Prague is set to host the world’s top figure skaters this week as the World Figure Skating Championships 2026 get underway at the O2 Arena in the Czech Republic. The event, which begins on Tuesday, March 24th and runs through March 29th, is a key competition in the post-Olympic season, though it will be impacted by several notable absences.
The Italian team, in particular, will be without several key athletes. Charléne Guignard and Marco Fabbri, Sara Conti and Niccolò Macii, Matteo Rizzo and Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini will all miss the championships. Despite these absences, Italy will still be represented by Lara Naki Gutmann, Daniel Grassl, Gabriele Frangipani, the pair team of Irma Caldara and Riccardo Maglio, and ice dancers Victoria Manni and Carlo Roethlisberger, as well as Giulia Isabella Paolino and Andrea Tuba.
Other high-profile skaters will also be absent from the competition, including Alysa Liu, the gold medalist at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in the women’s singles event, and the Japanese pair team of Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who won Olympic gold in pairs skating. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, silver medalists in ice dance at the Unipol Forum, will also not compete. However, Ilia Malinin, who underperformed at the Unipol Forum, is confirmed to participate and will be looking to reassert his dominance.
For figure skating fans, the World Championships represent a chance to see the sport’s brightest stars compete for world titles. The event will be broadcast live on Discovery+, with potential coverage also expected on RAI Sport+ HD and Eurosport. Streaming options will include RAI Play, Eurosport, DAZN, Prime Video, and Tim Vision, depending on broadcast arrangements. Here’s a detailed appear at the schedule and how to follow the action.
World Figure Skating Championships 2026: Full Schedule
Wednesday, March 25
11:30-16:23 – Women’s Singles – Short Program (featuring Lara Naki Gutmann)
18:45-22:15 – Pairs – Short Program (featuring Caldara-Maglio)
Thursday, March 26
11:30-16:27 – Men’s Singles – Short Program (featuring Daniel Grassl and Gabriele Frangipani)
18:15-21:56 – Pairs – Free Program (featuring Caldara-Maglio)
Friday, March 27
11:30-16:24 – Ice Dance – Rhythm Dance (featuring Manni-Roethlisberger and Paolino-Tuba)
16:00-21:52 – Women’s Singles – Free Program (featuring Lara Naki Gutmann)
Saturday, March 28
12:30-16:22 – Men’s Singles – Free Program (featuring Daniel Grassl and Gabriele Frangipani)
18:30-21:50 – Ice Dance – Free Dance (featuring Manni-Roethlisberger and Paolino-Tuba)
Sunday, March 29
14:30-17:30 – Exhibition Gala
How to Watch the World Figure Skating Championships 2026
TV: Potential live coverage on RAI Sport HD (broadcast schedule to be confirmed).
Streaming: Comprehensive coverage on Discovery Plus and RAI Play. Possible streaming options on Eurosport, DAZN, Tim Vision, and Prime Video (depending on Eurosport broadcast arrangements).
Live Text Updates: OA Sport
The championships in Prague promise a thrilling week of competition, despite the notable absences. With Ilia Malinin seeking redemption and a host of other talented skaters vying for world titles, the O2 Arena is poised to deliver a spectacular event for figure skating fans worldwide. The event marks a return to Prague for the World Championships after over 30 years, solidifying the city’s place as a growing hub for international sporting events. The O2 Arena is prepared to welcome thousands of fans.
Tickets for the event are available through Ticketmaster and Ticketportal, though sales have not yet begun as of March 24, 2026. Fans are encouraged to check the official event website for updates on ticket availability and event details. More information can be found on the official event website.
Following the conclusion of the World Championships, the figure skating season will officially come to a close, leaving fans to anticipate the next competitive season and the lead-up to future major events. The Exhibition Gala on Sunday, March 29th, will provide a final showcase of the sport’s artistry and athleticism before the break.
The next major update will be the release of the official broadcast schedule for RAI Sport+ HD. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates and coverage of the World Figure Skating Championships 2026.
What are your predictions for the championships? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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