Over the past week, from July 12 to July 19, 2026, several notable events have taken place in the figure skating world:
2026 Excel National Final and Festival
Nearly 900 skaters participated in the 2026 Excel National Final and Festival, held at The Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts, from July 15 to July 19. The event featured the Excel Series Final, an invite-only competition for top performers across various levels, and the Open-Invitation Excel Series Competition, allowing skaters at the Aspire 1-4, pre-preliminary, and preliminary levels to compete. Additionally, the Finalist Camp offered on- and off-ice training sessions led by former and current U.S. National Team athletes, including Maxim Naumov, Gracie Gold, Ashley Cain, Polina Edmunds, Camden Pulkinen, Tomoki Hiwatashi, Elyce Lin-Gracey, and Sean Rabbitt. (usfigureskating.org)
New Pairs Team Announcement
Tallulah Tanner and Blake McGee, a new junior pairs team, have been introduced. They teamed up in May 2026 and are preparing for their debut competition at the Glacier Falls Summer Classic in Anaheim, California, scheduled for July 30 to August 2. (figureskatersonline.com)
Upcoming Competitions
The 2026-27 National Qualifying Series is set to begin in July and run through October, culminating with the National Qualifying Series Finals in November. This series includes singles, pairs, and ice dance competitions, with nearly 1,500 skaters from across the country expected to participate in 21 qualifying events. The series serves as a qualifying pipeline to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. (usfigureskating.org)
Additionally, the Cranberry International competition is scheduled for August 5 to August 9, 2026, at The Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts. The event will feature singles (men and women), pairs, and ice dance disciplines. (figuraskate.com)
These events highlight the ongoing dedication and development within the figure skating community as athletes prepare for the upcoming competitive season.
