Figure skating team event at Winter Olympics 2026: When does it start, top athletes and how to watch

Stars to watch in figure skating team event at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

The depth of USA and Japan, the reigning gold and silver medallists looks difficult to be matched by the rest of the field, particularly in the two singles departments.

Ilia Malinin, Kagiyama Yuma and Sato Shun were a class apart at the Grand Prix Final in December, occupying the top three men’s spots.

The women are equally dominant, with the US having World and GP Final champion Alysa Liu, three-time national champion Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito to choose from while Japan boast three-time world champion Sakamoto Kaori, rising 17-year-old phenom Nakai Ami and Chiba Mone, the only female skater with two GP events this season.

The point of difference between the two will likely be in the pairs and ice dance.

Japan are pinning their hopes of a first-ever couples medal in pairs world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, and USA’s triple world champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates are targeting their elusive first ice dance gold medal.