ISU Figure Skating European Championships - Sheffield 2026: a Championships built by a community

Last week, we were supremely proud to host the ISU Figure Skating European Championships 2026 in Sheffield - the result of a huge community effort. The event’s success was a testament to the hard work, collaboration and commitment of a great many partners and individuals, all pulling in the same direction to deliver a week the city (and skating fans around the world) won’t forget.

From the first practice sessions to an unforgettable Exhibition Gala atmosphere, Sheffield welcomed Europe’s very best to the Utilita Arena Sheffield for the 117th edition of this iconic event - hosted here for the second time, and the first time since 2012.

A week that travelled far beyond the arena

While the magic on the ice was front and centre, the reach of Sheffield 2026 extended well beyond the arena walls.

The ISU “in numbers” recap captured the scale of the Championships:

• 157 skaters/couples, representing 36 ISU Members

• 146 accredited media, carrying the story of Sheffield 2026 worldwide

• 36.8 million impressions across ISU channels during the competition period (more than triple the previous edition’s comparable period)

• Over 18 million video views across all platforms, including 12+ million on Instagram and TikTok combined

• 12,500+ new followers across ISU-owned channels during the week

• Around 30,000 fans joined us across the Championships week - including a sold-out Exhibition Gala on Sunday

  
  

Together, those figures reflect what we felt in real time: a global spotlight on Sheffield, British skating, and a Championships atmosphere that truly landed.

Team GBR on home ice

A special thank you to the nine athletes (and their coaching and support teams) who represented Team GBR in Sheffield, and who brought the crowd to its feet with every incredible performance.

Ice Dance: Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson; Phebe Bekker & James Hernandez

Pairs: Anastasia Vaipan-Law & Luke Digby

Women’s Singles: Kristen Spours; Nina Povey

Men’s Singles: Edward Appleby

In particular, we’re proud to celebrate Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson, who continued their remarkable run by securing their fourth consecutive European medal - a moment that perfectly captured the energy, belief, and ambition that defined Team GBR’s week on home ice.

Thank you to the partners who made Sheffield 2026 possible

Delivering a major championships is never the work of one organisation - it takes a coalition.

In particular, we want to thank our partners at UK Sport, Sheffield City Council, and the International Skating Union. Their support was fundamental to bringing Europeans back to the UK and delivering it at the standard athletes, fans, and the sport deserves.

We also want to recognise and thank the many organisations and suppliers who contributed so much to the success of the week, including:

Power of People, BE-WISE, Veezu, MLS, NovumLIVE, Sunset+Vine, Limelight,Food Fusion, Funky Fridays, Wonder Ice, Utilita Arena Sheffield, Everyone Active – SLM, Legends Global UK,HD Sports LTD, John Wilson and MK Blades, Leonardo Hotels, Radisson Blu, Mercure Hotels,Events Medical Services, Wildfire Experience Agency, Codesde and The Mowbray.

Every one of you played a part - and it showed. And to the countless others who supported the Championships across the campaign - from local partners and community groups to suppliers, stakeholders, and collaborators working behind the scenes - thank you. Your contribution, in big and small ways, helped make Sheffield 2026 what it was.

A massive thanks to our volunteers, officials, and workforce

Major events run on people - and Sheffield 2026 had the very best.

Over 375 volunteers were behind the scenes (and in some cases, on the ice!) throughout the Championships week, supporting everything from accreditation and guest services to field-of-play operations and venue flow. Their energy, professionalism and warmth helped define the experience for spectators, teams, and stakeholders - and we’re incredibly grateful.

To everyone who contributed through the steering group, organising committee, and operational delivery teams - thank you for the months (and years) of planning, problem-solving, and calm heads under pressure that made competition week feel seamless.

And to everyone who added their voice to the crowd - you brought the arena to life.

The Peace Gardens Fan Zone: bringing Europeans into the heart of the city

One of the most special parts of Sheffield 2026 was seeing the Championships live not just inside the arena, but right in the city centre. And it wasn’t only skating fans who joined in - the Fan Zone helped bring Europeans into the heart of Sheffield for families, visitors and locals alike.

Hosted by Sheffield City Council and British Ice Skating, with support from Sheffield BID and UK Sport, the Fan Zone at the Peace Gardens created an accessible, family-friendly celebration for residents and visitors alike.

Highlights included:

• a free-to-use artificial ice rink (with skate hire included), plus themed sessions

• a big screen showing live competition coverage and highlights

• food stalls and city-centre entertainment

• free school skating sessions, giving local pupils a chance to experience skating first-hand

  
  

Designed to be sustainable and accessible, the rink used an artificial surface to reduce energy use while keeping the experience open to as many people as possible, brining 1000s of people together to share in the love of our sport!

Proud moments: special visits during Championships week

Sheffield 2026 also welcomed a number of special guests who came to experience the Championships and meet the people behind them.

We were honoured to host a Royal visit, with Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attending at the Utilita Arena Sheffield, meeting key stakeholders, volunteers and members of Team GBR, and watching the Men’s Short Programme.

The week also included a visit from the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, underlining the significance of bringing major international sport to Sheffield and the power of events like this to inspire participation and pride.

To every competitor, coach, and fan - thank you for making the ISU Figure Skating European Championships 2026 unforgettable.

Finally, our gratitude to every person who contributed by competing, coaching, supporting those competing, taking part in the opening ceremony, welcoming fans to Sheffield, sharing content, telling stories, or simply showing up and creating an atmosphere that lifted the building.

Sheffield 2026 was a reminder of what’s possible when a sport, a city, and a community align - and we’re proud of every person who helped make it happen. 🙌

Photo Credits: International Skating Union, Scott Antcliffe Photography