Figure Skating World Championships 2026 in Prague: Fan Village, World Stars and a Grand Gala Show

Preparations for the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 in Prague are in full swing. In addition to top-class sporting competitions, visitors around the O2 Arena can also expect an extensive accompanying programme with a Fan Village, meetings with athletes and a spectacular opening ceremony.

Work on the training hall in the O2 universum has already begun. At the same time, the O2 Arena is being gradually transformed into a World Championship arena. On 24 March, all participants will test the competition ice for the first time during official practices. By then, the entire complex is expected to be fully prepared for the championships. A total of 179 athletes from 39 countries are travelling to Prague.

According to the organisers, the field includes eight of the twelve current Olympic medallists, promising a competition of the highest sporting level. Prague’s mayor, Bohuslav Svoboda, also described the championships as an important international sporting event for the city and an opportunity to present Prague once again as a host of major events.

Video: ISU Worlds 2026 Prague

World stars in the field

Among the most prominent names in ice dance are Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, who are aiming for another major success after their Olympic victory and European title. The Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier will also compete.

In the pairs competition, Olympic medallists Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava from Georgia will compete, as well as the German duo Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin.

In the individual competitions, Yuma Kagiyama, Shun Sato, Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai are among those expected to compete. Particular attention is also likely to focus on Ilia Malinin, who is hoping to make a strong statement in Prague after a disappointing performance at the Olympic Games.

Foto: ISU Worlds 2026

Commemorative stamp for the championships

To mark the tournament, Czech Post is issuing a commemorative stamp today, 18 March. The stamp, designed by Eliška Vojtěch, shows stylised figure skaters in front of the silhouette of Prague’s historic Old Town. A total of 600,000 copies will be issued.

Fan Village and spectacular opening

In addition to the competitions on the ice, the organisers are planning an extensive accompanying programme. From 25 to 29 March, a Fan & Shopping Village will open in the O2 universum, where visitors can meet athletes, buy official fan merchandise and take part in various activities.

The opening ceremony will begin on 25 March at 6 pm before the pairs short programme. Under the direction of Michal Caban, the arena will be transformed into a visually impressive stage with acrobatics, light installations and choreographies.

Foto: ISU Worlds 2026

To conclude the championships, a major gala show is planned for 29 March, during which selected athletes will appear on the ice once again.

The competitions officially begin on 25 March, with the first medals to be awarded in the pairs event on Thursday.

Further information and tickets are available on the official website at www.prague2026.org.



ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026
24–29 March 2026 | O2 Arena Prague
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