ISU Sets 2026-27 Figure Skating Grand Prix Grid as Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin Top World Standings

The ice is set for the new Olympic cycle. On Tuesday, the International Skating Union (ISU) unveiled the assignments for the 2026-27 Grand Prix of Figure Skating, mapping out the six-week global gauntlet that will culminate in December's Grand Prix Final in Chongqing, China.

With the dust settling from the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the updated ISU World Standings reflect a commanding American presence at the top of the singles disciplines, while Japan and Europe boast deep rosters of challengers ready to contest the throne.[1]

The biggest storyline of the summer is the official return of Alysa Liu. Fresh off capturing double gold in the women's individual and team events in Milan, the 20-year-old American has opted against a post-Olympic hiatus, eager to capitalize on her spectacular momentum.[2][3]

Liu currently sits at world No. 1 with 4,248 points, narrowly edging out Japan's veteran Kaori Sakamoto (4,178 points) and Mone Chiba (4,164 points). Liu is slated to headline Skate America in Everett, Washington, this November, before heading to the Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki.[2]

"The reigning Olympic and world champion in women's figure skating will officially return to the ice this fall," confirmed U.S. Figure Skating, noting that Liu will be joined by fellow American standout and world No. 4 Amber Glenn to defend home ice.[2]

On the men's side, three-time and reigning World champion Ilia Malinin retains his iron grip on the No. 1 world ranking with 4,590 points. The "Quad God" will also feature at Skate America, chasing his fourth title at the event, before closing his circuit at the NHK Trophy in Tokyo.[1]

However, Malinin faces a surging rival in Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov. Shaidorov, who delivered a stunning gold-medal performance at the Milano Cortina Games, has climbed to No. 3 in the world standings (3,918 points), just behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama. Shaidorov will open his season at the Grand Prix de France in Angers, setting up a potential heavyweight clash with Malinin at the Final in Chongqing.[1]

The pairs and ice dance fields are equally stacked for the autumn campaign. Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara lead the pairs world standings with 4,783 points, fending off Germany's reigning World champions Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin.[1]

In ice dance, newly minted Olympic champions Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France will make their highly anticipated homecoming at the Grand Prix de France. They will face stiff competition throughout the series from rising American stars Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, as well as Great Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson.[1]

The Grand Prix series remains the sport's premier autumn battleground. Approximately 150 elite athletes are assigned to a maximum of two events, earning points based on their placements. The top six point-earners in each of the four disciplines will punch their tickets to the elite Grand Prix Final.

This season carries added weight as the first major international series of the new Olympic cycle, pointing toward the 2030 French Alps Games. For veterans, it is a chance to cement their legacies; for rising juniors promoted to the senior ranks, it is the first opportunity to test their mettle against Olympic medalists.[1]

The action officially begins October 23 at the Grand Prix de France in Angers, moving through Canada, China, the United States, and Finland, before concluding the regular season at the NHK Trophy in late November. With the standings tighter than ever, the race to Chongqing promises to be a spectacular showcase of technical evolution and artistic mastery.