when does figure skating start at the olympics ~~
Figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina kicks off today, February 6, with the team event's rhythm dance segment. It's a thrilling start to one of the Games' most captivating sports, blending artistry and athleticism on the ice.
Opening Schedule
The action begins early at the Forum di Milano arena:
- 9:55 AM CET : Team event rhythm dance (ice dance short).
- 11:35 AM CET : Team event pairs' short program.
- 1:35 PM CET : Team event women's short program.
These sessions run through the afternoon, setting the stage for national team battles where top countries like the USA, Japan, and Canada vie for early momentum. Times are local Italian (CET); U.S. East Coast viewers catch mornings, while West Coast gets predawn starts.
Full Event Timeline
Here's the high-level figure skating calendar through February 19, packed with singles, pairs, dance, and team highlights (all CET; check NBC/Peacock for U.S. broadcasts).
| Date | Key Sessions (CET) | Disciplines |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 6-7 | 9:55-22:55 | Team event (rhythm dance, pairs SP, women SP, men SP) |
| Feb 8 | 19:30-23:05 | Team event pairs FS, women FS, men FS |
| Feb 9 & 11 | 19:15-23:10 | Ice dance rhythm & free dance |
| Feb 10 & 13 | 18:30-23:15 | Men's SP & FS |
| Feb 15-16 | 19:45-23:10 | Pairs SP & FS |
| Feb 17 & 19 | 18:30-23:15 | Women's SP & FS |
| Feb 21 | 20:00-22:30 | Exhibition gala |
Why It Matters Now
With stars like U.S. "Quad God" Ilia Malinin eyeing men's gold and Alysa Liu chasing women's medals, today's team opener could crown early heroes amid a grueling 14-day slate. Forum buzz highlights strategic pacing: teams save quads for finals while building rhythm dance scores. Trending talks note NBC's prime-time tweaks favoring U.S. mornings for accessibility.
Event Formats Quick Guide
Figure skating mixes short programs (SP) testing technical jumps/spins with free skates (FS) for full routines—scored on base values plus execution (e.g., quad Axel at 12.5 base). Team event aggregates top-5 nations' scores across disciplines for one medal set.
Fan Tips:
- Watch Strategy : Prioritize team days (Feb 6-8) for variety; save energy for individual medals (Feb 13+).
- U.S. Contenders : Malinin (men), Liu/Glenn (women), pairs hopefuls.
- Scoring Nugget : TES (elements) + PCS (artistry) decide wins—no more 6.0 system.
TL;DR : Figure skating starts today, Feb 6, 9:55 AM CET with team rhythm dance—tune in for U.S. medal hopefuls amid packed Olympic ice drama.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
