2026 Olympic Spot Qualification FAQ
Confused about how skaters earn Olympic spots? Here’s a brief guide on how.
Q: Do the skaters that earn the spots get to use them?
A: Not necessarily. Some federations (US, Japan, Canada, Estonia) will have multiple contenders for the Olympic spot while others will just have the one. Donovan Carrillo is the only skater from Mexico so it will be his spot to use while Mone Chiba will be locked into a battle for any Olympic spot she may earn.
Q: How many Olympic spots are there?
A: 29 for singles, 19 for pairs, and 23 for dance.
Q: Are all these spots going to be determined at worlds?
A: Nope! 24 spots for singles, 16 for pairs, and 19 for dance will be determined and the rest will go to the fall qualification event in China.
Q: How do they determine who earns how many spots?
A: Every final placement is worth a point value. Everyone who places 1-16 gets their corresponding placement as points, everyone who made the free gets 16 points, and everyone who competed gets 18 points.
All single skaters who make the free will have an Olympic spot but pairs and dance will depend on the country distribution from skaters above them.
Q: How are multiple spots earned?
A: A country with one skater needs to place in the top 10 for 2 spots and 3 Olympic spots are not possible.
A country with 2 skaters needs to have a point total of less than 28 and have everyone make the free for 2 spots, for 3 they both need to make the free and have a point total of less than 13.
A country with 3 skaters needs to have 2 skaters make the free with a point total of 28 or less to earn 2 spots, and needs everyone to make the free with the top 2 placements adding to less than 13.
Q: What’s a confirmation spot?
A: A spot that needs to be claimed at the fall qualifier. Basically if a fed earns a new additional spot then it needs to be claimed.
Canada earned a second spot in men’s at 2021 Worlds, so they sent Roman to claim that spot. He placed 7th out of 7 available slots and confirmed the country spot.
The US also had to send a man since they had a skater not make the free, even though the top 2 had placements that earned the 3rd spot.
Q: What is the qualifier event?
A: Formally happening at Nebelhorn, it’s a new event in China in September 2025.
Q: Who’s earning spots at the qualifier event?
A: Everyone who didn’t earn them at worlds and those who need to confirm a spot.
China does not have a pair entered at worlds so they will need to have a pair at the qualifier event to get a spot.
Spot confirmers cannot have made the free at worlds.
Q: How many spots are at the qualifier?
A: At least 5 for singles, 3 for pairs, and 4 for dance. It may vary based on unused spots.
If South Korea qualifies 2 spots in dance and doesn’t have a team to claim the spot, it will go back into the pool and will be filled at the qualifier.
Q: Are host spots still a thing?
A: Italy can send a skater for a host spot if they have not qualified someone in every discipline.
Q: Who’s Olympic eligible?
A: Any skater with the minimum TES, citizenship, and is nominated by their federation.
Q: How’s the team event working when so many federations are unlikely to qualify full teams?
A: Great question. No one knows yet.
Any errors or further questions? Let me know!