Junior Grand Prix figure skating comes to Abu Dhabi for the first time

Abu Dhabi is set to make history as the first city in the Middle East and Africa to host the Junior Grand Prix Figure Skating Championship, with the 2025 edition welcoming 90 skaters from 35 countries.

Organised under the umbrella of the International Skating Union (ISU) and sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the prestigious event will take place from 8–11 October at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink. It forms part of the five-round global series, with the UAE staging the penultimate round of the competition.

The championship will feature three main disciplines: men’s singles, women’s singles, and pairs – showcasing a global lineup of elite junior athletes and rising stars in figure skating.

Hamel Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Vice President of the UAE Winter Sports Federation, emphasized that hosting this event is a testament to the International Skating Union’s confidence in the UAE’s growing presence on the global sports stage.

“This championship marks a key opportunity to develop national talent by allowing our athletes to compete alongside the world’s best,” said Al Qubaisi. “It also highlights the UAE’s emergence as a serious player in winter sports, and aligns with our broader strategy to diversify the local sports landscape.”

He further noted that the event contributes to the UAE’s ambitions to promote sports tourism and foster international cultural exchange through sport.

The Junior Grand Prix is a vital platform for future Olympians and world champions, and its arrival in Abu Dhabi signals a new chapter for figure skating in the region – one focused on inclusion, opportunity, and growth.