The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating begins unusually this season with the Grand Prix de France held in Angers for the fourth year in a row.

When is it on?

Grand Prix de France begins Friday, 16 October with the women’s short programme and concludes Sunday, 18 October with the exhibition gala.

Who is skating?

Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) has won the men’s title every time the French Grand Prix has been held in Angers. This season he started with a disappointing fifth place at Lombardia Trophy and claiming a fourth consecutive victory looks to be a tall order here given the Frenchman faces two-time World champion Ilia Malinin (USA) who already bested him in Bergamo last month. The American was in superb form and the gold medal looks set to be his to lose. 2025 European champion Lukas Britschgi (SUI) has also competed at the last three editions of Grand Prix de France and will be aiming to step on the podium for the very first time in Angers. 2023 Four Continents champion Kao Miura (JPN) has had a poor opening to the season with only eighth at Kinoshita Group Cup and sixth at Lombardia Trophy and will be hoping for an improvement on those results in France.

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) was second at last month’s Kinoshita Group Cup and the three-time World champion will not want a repeat of that position or lower in France this weekend. 2024 World silver medallist Isabeau Levito (USA) finished fourth at last month’s Nebelhorn Trophy just behind Jia Shin (KOR) who is in her maiden senior season. 2025 Four Continents champion Chaeyeon Kim (KOR) was a dismal 12th at Nepela Memorial a few weeks ago suggesting her form is not what it has been in previous seasons. Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) is three bronze medals for three appearances at Grand Prix de France, but can she keep her streak going?

The pairs event looks to be a two-way battle. Two-time World champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara commenced this season with a win at Kinoshita Group Cup and a close second at Nebelhorn Trophy. After a subpar 2024-2025 season, 2024 World champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps (CAN) began this season with victory at the John Nicks Pairs Challenge. The Canadians will need a significantly better score if they are to contend with the Japanese. Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN) head the hunt for the third spot on the rostrum.

The ice dance event may very well serve as a preview for the upcoming 2026 European Championships. Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri (ITA) have won in Angers twice before, although last season their fortunes were mixed. The Italians will be fending off Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR) who they were bested by at this year’s World Championships. The British already have two victories this season and will be seeking a third. Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) make their international debut as a team and it will be enlightening to see where the judges put these two very experienced skaters.

Everything you need to know (and some things you did not) about the skaters, the competition schedule and results can be viewed here.

When is the skating on?

Morning till afternoon in North America, afternoon till evening in Europe and evening till early morning in Asia. The times listed for Grand Prix de France are local and if you want to know what the time difference is between where you are and Angers then this link is your friend.

Where can I watch the pretty skaters?

This season’s ISU Grand Prix can be viewed on the Skating ISU YouTube channel. Geographic restrictions may apply.

What are the hashtags?

#GPFRA #GPFigure #FigureSkating