Running from January 21–25, 2026, at the historic National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, the 2026 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships have officially begun. This prestigious event is a high-stakes dress rehearsal for the world’s finest skaters from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania as the last significant worldwide gathering before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
Fans can expect stunning performances throughout the Men’s, Women’s, Pairs, and Ice Dance categories, given that Olympic ambitions are in the line. Although some top medal contenders are slowing their schedules for Italy, the field is still loaded with luminaries such as Mikhail Shaidorov and up-and-coming South Korean players. Whether you are searching for aesthetic flair or technical accuracy, Beijing is once again the focal point of the figure skating scene.
2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Viewing Information
- Date: January 21–25, 2026.
- Venue: National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China.
- Start time: 11:15 PM ET.
- Watch Live Stream: Start Watching Live Online (Available Worldwide)
The Significance of the Four Continents
Established in 1999, the Four Continents Championships were created to provide skaters from non-European nations a competition of equal standing to the centuries-old European Championships. While Europe has its own historic rivalry, the Four Continents has become the primary battleground for the world’s most dominant skating federations: Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Canada.
In an Olympic year, the timing is everything. For many athletes, Beijing is the place to solidify their ranking, finalize their technical content, and earn the “momentum” that can sway judges’ program components scores when they arrive in Italy next month.
2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Schedule
| Date | Time (EST) | Segment |
| Wed, Jan 21 | 11:15 PM | Women’s Short Program |
| Thu, Jan 22 | 3:30 AM | Ice Dance Rhythm Dance |
| Thu, Jan 22 | 7:00 AM | Pairs’ Short Program |
| Thu, Jan 22 | 11:00 PM | Ice Dance Free Dance (Medals) |
| Fri, Jan 23 | 5:00 AM | Women’s Free Skating (Medals) |
| Fri, Jan 23 | 11:10 PM | Men’s Short Program |
| Sat, Jan 24 | 6:45 AM | Pairs’ Free Skating (Medals) |
| Sat, Jan 24 | 11:00 PM | Men’s Free Skating (Medals) |
| Sun, Jan 25 | 4:00 AM | Exhibition Gala |
How to watch 2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Live From Anywhere
To watch the 2026 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships live from anywhere, your best options depend on your location. In the U.S., every segment streams live on Peacock, with TV coverage on NBC and E!. Canadian fans can watch for free via CBC Sports and the CBC Gem app. Australian viewers can access free live streams on SBS On Demand.
Internationally, the ISU Skating YouTube channel provides free coverage in many regions. To watch from anywhere, regardless of geo-blocks, fans often use a VPN to access the ISU YouTube or SBS streams.
Preview for the 2026 Four Continents Figure Skating
The 2026 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Beijing (January 21–25) serve as the final high-stakes rehearsal before the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Held at the National Indoor Stadium, this prestigious event features top skaters from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. In the men’s singles, defending champion Mikhail Shaidorov faces intense competition from Cha Jun-hwan and home-ice hero Jin Boyang.
The women’s field is highlighted by Japan’s Chiba Mone and U.S. stars Bradie Tennell and Sarah Everhardt. A standout storyline is the competitive return of Olympic legends Sui Wenjing and Han Cong in pairs. For every athlete, Beijing is the last chance to refine technical elements and build crucial momentum before the Olympic spotlight shines in Italy.
The Venue: Beijing’s National Indoor Stadium
The National Indoor Stadium, known for its distinctive “fan-like” architecture, serves as the perfect backdrop for this historic event. After the 2022 Winter Games, China has invested heavily in maintaining its Olympic infrastructure. By hosting the 2026 Four Continents, Beijing reaffirms its status as a global hub for winter sports.
For the athletes, returning to Beijing is often emotional. For skaters like Jin Boyang and the legendary pair Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, this rink represents the pinnacle of their careers. The ice is known for being fast and cold—ideal for the high-impact quadruple jumps that define the modern era.
Men’s Singles: A Clash of Power and Artistry
The Men’s field in 2026 is a fascinating mix of established giants and hungry newcomers. While some Olympic favorites like Ilia Malinin (USA) and Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) have opted to train privately in the final weeks before the Games, the competition in Beijing remains world-class.
The Defending Champion: Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ)
Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov arrives in Beijing looking to defend his title. Often cited as the spiritual successor to the late Olympic medalist Denis Ten, Shaidorov has become a technical force. Known for his historic triple Axel-quadruple toe-loop combination, he brings a level of raw power that few can match. For Shaidorov, a second consecutive Four Continents gold would make him the clear “dark horse” for an Olympic medal in Italy.
