The wait is finally over: a long-held dream has become reality. The International Skating Union (ISU) proudly celebrates today's historic decision by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include Synchro9, the ISU's innovative new competition format of Synchronized Skating, on the Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games event programme.

Synchronized Skating, under the new Synchro9 event format, is officially joining the Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games programme.  © ISU

The decision marks a defining moment in the history of Synchronized Skating, which has come a long way since its official recognition as an ISU discipline in 1994. For the first time ever, synchronized skaters will have the opportunity to compete for Olympic glory, fulfilling a long-held dream shared by generations of athletes, coaches, officials and fans around the world. 

Coming just months after Synchro9 was confirmed for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Dolomiti Valtellina 2028, this announcement represents a very important step in the discipline's evolution and reinforces the ISU's commitment to expanding the reach and appeal of skating worldwide – in alignment with the ISU Vision 2030. 

ISU President Jae Youl Kim welcomed the announcement with great enthusiasm:

"Today is a truly historic day for Synchronized Skating. We are incredibly proud that Synchro9 completes the ISU family of skating disciplines at the Olympic Winter Games. This decision fulfils a dream shared by thousands of synchronized skaters and millions of fans around the world. These remarkable athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their talent on the greatest stage in winter sport, at Alpes 2030. Synchro9 captures everything that makes synchronized skating so special - teamwork, precision, creativity and artistic unison - while presenting the discipline in a dynamic, accessible and exciting new format designed to captivate new audiences.”

“It is also fully aligned with the IOC's Fit for the Future agenda, by introducing a genuinely distinct event within the Figure Skating discipline to the Olympic Winter Games programme, through an innovative and operationally efficient format. By broadening the appeal of the Olympic programme, Synchro9 will help ensure the Games remain relevant, compelling and inspiring for future generations. We thank the IOC for its confidence and look forward to writing this historic new chapter together." 

Developed by the ISU to modernize the sport while preserving its unique identity, Synchro9 reimagines traditional Synchronized Skating through a fast-paced, urban-inspired and entertainment-driven competition format. Bringing together nine teams of nine skaters (plus one reserve per team), the event features knockout rounds, an accessible scoring system and an energetic in-arena presentation designed to deliver a thrilling experience for spectators, broadcasters and digital audiences alike, while staying true to the technical excellence, creativity and team spirit that define the discipline.

Synchro9 will kick off during the 2026/27 season with international competitions taking place in Irvine, USA (November 7-8, 2026), Vantaa, Finland (November 28-29, 2026), Rouen, France (January 29-30, 2027), and Budapest, Hungary (February 20-21, 2027), culminating at the ISU Synchronized Skating World Championships (junior and senior) in Nottingham (GBR) in March and April 2027, offering athletes the opportunity to compete in this new event format that will take Synchronized Skating onto the Olympic stage for the very first time. 

Synchronized Skating, under the new Synchro9 event format, is officially joining the Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games programme.  © IOC