when does women's figure skating start

Women’s figure skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begins with the team event women’s short program on Friday, 6 February 2026, in the morning session (9:55–14:55 local time). The individual women’s singles event starts later in the Games with the women’s short program on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (18:30–22:45 local time) , followed by the free skate on Thursday, 19 February 2026 (19:00–23:15).
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When does women’s figure skating start?
Quick Scoop
If you’re wondering “when does women’s figure skating start” for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the action begins earlier than many fans realize.
- The first women’s figure skating appearance is in the team event women’s short program on Friday, 6 February 2026 , during the morning figure skating session (9:55–14:55, Milano Cortina local time).
- The stand‑alone women’s singles competition kicks off with the women’s short program on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (18:30–22:45).
- Medals for the women’s singles are decided in the women’s free skate on Thursday, 19 February 2026 (19:00–23:15).
So, women’s figure skating “starts” twice in practice: first in the team event early in the Games, and then in the individual women’s singles in the second half of the figure skating schedule.
Key dates at a glance
- Friday, 6 February 2026 – Team event session including the women’s short program ; this is the earliest women’s figure skating segment at the Games.
- Tuesday, 17 February 2026 – Women’s singles short program (the true start of the individual event most viewers follow).
- Thursday, 19 February 2026 – Women’s singles free skate and medal decision.
- Saturday, 21 February 2026 – Exhibition gala featuring many of the top women skaters along with other disciplines.
These times are listed in local time for Milano Cortina 2026; TV broadcasters will usually convert to your time zone and package the women’s events heavily in primetime coverage.
Why it feels confusing on forums
On figure skating forums and social media, fans often debate “when does women’s figure skating start” because some people mean the first time women skate at all (team event) while others mean the start of the individual women’s medal event.
- Fans focused on storylines and medals usually talk about 17 and 19 February as the “real” start, since that’s when the women’s singles short and free programs take place.
- Fans who follow every session will tell you it starts with the team event women’s short program on 6 February , pointing to official schedule releases.
This split perspective is why you’ll see different answers in trending discussions and forum threads.
Mini FAQ
- What’s the very first women’s figure skating segment at the 2026 Olympics?
The team event women’s short program on Friday, 6 February 2026 (morning session).
- When does the women’s singles event that crowns the Olympic champion start?
With the women’s short program on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (evening session).
- When is the women’s figure skating medal decided?
In the women’s free skate on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.