The figure skating team event opens competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, bringing together 10 countries in a fast-paced format that awards the first skating medal of the Games.
Organizers confirmed the participating teams on Feb. 5, with competition beginning Friday, Feb. 6. Ice dance starts the event, followed by pairs and women’s skating later that day. The men’s free skate on Sunday will finalize the overall standings.
Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how the team event works, who competes, and when fans can watch.
Figure Skating Team Event Format at Milano Cortina 2026
Each team includes four disciplines: one women’s skater, one men’s skater, one pairs team, and one ice dance team. All athletes must already qualify for their individual Olympic events.
Teams earn points based on placement in each segment. After the short program and rhythm dance portions, only the top five teams advance to the free skate and free dance.
Countries may make up to two athlete substitutions after the short programs.
Over three days, teams compete across eight total segments. The nation with the highest combined point total stands atop the podium.
The 10 qualified teams are the United States, Japan, Italy, Canada, Georgia, France, Great Britain, the Republic of Korea, the People’s Republic of China, and Poland.
The United States and Japan enter as favorites after finishing gold and silver at Beijing 2022 and repeating those results at last year’s ISU World Team Trophy.
Key Skaters to Watch in the Winter 2026 Team Event
Depth in singles skating gives both Team USA and Japan a major advantage.
On the men’s side, Ilia Malinin, Kagiyama Yuma, and Sato Shun swept the top three spots at December’s Grand Prix Final.
The women’s field features reigning world champion Alysa Liu for the U.S. and three-time world champion Sakamoto Kaori for Japan.
Pairs and ice dance could decide the gold. Japan looks to world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, while Team USA leans on three-time world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who remain undefeated this season.
Chock and Bates open the event for the United States. In pairs, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea make their Olympic team debut. Liu competes in the women’s short program.
Team USA has medaled in every Olympic team event since its debut in 2014, winning gold in 2022 after bronzes in 2014 and 2018.
Full Milano Cortina Team Event Schedule
All times listed are CET (UTC+1):
Friday, Feb. 6
9:55 – Ice dance rhythm dance
11:35 – Pairs short program
13:35 – Women’s short program
Saturday, Feb. 7
19:45 – Men’s short program
22:05 – Ice dance free dance
Sunday, Feb. 8
19:30 – Pairs free skating
20:45 – Women’s free skating
21:55 – Men’s free skating
The final standings will be determined after Sunday night’s men’s free skate.
How to Watch the Figure Skating Team Event
All segments of the team event will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.
Coverage begins early Friday morning in the United States, with full replays and highlights available across NBC’s Olympic platforms.
As the first skating medal of Milano Cortina 2026, the team event sets the tone for the rest of the competition — and renews the growing rivalry between Team USA and Japan.
How Does the Figure Skating Team Event Work at the Milano Cortina Olympics?