Grand Prix de France 2026 Preview

Ami Nakai © Pinterest 

The 2026 Grand Prix de France opens the new ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating season in Angers from October 23–25. With Olympic champions Mikhail Shaidorov and Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron among the headline names, the event promises three days of high-level competition as skaters begin their campaigns toward the Grand Prix Final in December.

Olympic Champions Lead the Field

Men’s Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan arrives in Angers as one of the major attractions. His technical ability and experience under pressure make him a skater to watch as the new season gets underway.

France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic ice dance champions, will also compete on home ice. Their performances are likely to draw particular attention from French fans, who will have the opportunity to watch the Olympic gold medallists begin another Grand Prix campaign in front of a home crowd.

The event also features two other Olympic medallists: Japan’s Ami Nakai, the women’s bronze medallist, and Georgian pair Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, who won Olympic silver.

Strong Competition Across Four Disciplines

The women’s event includes Ami Nakai and Anastasiia Gubanova, the 2023 European champion. Their performances will be closely watched as the season begins, with technical consistency and the quality of their programs likely to be important factors.

French fans will have another reason to follow the men’s competition: two-time European champion Adam Siao Him Fa will represent the host nation. American skater Jacob Sanchez is also set for a valuable opportunity, gaining experience in a full Grand Prix season after receiving only one assignment last year.

In pairs, Metelkina and Berulava will face an international field that includes Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii. The 2021 World Championships bronze medallists are returning to Grand Prix competition in Angers for the first time since winning the French Grand Prix in 2021. Their return adds another compelling storyline to the pairs event.

Across men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance, the opening event will offer an early look at how athletes have developed their programs and prepared for the Olympic cycle’s next competitive season.

Schedule: October 23–25

All times below are local to France. France observes UTC+2 on Friday and Saturday, then switches to UTC+1 on Sunday.

Friday, October 23

• 18:00 — Ice dance rhythm dance
• 19:50 — Women’s singles short program

Saturday, October 24

• 12:30 — Men’s singles short program
• 14:20 — Ice dance free dance
• 18:00 — Pairs short program
• 19:30 — Women’s singles free skate

Sunday, October 25

• 11:30 — Pairs free skate
• 13:10 — Men’s singles free skate
• 19:30 — Exhibition gala

The rhythm dance and women’s short program launch the competition on Friday. Saturday brings a packed schedule, while Sunday determines the pairs and men’s results before the exhibition gala closes the event.

How to Watch Live

Broadcast availability depends on the country or region. In the United States, the event is scheduled to be available through NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock, according to the published viewing information. In Europe, Eurosport and its digital streaming services are listed as options.

Viewers elsewhere should check local broadcasters and the International Skating Union’s official Where to Watch information for coverage in their territory. Start times may also vary by time zone, so checking the local schedule before the event is recommended.

The Road to the Grand Prix Final

The Grand Prix de France is the first stop on the 2026–27 ISU Grand Prix series. Further events are scheduled in Canada, China, the United States, Finland, and Japan, leading to the Grand Prix Final in December.

For Olympic champions, established contenders, and rising skaters alike, Angers offers an early opportunity to test programs, build momentum, and measure themselves against international rivals. With home favourites, Olympic medallists, and returning world-level competitors on the entry list, the opening Grand Prix promises an exciting start to the figure skating season.

Source: article on olympics.com published October 19, 2026.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer