The ISU Grand Prix Series 2025-2026 is set to get rolling. For most seasons, Skate America kicks off the six-event series, but this time around, France will host the first event.
The Grand Prix de France takes place from 17 to 19 October and will feature multiple Olympic and world champions looking to make a mark early in the Olympic season ahead of Milano Cortina 2026.
Grand Prix de France was first held in 1987 in Paris. When the ISU launched what was then-known as the Championship Series in 1995, Grand Prix de France became part of the series. Trophée de France, the Trophée Lalique, the Trophée Éric Bompard and the Internationaux de France are just some of the names that this event has been called. It has been Grand Prix de France since 2022.
Let us have a look at the top contenders at Grand Prix de France 2025.
Grand Prix de France 2025-26: Top Athletes To Watch
Men’s Singles: A Clash of Champions
Adam Siao Him Fa returns to his home Grand Prix as the three-time defending champion, having captured titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Last year, he made history by leaping from eighth after the short program to first overall- a feat never before achieved at a Grand Prix event in any discipline. Now, in what could be his final Grand Prix de France before the Olympics, the French skater faces his toughest challenge yet.
That challenge comes in the form of Ilia Malinin of the United States, the reigning double World Champion. Malinin has been undefeated since finishing second to Siao Him Fa in Angers in 2023- a competition he led after the short program before falling just 2.61 points short in the free skate. Their rematch is one of the most anticipated showdowns of the season.
Nika Egadze of Georgia is also poised for a breakthrough. He recently claimed silver at the Denis Ten Memorial and recorded a personal best total score of 266.90, putting him in serious contention for his first Grand Prix podium.
Switzerland’s Lukas Britschgi, the 2025 European Champion, returns to Angers in much stronger form than last year when he finished ninth. With a bronze already under his belt from the Nebelhorn Trophy this season, Britschgi has his sights set on the Grand Prix podium.
Women’s Singles: Sakamoto Looks to Extend Dominance
In the women’s field, Kaori Sakamoto of Japan enters as the clear favorite. Undefeated in Grand Prix events over the past two seasons, the reigning World Champion is aiming to extend her streak and establish her Olympic dominance early in the season.
Her teammate Rion Sumiyoshi is chasing her own piece of Grand Prix history. After earning bronze at the last three editions of Grand Prix de France, Sumiyoshi is eager to break through to higher ground. She starts the season with momentum, having defeated reigning world champion Alysa Liu at the Lombardia Trophy.
Also returning to Angers is Isabeau Levito, who captured her first Grand Prix win here in 2022. After spending much of last season sidelined with injury, the American made a strong comeback with a fourth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships. A confident and healthy Levito could be a major threat.
From Korea, Kim Chaeyeon continues her ascent. The reigning Four Continents Champion and 2024 World bronze medallist was fourth at Grand Prix de France last year and could be a serious podium contender this time around.
Ice Dance: Cizeron’s High-Profile Comeback
Perhaps the most compelling storyline of the event comes in ice dance, where six-time Grand Prix de France winner Guillaume Cizeron returns to competition with a new partner, Laurence Fournier-Beaudry. After stepping away from competition following the 2022 Olympics, Cizeron- a reigning Olympic champion with former partner Gabriella Papadakis- announced the new pairing earlier this year with ambitions for Milano Cortina 2026.
The duo impressed with a dominant win at the Masters de Patinage in August, but Grand Prix de France marks their first test against top-tier international competition.
Also in the mix are Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius, who recently secured an Olympic spot for Lithuania with a win at the Skate to Milano Qualifier in Beijing, and Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin, coming off a victory at the Denis Ten Memorial.
Pairs: World Champions Face Fierce Rivals
In the pairs competition, all eyes will be on Japan’s Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, the reigning World Champions. The duo has already claimed victory at the Kinoshita Group Cup this season, but narrowly missed gold at Nebelhorn Trophy, finishing just 0.35 points behind the winners. They’ll be looking to reassert their dominance in Angers.
Standing in their way are Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, the 2024 World Champions and winners of the Grand Prix de France in 2022. Undefeated in Grand Prix events since that triumph, the Canadian pair are a formidable threat to reclaim their crown.
Also Read: ISU Figure Skating Calendar 2025-26: Grand Prix Schedule And Athlete Assignments
ISU Grand Prix de France 2025: Full schedule
All times are CET (UTC+1).
| Date | Time (CET) | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 17 Oct | 18:00 – 19:29 | Women’s Singles – Short Program |
| 19:50 – 20:54 | Pair Skating – Short Program | |
| Saturday, 18 Oct | 13:00 – 14:18 | Ice Dance – Rhythm Dance |
| 14:40 – 16:27 | Women’s Singles – Free Skating | |
| 18:10 – 19:39 | Men’s Singles – Short Program | |
| 20:00 – 21:16 | Pair Skating – Free Skating | |
| Sunday, 19 Oct | 11:30 – 13:01 | Ice Dance – Free Dance |
| 13:20 – 15:07 | Men’s Singles – Free Skating | |
| 19:00 – 21:30 | Exhibition Gala |
ISU Grand Prix de France 2025: How to watch live
Fans across the globe can catch the action live on the following broadcast networks:
- Australia – SBS Australia
- Canada – CBC
- People’s Republic of China – CCTV
- France – France TV
- Great Britain – BBC
- Japan – TV Asahi
- Republic of Korea – SBS Korea
- United States – NBC & Peacock
