Your beginner’s guide to watching figure skating (from now until the 2026 Winter Olympics)

As someone who’s learning to figure skate myself—working through most of the STAR 1 skills and dipping my toe pick into STAR 2—my love for the sport keeps growing. I see a perfectly timed spiral or a seamless step sequence and I get chills. I imagine how it must feel to float across the ice like that, music soaring, crowd holding their breath. But if there’s one thing harder than a backspin, it’s watching figure skating competitions consistently.

Every season I say I’m going to follow it properly. And every season, I get lost in a flurry of confusing event names, vague broadcast schedules, and a lack of clear Canadian coverage. It shouldn’t be this hard to cheer on skaters I admire—or to feel inspired as I lace up my own skates.

So I made this: a simple, beginner-friendly watch schedule from now until the 2026 Winter Olympics. Whether you’re new to watching figure skating or (like me) you’ve just been skating around in circles trying to find the info, this is for you.

⛸️Your Simple Figure Skating Watch Schedule (2025–2026)

Here are the biggest events of the season, in plain language: what they are, why they matter, and—finally—how to watch them in Canada.

🧊 What I’ve Learned (as a Beginner Figure Skater and a Longtime Viewer)

• Event names are confusing until you know what they mean. “Four Continents” isn’t some travel show—it’s one of the big international competitions. “Grand Prix Final” sounds like the end of the season, but it’s not.
• There’s no one-stop calendar, especially for Canadian viewers. You have to dig around, which makes it so easy to miss something.
• CBC Sports and TSN are your go-tos in Canada. CBC Gem (free streaming!) is surprisingly helpful for catching events on your own time.
• Watching figure skating as a skater hits differently. Now when I see a skater land a jump or glide through edges with control and grace, I feel it in my QUADS and GLUTES. 😂 I admire it all in a new way—because I know how hard it is.

🌟 Just Want the Highlights?

If you only have time (or energy) to watch a few events, I’d recommend these:

1. Skate Canada (Oct 2025) – Our top skaters, performing on home ice. Guaranteed inspiration.
2. Grand Prix Final (Dec 2025) – A preview of the Olympic podium, honestly.
3. Canadian Nationals (Jan 2026) – Where Canada’s Olympic dreams are made.
4. The Olympics (Feb 2026) – The moment everything leads up to.

✨ Final Thoughts

Skating is one of the most beautiful sports in the world—but watching figure skating shouldn’t feel like an elite club with no instructions. I put this post together not just as a viewer, but as someone who’s out there on the ice too—working through STAR 1 skills and learning what it really means to move with control, creativity, and courage.

There’s something about watching skating while learning to skate that makes it even more powerful. You notice the quiet details. You respect the technique. You understand just how hard it is to make it all look effortless. It’s humbling, and honestly, it’s magical.

If you’ve ever felt left out or lost trying to follow the season—this is your invitation back in. Bookmark this post. Share it with a friend. Cheer on the skaters while you chase your own edges.

I’ll be watching too—one crossover, one spin (or wobble) at a time.