The 2027 ISU World Figure Skating Championships take place from Monday 15 March to Sunday 21 March 2027 at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland. The annual championship is the most prestigious event on the figure skating calendar outside the Winter Olympics, featuring the world’s leading skaters across men’s, women’s, pairs and ice dance disciplines.
What is the World Figure Skating Championships?
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition organised by the International Skating Union (ISU). First held in 1896, it crowns world champions in four disciplines: men’s singles, women’s singles, pair skating and ice dance. Skaters qualify through their national federations based on results in domestic championships and international assignments.
Each discipline is contested over two segments. Singles and pairs skate a short programme followed by a free skate. Ice dance features a rhythm dance and a free dance. Combined scores from both segments determine the final standings, with the gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the top three in each discipline. Results also determine the number of entries each country receives at the following year’s championships.
When is the World Figure Skating Championships 2027?
The 2027 World Figure Skating Championships run from Monday 15 March to Sunday 21 March 2027. The competition opens with the pairs short programme and ice dance rhythm dance early in the week, followed by the men’s and women’s short programmes mid-week, and the free skate finals across the weekend. The exact daily schedule is confirmed by the ISU closer to the event.
Where is the World Figure Skating Championships 2027?
Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland hosts the 2027 World Championships. The arena, which opened in 2021, is the largest indoor arena in the Nordic countries with a capacity of around 13,500 for ice events. Tampere is Finland’s third-largest city, located approximately 180 kilometres north of Helsinki. Finland was selected as host by the ISU Council, with the country last hosting the World Championships in 1999 in Helsinki.
Key Contenders
The men’s competition continues to feature the leading Japanese, American and European skaters who have dominated recent World Championships. Reigning Olympic and world medal contenders from Japan, the United States, France and Italy are expected to lead the field. The women’s event has been shaped by a strong contingent from the United States, Japan and South Korea, with the absence of Russian skaters from international competition continuing.
In pair skating, German, Italian, Canadian and Japanese teams are likely podium contenders. Ice dance is traditionally led by teams from Canada, the United States, Italy and France, with multiple world champions from those federations consistently challenging for the title. The defending world champions from each discipline at the 2026 championships will return to defend their titles in Tampere.
How to Watch
In Europe, Eurosport and discovery+ hold the primary broadcast rights and stream all four disciplines live. In the United States, NBC and the NBC Sports app cover the championships, with selected sessions on Peacock. In Canada, CBC and TSN share coverage. In Japan, Fuji TV broadcasts the event with extensive coverage of the men’s and women’s competitions. In the United Kingdom, Eurosport on Discovery+ provides the most comprehensive live coverage. In Finland, Yle is the host broadcaster.
History and Records
The first World Figure Skating Championships were held in 1896 in St Petersburg, when only men competed. Women’s, pairs and ice dance disciplines were added in subsequent decades, with ice dance becoming an official championship discipline in 1952. Sonja Henie of Norway holds the record for most women’s world titles with 10 consecutive wins from 1927 to 1936. Ulrich Salchow of Sweden won 10 men’s titles between 1901 and 1911.
In the modern era, Russian, Japanese and American skaters have dominated. The championships have been held in Finland twice before, with Helsinki staging the event in 1983 and 1999.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets are sold via the official championships website and the ISU’s appointed ticketing partner. All-event passes, day tickets and gala-only options are available. Practice sessions are typically free or low-cost. The Sunday exhibition gala, featuring the medallists and invited skaters, is one of the most popular sessions and tends to sell out quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the World Figure Skating Championships 2027 start?
Monday 15 March 2027, with competition running through to Sunday 21 March.
Where is the World Figure Skating Championships 2027 being held?
Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland.
How can I watch the World Figure Skating Championships 2027?
Eurosport and discovery+ across Europe, NBC and Peacock in the United States, CBC and TSN in Canada, Fuji TV in Japan.
Who won the last World Figure Skating Championships?
Champions from the 2026 World Championships in Prague will defend their titles in Tampere across all four disciplines.