late in the game with the arena booked?

 

[Spikefan]

That weekend will be the final weekend for the NFL regular season. I didn’t pay attention this year but did NBC have any of those? I know there were games on Thursday/Saturday/Sunday.

 

[Debbie S]

Glad they’ll have a booth so we can start harassing them about the bag policy

According to the arena website, a bag just needs to be smaller than 16x16 inches. It also says "Clutches no larger than 6” x 4” x 1.5” are permitted after visual inspection and will not be subject to x-ray screening", so it sounds like bags larger than that are allowed, they just need to be x-rayed.

We can focus on harassing the Worlds people about their bag policy instead.

 

[Karen-W]

That weekend will be the final weekend for the NFL regular season. I didn’t pay attention this year but did NBC have any of those? I know there were games on Thursday/Saturday/Sunday.

According to Wikipedia's overview of the NFL broadcasting partners, NBC has the NFL Sunday night package, so there won't be any conflict with NBC putting whatever they want on NBC v. USA any of the days of competition.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

According to the arena website, a bag just needs to be smaller than 16x16 inches. It also says "Clutches no larger than 6” x 4” x 1.5” are permitted after visual inspection and will not be subject to x-ray screening", so it sounds like bags larger than that are allowed, they just need to be x-rayed.

We can focus on harassing the Worlds people about their bag policy instead.

Oh good! I must have misread when I saw the note about the clutches.

 

[skipaway]

Just received this email: See prices below The exclusive Friends of Figure Skating presale for all-session tickets to the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships opens Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. CT. Currently slated for Jan. 5-11 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, the U.S. Championships will serve as the final qualifying event prior to the selection of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team that will represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. When the ticket window opens at 10 a.m., you will receive an email with a link to the ticket site and a code to access the presale. This code will be active for 48 hours. The schedule is still being finalized, but all-session tickets include access to all championship, junior and novice events, and one TBA special event on Sunday, Jan. 11. Also included is admission to all championship-level practices, which begin Tuesday, Jan. 6. Championship-level events will run Wednesday, Jan. 7, through Saturday, Jan. 10. Please be aware, P1 tickets will now be separated into P1A and P1B. P1A includes all front row seats, and P1B is rows 2-4 near the ice. We will provide an approximate seating map on Tuesday morning, but for reference, the officials stand will be in section 103, and the kiss and cry will be near sections 122 and 123. All-session ticket prices are as follows (includes taxes and fees): P1A Level Seats: $1,650 P1B Level Seats: $985 P2 Level Seats: $625 P3 Level Seats: $345

Hotels Those who purchase all-session tickets will also have exclusive access to U.S. Figure Skating's hotel block. Information will be sent out at a later date.

 

[Debbie S]

"One TBA special event on Sunday, Jan 12".....like, the gala? Or are they not having a gala?

Interesting it says we get access to the Senior-level practices...so we can't watch the Junior or Novice practices?

 

[Sylvia]

"One TBA special event on Sunday, Jan 12".....like, the gala? Or are they not having a gala?

Announcement of the 2026 Olympic team!

Interesting it says we get access to the Senior-level practices...so we can't watch the Junior or Novice practices?

I think USFS just assumes that fans only care about the Senior practices. Very few fans watch Junior & Novice practices (I'm in the minority. )

 

[Spikefan]

I’m glad the taxes and fees are in the up-front total.

 

[Karen-W]

The schedule is still being finalized, but all-session tickets include access to all championship, junior and novice events, and one TBA special event on Sunday, Jan. 11. Also included is admission to all championship-level practices, which begin Tuesday, Jan. 6. Championship-level events will run Wednesday, Jan. 7, through Saturday, Jan. 10.

"One TBA special event on Sunday, Jan 12".....like, the gala? Or are they not having a gala?

Announcement of the 2026 Olympic team!

That would make sense. But it's going to annoy the f*ck out of everyone if we have to wait 12-14 hours for that announcement once the competition is over. It's bad enough waiting the 1-2 hours it's taken the last few Olympic years.

