| Grand Prix of Figure Skating | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Countries | |
| Inaugurated | 1995–96 Champions Series |
| Previous event | 2025–26 Grand Prix Series |
| Next event | 2026–27 Grand Prix Series |
| Organized by | International Skating Union Skate Canada Chinese Skating Association Skating Finland French Federation of Ice Sports Japan Skating Federation U.S. Figure Skating |
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating – originally known as the Champions Series – is a series of senior-level international figure skating competitions sanctioned by the International Skating Union. Though none of the events were new, they debuted as a unified series in 1995. The Grand Prix consists of six qualifying events, held in succession over a span of six weeks, plus the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Currently, Grand Prix events are hosted by Canada (Skate Canada International), China (Cup of China), Finland (Grand Prix of Finland), France (Grand Prix de France), Japan (NHK Trophy), and the United States (Skate America). Previous events were hosted by Germany (Bofrost Cup on Ice) and Russia (Rostelecom Cup). Medals are awarded in men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, and ice dance. Skaters earn points based on their results at their respective competitions, and after the six qualifying events, the top skaters or teams in each discipline are invited to compete at the Grand Prix Final.
Beginning with the 1995–96 season, the International Skating Union (ISU) launched the Champions Series – later renamed the Grand Prix Series – which, at its inception, consisted of five qualifying competitions and the Champions Series Final. [1] This allowed skaters to perfect their programs earlier in the season, as well as compete against the skaters whom they would later encounter at the World Championships. This series also provided the viewing public with additional televised skating, which had been in demand. [2] The five qualifying competitions during the inaugural season were the 1995 Nations Cup, the 1995 NHK Trophy, the 1995 Skate America, the 1995 Skate Canada, and the 1995 Trophée de France. [3] Skaters earned points based on their results in their respective competitions and the top skaters or teams in each discipline were invited to compete at the Champions Series Final. [2]
The Grand Prix Series currently comprises the following competitions:
The following competitions have been discontinued:
The International Skating Union established the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in 1997 as a comparable series to the Grand Prix series. It consists of a series of seven international figure skating competitions exclusively for junior-level skaters. The locations of the Junior Grand Prix events change every year. Skaters earn points based on their results each season, and the top skaters or teams in each discipline are then invited to compete at the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. [33] Beginning with the 2008–09 figure skating season, the Grand Prix Final and Junior Grand Prix Final have been held concurrently. [34]
The Grand Prix Series, held every year since 1995, is a six-fixture event that qualifies the top six skaters and teams in each discipline for the Grand Prix Final in December.
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