Skate America 2025: Figure Skating Returns to Lake Placid’s Legendary Ice

Alysa Liu © Pinterest

After an eight-year break, Skate America makes a triumphant return to Lake Placid, New York, from November 14–16, 2025, inside the Herb Brooks Arena — the same venue that hosted the 1980 Olympic “Miracle on Ice.” The fifth stop of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2025–26 season, it’s a crucial event for athletes chasing qualification points toward the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan.

For many skaters, this competition is more than just another Grand Prix — it’s a stage to test Olympic-season programs, debut new choreography, and build confidence on one of the sport’s most historic rinks.

Star Lineup: From World Champions to Rising Stars

The women’s competition will see a dazzling mix of talent. Alysa Liu, the reigning world champion, leads the field, returning to the U.S. Grand Prix stage for the first time since her comeback. Liu’s combination of athleticism and charisma has quickly reestablished her as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Challenging her are Rinka Watanabe of Japan, armed with a triple Axel, and South Korea’s Lee Haein and Kim Chaeyeon, both known for their elegant skating and technical consistency.

In the men’s event, Jason Brown, a crowd favorite known for his artistry and skating skills, will make his sixth appearance at Skate America. At 30, Brown continues to prove that longevity in figure skating is possible without relying on quadruple jumps. Facing him are Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, Daniel Grassl of Italy, and Kévin Aymoz of France — each looking to secure critical points for Nagoya.

In pairs, reigning world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara return after a commanding win at Grand Prix de France earlier this season. Meanwhile, in ice dance, reigning three-time world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates are eyeing their fifth Skate America title, continuing their decade-long dominance.

Schedule: Three Days of Elite Skating

The competition officially begins on Friday, November 14, with the Pairs Short Program opening the evening, followed by the Men’s Short Program under the arena lights.

On Saturday, November 15, fans will be treated to a full day of skating: the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance opens the afternoon, followed by the Pairs Free Skate. The excitement builds into the evening with the Women’s Short Program and Men’s Free Skate, where the first medals of the weekend will be decided.

Finally, on Sunday, November 16, the event concludes with the Ice Dance Free Dance and the Women’s Free Skate, where Alysa Liu and her rivals will battle for the podium and valuable Grand Prix Final points.

All event times are in Eastern Standard Time (UTC – 5), with detailed schedules available on the U.S. Figure Skating and ISU official websites.

Where to Watch

For viewers in the United States, all sessions will stream live on Peacock, with additional broadcast coverage on NBC Sports and USA Network.

International fans can tune in through the ISU’s broadcast partners:

• Canada – CBC Sports
• Japan – TV Asahi
• France – France TV
• Korea – SBS
• Australia – SBS Australia
  A full list of providers by region is available on isu-skating.com.

Why This Event Matters

Skate America is not just another Grand Prix — it’s often the turning point of the early season. The results here determine who will make it to the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya (December 4–7, 2025) and influence national team selections ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.

What to Look For

• Program Refinement: Expect mid-season adjustments — skaters may alter jump layouts or rework choreography after early Grand Prix feedback.
• Artistry Rising: Skaters like Brown and Chock/Bates continue to prove that components and presentation can match (or surpass) raw technical value.
• New Names to Watch: Keep an eye on Japan’s young skaters, whose junior-to-senior transitions have reshaped international competition.

Final Take

With world champions, Olympic dreams, and history under the same roof, Skate America 2025 promises a weekend of emotion, artistry, and fierce athleticism. From Alysa Liu’s comeback story to Jason Brown’s enduring artistry, every discipline offers drama worth watching.

Source: article by Nick McCarvel on olympics.com, published November 10, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer