The ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025, set to unfold from March 26 to March 30 at Boston's TD Garden, promises to be a defining moment for American figure skating as it returns to U.S. soil for the first time in nearly a decade. This year, the championships hold special significance, acting as a key platform for athletes to qualify for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina.
All eyes will be on defending champions Ilia Malinin and ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who lead Team USA as they aim for glory on their home turf. Malinin, the reigning world champion, is favored to claim his second consecutive title. At only 20 years old, he has already made history by landing six clean quadruple jumps in a single program. With an impressive winning streak that dates back to December 2023, where he has clinched eight consecutive victories, he stands as a formidable competitor against his main adversary, Japan's Yuma Kagiyama.
For Chock and Bates, they seek to achieve a historic third consecutive world title in ice dance, something no American couple has accomplished in 28 years. They will draw on their past performances, including a bronze medal from the last time the Worlds were held in Boston in 2016. The married couple has proven their strength by winning the Grand Prix Final in December 2024 and a record-tying sixth U.S. title in January.
Moreover, the U.S. women’s team, led by Amber Glenn, enters the competition with optimism. Glenn, who has been on fire this season, remains undefeated and is looking to become the first American woman to win a world title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006. Alongside her are Isabeau Levito, the silver medalist from the previous World Championship, and Alysa Liu, the 2022 World bronze medalist returning from retirement.
The stakes are particularly high this year, with the U.S. aiming to secure the maximum quota of Olympic spots for the upcoming Olympic Games. To further underscore the poignancy of the event, a tribute will take place this Wednesday, honoring those lost in the tragic mid-air collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army helicopter that occurred on January 29. This tragedy involved members from the local skating community, including skaters and coaches.
Ilia Malinin, known as "Quadgod" due to his mastery of quad jumps, aims to push the limits further. After becoming the first skater to land the quad Axel, he is setting his sights on executing his bold goal of attempting seven quadruple jumps in his free skate program.
Amber Glenn has faced her own challenges, including previous battles with mental health and a brief withdrawal from the sport. This season marks her resurgence, having won five major titles, including the prestigious Grand Prix Final—her first senior national title—showcasing impressive skills, including her signature triple Axel.
As Glenn reflects, “It has been a whirlwind of a season. I struggled with imposter syndrome, and I’m just happy my hard work is finally showing.” Her success story has reignited hopes for American women in figure skating, a field that has seen a decline at international championships in recent years.
The pairs’ event also promises fierce competition, featuring teams like Canadians Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, who earned headlines last year, and Japanese pair Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara. The fight for supremacy among the pairs will be intense, with two U.S. squads—Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, together with Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov—vying for podium finishes.
This year's championships mark the first time the event has been hosted on U.S. soil since 2016 and the first in the Olympic prelude since 2009. It highlights not only the emerging talents like Sarah Everhardt and veteran skaters like Jason Brown but also showcases the depth of competition in both the younger and seasoned athletes.
Against this dynamic backdrop, the World Championships represent a significant opportunity for American skaters to shine. With expectations riding high and the community's support at heart, Boston’s TD Garden will surely be electrified as Team USA pursues victory on home ice.
Viewers can catch all competition live on Peacock, along with extensive coverage on NBC and the USA Network throughout the event, with the schedule allowing fans a chance to follow every thrilling moment of this prestigious competition.
