A big-time national sporting event has taken over downtown Wichita this week, as the six-day United States Figure Skating Championships are contested at Intrust Bank Arena. This is Wichita's first time hosting this event.
This is the final qualifier for the United States before U.S. World & World Junior championship teams are formed, and some of the athletes in Wichita this week will be competing in 13 months at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
There are more than 180 elite American figure skaters in Wichita this week, competing in singles, pairs, and ice dance. Tuesday's junior-level events are streaming on Peacock; events later in the week will be nationally-televised on NBC and the USA Network.
Tuesday's full schedule on the opening day of competition includes the short programs for Novice Pairs, Junior Pairs, and Junior men. After that, it's Novice Dance (featuring the Westminster Waltz & the Tango), then finishing up the day with the Rhythm Dance for Junior Ice Dance.
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships are expected to bring an economic impact of $8 million into the Wichita area.
St. Louis is hosting the event next year in 2026.
Among other cities hosting this event in the past include: New York City; Philadelphia; Boston; Chicago; St. Paul; Cleveland; Berkeley; Colorado Springs; Washington, D.C.; Seattle; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Lake Placid; Omaha; Tulsa; Buffalo; Oakland; Cincinnati; Atlanta; San Diego; Indianapolis; Pittsburgh; Kansas City; Salt Lake City; Denver; Baltimore; Orlando; Phoenix; Detroit; San Jose; Nashville; Dallas; Portland; Greensboro; Las Vegas; and Columbus (last year's host).