The Artist: Cha Jun-hwan (KOR)
South Korea’s Cha Jun-hwan is arguably the most elegant skater in the field. Preparing for his third consecutive Olympic Games, Cha has recently battled ankle issues and boot problems. However, his performance at the South Korean Nationals earlier this month proved he is back in form. His “moonwalk” and deep edges are crowd favorites, and a win here would be his first major title since 2022.
The Hometown Hero: Jin Boyang (CHN)
At 28, Jin Boyang is the veteran of the group. A former world medalist and the 2018 Four Continents champion, Jin remains a beloved figure in Chinese skating. While his jump consistency has fluctuated, the energy of a home crowd at the National Indoor Stadium could propel him back onto the podium.
Women’s Singles: The Battle of the New Guard
In recent years, the Women’s discipline has seen a shift toward incredible technical depth from Japan and South Korea, while the United States continues to build a resilient squad of veterans and teens.
The Japanese Powerhouse: Chiba Mone & Nakai Ami
Chiba Mone, the 2024 champion, returns to reclaim her crown. Her skating is characterized by a silent efficiency—clean jumps and high-level spins. She is joined by the breakout star of the season, 17-year-old Nakai Ami, who has been landing triple Axels with ease on the Junior Grand Prix circuit.
The American Challenge: Bradie Tennell & Sarah Everhardt
After years of battling injury, Bradie Tennell’s return to the international stage is a testament to her tenacity. As the senior stateswoman of U.S. figure skating, she brings a level of sophistication and “triple-triple” reliability that younger skaters struggle to match. She is joined by Sarah Everhardt, whose rapid ascent through the U.S. rankings has made her a legitimate podium threat in Beijing.
The Story of the Tournament: The Return of Sui and Han
Perhaps the most electric news of the 2026 Four Continents is the competitive return of Olympic Champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong. After three years away from the sport following their gold medal in Beijing 2022, the pair decided to return for one last run toward Milano Cortina.
Their presence in the field changes everything. Known for their “Throw Triple Salchow” and their unparalleled connection on the ice, Sui and Han are not just competing for a medal—they are competing for their legacy. Watching them perform to “Tapestry of a Legendary Land” in the same city where they won Olympic gold will likely be the emotional highlight of the week.
Ice Dance: The Rhythm of the 90s
Ice Dance this season is centered around the “Music of the 1990s” theme for the Rhythm Dance. Expect plenty of Eurodance, Grunge, and R&B-inspired programs.
With world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) sitting out to peak for the Olympics, the door is wide open. The U.S. team of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik are the favorites, but they will face a fierce challenge from South Korea’s Hannah Lim and Ye Quan, who have quickly become the most talked-about young duo in the sport.
How to Watch Live (No Cable/Global Guide)
Watching figure skating in 2026 has become significantly easier thanks to digital streaming platforms.
United States (Peacock)
For those in the U.S., Peacock remains the exclusive home for all ISU events. They provide live, uninterrupted coverage of every practice and competition segment. A “Premium” subscription is required, but it is the most reliable way to watch without cable.
Canada (CBC Sports)
Canada offers some of the best free coverage in the world. The CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports website typically stream the entire Four Continents event live for free (restricted to Canadian IP addresses).
Australia (SBS On Demand)
Australian fans can tune in to SBS On Demand. They have a long-standing partnership with the ISU and offer high-quality free streams for all major championships.
Global / “From Anywhere” (ISU YouTube & VPN)
If you are in a country without a local broadcaster, the Official ISU Skating YouTube Channel streams the entire event live.
- Note: If the YouTube stream is geo-blocked in your country, many fans use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to set their location to a country like Singapore or India, where the ISU YouTube channel is usually unlocked.
Conclusion: The Spirit of the Four Continents
As the scores are tallied and the medals are awarded in Beijing, the focus will immediately shift to Italy. But for these five days in January, the Four Continents is the center of the universe. It is a celebration of the sport’s expansion beyond its European roots and a tribute to the resilience of athletes who have spent the last four years preparing for this exact moment.
Whether it is the return of Sui and Han, the quad-jumping brilliance of Mikhail Shaidorov, or the artistic mastery of Cha Jun-hwan, the 2026 Four Continents is where greatness truly collides.
