Updates to Championship Requirements for the 2026/27 Season

We are pleased to inform you of several upcoming changes for the 2026/27 season. These updates follow recent reviews across all disciplines and reflect our continued commitment to supporting skater development, performance pathways, and fair access to competition:

SINGLES

• Skaters will no longer be required to achieve a qualifier score in order to enter a qualifying event. The minimum test requirements will be

  • Basic Novice - Skills 6, National 4 Technical & Components

  • Advanced Novice - Skills 7 National 6 Technical & Components

  • Junior - Skills 8, National 7 Technical & Components 

  • Senior - Skills 8, National 8 Technical & Components

• Qualification numbers for the 2026 Championships are currently under review and will be confirmed in due course.

  
  

PAIRS

• Age requirements for the Championships will follow ISU regulations. However, British Ice Skating and the Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) reserve the right to apply a reasonable age allowance where appropriate for development or performance reasons.

• Qualification requirements and entry numbers for the 2026 Championships are under review and will be confirmed once finalised.

  
  

ICE DANCE

• Age requirements for the Championships will follow ISU regulations, with BIS and the TACs retaining the discretion to apply a reasonable age allowance for development or performance reasons.

• Same-sex couples will now be permitted to compete in all events, including at the Championships.

• Novice Couples will now be included within the Solo Dance Championships.

• Qualification requirements and entry numbers for the 2026 Championships are being reviewed and will be communicated once confirmed.

Please note that these new event eligibility rules will be implemented for the 2026/27 season, but will also come into effect for the upcoming March Qualifier (2025/26 program requirements will still be in place for this event).

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact us at any time.

Kind regards, British Ice Skating Office and the Technical Advisory Committees