Also interesting is they're moving the Championship events up a day. This is going to be a very different schedule, I think, than what we've had in the past several years where the Jr & Novice events have been on Tuesday & Wednesday except for Jr Women ending on Thursday.

Possible schedule???
Tue Jan 6th -
Novice Pairs SP
Jr Pairs SP
Novice Ice Dance PD
Jr Ice Dance SP
Jr Men SP

Wed Jan 7th -
Jr Women SP
Novice Pairs FS
Jr Pairs FS
Jr Men FS
Sr Women SP

Thu Jan 8th -
Novice Ice Dance FD
Jr Ice Dance FD
Sr Pairs SP
Sr Men SP

Fri Jan 9th -
Jr Women FS
Sr Ice Dance RD
Sr Women FS

Sat Jan 10th -
Sr Pairs FS
Sr Ice Dance FD
Sr Men FS

 

[Jarrett]

“Currently slated for Jan. 5-11” frankly I have a little faith in the USFSA, the LOC and NBC to make the right choice for the athletes and fans who are attending in person. I’m done after Nationals in Kansas and Worlds in Boston.

With “body of work” I don’t even know what the point of nationals is anymore.

 

[DreamSkates]

Greaaaaat... What sort of changes will NBC get themselves up to? Let's take a guess, shall we?

Oh, come on... I think it actually could be better than the nonsense we've got this year.

Many of us wondered why the USFS/NBC have the Pairs FS on Saturday evening (on USA). I'm betting the plan is to have NBC flagship coverage on Friday & Saturday evenings, as well as Saturday & Sunday afternoons. And possibly NBC coverage on Thursday evening as well.

Thursday afternoon (USA) - Pairs SP
Thursday evening (NBC) - Women's SP
Friday afternoon (USA) - Dance RD
Friday evening (NBC) - Men's SP
Saturday early afternoon (Peacock only) - Pairs FS Groups 1 & 2; Dance FD Group 1
Saturday late afternoon (NBC) - Pairs FS Group 3, Dance FD Groups 2 & 3 (though it could easily wind up with Group 2 going earlier & only Group 3 showsn)
Saturday evening (NBC) - Women's FS
Sunday afternoon (NBC) - Men's FS

Thoughts?

Will NBC show the entire SP? But I'll probably watch on Peacock hopefully with no commentary.

 

[Debbie S]

Announcement of the 2026 Olympic team!

Didn't they do something like that last time, at the start of the gala? I wasn't there but didn't they have the skaters walk out from behind a curtain and wave? It was nice but not sure I'd call it a "special event" in and of itself.

I remember in 2014, they tried to do a live announcement of the men's team (the only skaters not yet announced) during the gala, with the USFS president backstage with Jason and Jeremy, and then the sound didn't work.

I initially missed the part about events ending on Saturday. That's definitely a better schedule for the men.

 

[Spikefan]

Wed Jan 7th -
Jr Women SP
Novice Pairs FS
Jr Pairs FS
Jr Men FS
Sr Women SP

This is probably close to the plan. I really wish they released the full senior schedule early. If it’s Wed-Sat I need to travel Tuesday/Sunday. If it’s Th-Sun I need to travel Wed/Monday. This is why they cannot get those of us that are not retired to live comps. I have 4 business days. Plus you have to book the hotel early and if the schedule is not out you could do the wrong nights, costing $ to reschedule.

 

[Karen-W]

Didn't they do something like that last time, at the start of the gala? I wasn't there but didn't they have the skaters walk out from behind a curtain and wave? It was nice but not sure I'd call it a "special event" in and of itself.

I remember in 2014, they tried to do a live announcement of the men's team (the only skaters not yet announced) during the gala, with the USFS president backstage with Jason and Jeremy, and then the sound didn't work.

I initially missed the part about events ending on Saturday. That's definitely a better schedule for the men.

