ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023: Full schedule and how to watch live action
The World Championships are set for 22-26 March in Saitama, Japan. See the full schedule of action and find out how you can watch live.
Figure Skating
Figure Skating is set to crown its world champions for the post-Olympic season.
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships are being held 22-26 March at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on the outskirts of Tokyo - returning to the site of Worlds from 2014 and 2019.
Japan's Uno Shoma (men) and Sakamoto Kaori (women) are the reigning world champions in singles, while Americans Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier won the U.S. its first-ever world title in pairs in 2022.
Ice dance is guaranteed a first-time world champion team, with reigning Olympic and world champions Gabrielle Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron sitting out this season.
Veteran ice dance teams Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. and Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (among other teams) lead the race for the ice dance title, while the Japanese duo of Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi aim to become the first from their country to win a world title in pairs.
U.S. champions Ilia Malinin and Isabeau Levito - both teenagers - are eyeing strong showings in singles, as well, Malinin armed with his historic quadruple Axel. Sakamoto will be challenged by Japanese teammate Mihara Mai, who swept her Grand Prix stops in the first half of the season - including the exclusive Grand Prix Final.
See a full preview of the four disciplines here, including stars to watch. A full schedule of the action and how to watch from home can be found below.
ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023: Schedule
The World Championships are back at the Saitama Super Arena - and officials expect huge crowds in the 20,000-seat venue. Worlds was held there in both 2014 and 2019, as well.
The full competition schedule can be found here. All times are local (GMT+9).
Wednesday, 22 March - Competition schedule at ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2023
- 1100 Pairs short program
- 1550 Women's short program
Thursday, 23 March - Competition schedule at ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2023
- 1100 Pairs free skate
- 1550 Men's short program
Friday, 24 March - Competition schedule at ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2023
- 1100 Ice dance rhythm dance
- 1720 Women's free skate
Saturday, 25 March - Competition schedule at ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2023
- 1230 Ice dance free dance
- 1720 Men's free skate
Sunday, 25 March - Schedule at ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2023
- 1500 Gala exhibition
Practices are held daily in the main arena from 0730 local, with ice dance practice on 25 March set for 0700, followed by the men at 0920.
ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023: How to watch live
The World Championships are an official International Skating Union (ISU) event, meaning their partner broadcasters air the action on their subsequent platform, including any digital livestreaming. In the U.S., American fans can watch on NBC and Peacock.
The ISU's "Where to Watch" page is here - which should also include a list of partner broadcasters in your region.
The ISU streams international events on its YouTube channel – though some territories are geoblocked from watching.