They definitely had a walk-out/introduction for the Women & Pairs skaters named in 2022. I can't remember if they did the same with Ice Dance after they were named. They did NOT do that with the Men.

What I'd really like to see/know is if they're going with a similar BOW tiered selection process like they did in 2022. It took some of the question out of some of the selections - Nathan, Vincent, Alysa, KniFraz, HubDon & ChoBat all came in with their spots essentially assured provided they didn't implode at Nats, but there were definitely questions for the rest of the spots.

 

[peibeck]

All-session ticket prices are as follows (includes taxes and fees): P1A Level Seats: $1,650 P1B Level Seats: $985 P2 Level Seats: $625 P3 Level Seats: $345

I get that it's an Olympic year, but really... ? A nearly $600 uptick in prices for the first row over this year??? (Up $85 and $75, respectively, for P2 and P3 pricing).

 

[ice coverage]

Announcement of the 2026 Olympic team!

Didn't they do something like that last time, at the start of the gala? I wasn't there but didn't they have the skaters walk out from behind a curtain and wave? It was nice but not sure I'd call it a "special event" in and of itself.

2022 Nats gala in Nashville included a presentation of/to the new Olympic team. As someone who was on site, I would say that it was as "special"/memorable for me as could be expected under the circumstances -- COVID meant that human interaction [ETA: physical interaction, such as celebratory hugging] was not possible (and that three team members could not participate in person).
(The team selections all had been announced before the gala; the selections from men's discipline were the last to be announced, at a backstage presser shortly before the gala.)

Video of the Olympic presentation is in an old Reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FigureSkating/comments/s0bj1j/introducing_the_us_olympic_team_gala_exhibition/

IIRC, the presentation was at beginning of second half of the gala (I couldn't quite hear Rusty and Brian Boitano in the video, but I think that is what they say too). As the (double-)masked skaters were announced introduced individually, they took the ice and lined up adjacent to cloaked gifts that were waiting for them. A group unveiling revealed ... special edition Olympic Team / Destination Beijing guitars, courtesy of Nashville Sports Council and Nashville-based Gibson Guitars.

 

[Debbie S]

Oh, that's right....I forgot about the guitars! That was a nice gesture.

 

[Karen-W]

2022 Nats gala in Nashville included a presentation of/to the new Olympic team. As someone who was on site, I would say that it was as "special"/memorable for me as could be expected under the circumstances -- COVID meant that human interaction was not possible (and that three team members could not participate in person).
(The team members all had been announced before the gala; the members from men's discipline were the last to be announced, at a backstage presser shortly before the gala.)

Video of the presentation is in an old Reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FigureSkating/comments/s0bj1j/introducing_the_us_olympic_team_gala_exhibition/

IIRC, the presentation was at beginning of second half of the gala (I couldn't quite hear Rusty and Brian Boitano in the video, but I think that is what they say too). As the masked skaters were announced individually, they took the ice and lined up in front of cloaked gifts that were waiting for them. A group unveiling revealed ... special edition Olympic Team / Destination Beijing guitars, a gift from Nashville Sports Council and Nashville-based Gibson Guitars.

I remember the guitars now that you mention them. Those were rather cool, one-of-a-kind gifts.

 

[Spikefan]

St Louis will provide blocks of provel cheese.

 

[Carolla5501]

I get that it's an Olympic year, but really... ? A nearly $600 uptick in prices for the first row over this year??? (Up $85 and $75, respectively, for P2 and P3 pricing).

I think they’re basically pricing me out. I’ll probably continue to go to some events. I’m not going yo buy all event tickets anymore and be subject to US figure skating abuse of the fans. Look at what happened to the schedule this year. You bought tickets with one schedule and now it’s like oh we wanted to change it and make it really bizarre because of tv which will still get pathetically bad ratings. They don’t understand how to market the sport, they don’t understand how to get fans and they are basically fleecing those that they do have.

I’m not saying I have the answers, but I do know that continuing to do the same thing you’ve always done and expecting different results is the definition of insanity