Alysa Liu’s competitive events for the 2025–2026 season focus on the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and the ISU Grand Prix circuit. After returning from a two-year retirement in 2024, Liu has successfully re-established herself as a top-tier international contender, aiming for podium finishes at major global championships.
The Significance of Alysa Liu’s 2025–2026 Event Calendar
As we navigate the 2025–2026 figure skating season, the trajectory of Alysa Liu represents one of the most compelling narratives in the sport. Liu, a two-time U.S. National Champion (2019, 2020) and a 2022 World Bronze Medalist, shocked the skating world by retiring at age 16 in April 2022. Her decision to return to competitive skating in early 2024 shifted the landscape of the women's singles discipline, particularly as the International Skating Union (ISU) transitioned through significant rule changes regarding age eligibility and scoring components.
For fans and analysts, "Alysa Liu events" are no longer just about the technical mastery of the triple Axel; they are about the evolution of an athlete who stepped away on her own terms and returned with a renewed perspective. This season is the culmination of that comeback, centered on the pursuit of Olympic hardware and the stabilization of her legacy as one of America's most decorated skaters of the modern era.
The Road to Milano Cortina: Primary 2026 Events
The 2025–2026 season is defined by the Winter Olympic Games. For Alysa Liu, every event leading up to February 2026 has served as a strategic building block to ensure peak physical condition and maximum point potential under the current judging system.
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games
The most critical event on Liu’s calendar is the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Having competed in the 2022 Beijing Games, where she finished seventh, Liu entered the 2026 cycle with the advantage of experience. The Olympic event consists of the Short Program and the Free Skate, with Liu’s primary challenge being the technical density of the field.
Her participation in the team event is also a significant factor. Depending on the United States' strategy, Liu’s consistency makes her a prime candidate for either the short or long program segments of the team competition, which occurs in the days prior to the individual women’s event.
U.S. Figure Skating Championships 2026
To qualify for the Olympic team, Liu had to navigate the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Historically, Liu has thrived in this environment, becoming the youngest woman ever to win the title at age 13. The 2026 Nationals served not only as a qualifying event but as a psychological benchmark. Facing off against domestic rivals like Isabeau Levito and Amber Glenn, Liu’s performance at this event was a decisive indicator of her readiness for the international stage.
ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026
Following the Olympics, the World Championships represent the final major event of the 2026 season. For an athlete like Liu, the post-Olympic Worlds are often a test of endurance and motivation. Having already secured a bronze medal in 2022, her goal for the 2026 event in Prague is to improve upon her previous standing and solidify her ranking heading into the next quadrennial.
Historical Context: The Foundation of Her Event Portfolio
Understanding the current schedule requires a look at the events that defined her early career. Liu was a phenom who broke records early, which heavily influenced the expectations placed upon her during her comeback.
- 2019 U.S. Championships: At just 13, she became the youngest champion in history, landing two triple Axels in her free skate.
- 2020 U.S. Championships: She defended her title, becoming the first American woman to land a quadruple jump (Lutz) and a triple Axel in the same program.
- 2022 World Championships: Following a turbulent Olympic season involving a coaching change and a COVID-19 diagnosis, she won the bronze medal in Montpellier, France. This was the first world medal for a U.S. woman since 2016.
These historical events established her "technical ceiling." When she returned to events in 2024 and 2025, the focus was less on the quad Lutz—which she phased out due to the physical toll—and more on the triple Axel and high-quality program components (PCS).
Technical Requirements and Event Preparation
Competitive figure skating events in 2026 are governed by strict technical requirements. For Alysa Liu, the strategy for her current events revolves around the "Balance of Difficulty."
Jump Sequences and Combinations
In her recent events, Liu has focused on the Triple Axel. While many skaters struggle with the jump's consistency, Liu’s technique involves a low-trajectory, high-rotational speed approach that minimizes impact. In the 2025–2026 season, her programs typically feature:
- A Triple Axel in the Short Program (required or as the solo Axel jump).
- One or two Triple Axels in the Free Skate.
- The Triple Lutz-Triple Toeloop combination, which carries a high base value.
Choreography and Program Components
A major shift in Liu’s 2026 events is the emphasis on artistry. During her "first" career, she was often criticized for "skating between the jumps." Since her return, she has collaborated with world-renowned choreographers to improve her edge work, musicality, and transitions. This is reflected in her Program Component Scores (PCS), which have seen a steady increase, making her competitive even when up against skaters with higher technical difficulty.
Comparing Event Tiers in Figure Skating
For fans following Alysa Liu, it is important to distinguish between the different types of events and how they impact her world standing.
| Event Type | Governing Body | Frequency | Significance for Alysa Liu |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISU Grand Prix | International Skating Union | Annual (Autumn) | Used to gain world ranking points and test new programs against top international talent. |
| U.S. Championships | U.S. Figure Skating | Annual (January) | The primary selection event for the World and Olympic teams. |
| CS Challenger Series | ISU | Annual (Early Season) | Lower-stakes events used to achieve "minimum technical scores" and refine performance. |
| Winter Olympics | IOC / ISU | Every 4 Years | The pinnacle of the sport; Liu’s primary focus for the 2026 season. |
| World Championships | ISU | Annual (March) | Determines the number of entries a country receives for the following year's events. |
The Logistics of Attending and Watching Events
For those looking to follow "Alysa Liu events" in person or via broadcast, the landscape of 2026 offers several options.
Domestic Events (USA)
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships and Skate America (part of the Grand Prix) are the primary domestic opportunities to see Liu. Tickets for these events typically go on sale six to nine months in advance through the host city’s local organizing committee or the U.S. Figure Skating fan zone.
International Broadcasts
In the United States, NBC Sports holds the primary broadcast rights for major skating events. Most of Liu’s competitions are streamed live on Peacock, with selected highlights airing on NBC or USA Network. Internationally, the ISU often provides a YouTube live stream (the "ISU Skating Channel") for regions where a primary broadcaster does not hold exclusive rights.
Event Verification and Results
To track Liu’s scores in real-time, the ISU Results portal provides detailed "protocol" sheets. These documents break down every jump, spin, and component score, allowing fans to see exactly how Liu performed relative to the technical panel’s expectations.
Challenges and Considerations in the 2026 Season
While the 2026 season is a celebratory period for Liu's fans, it is not without its hurdles. The physical demands of the sport remain a primary concern for an athlete in her early 20s returning after a hiatus.
- Injury Prevention: The return to landing high-impact jumps like the triple Axel requires a rigorous off-ice conditioning program. Liu has spoken openly about the importance of recovery and listening to her body to avoid the stress fractures that plague younger skaters.
- The "New" Field: The retirement of several Russian skaters and the rise of new Japanese and Korean talents have changed the competitive dynamic. Liu must contend with skaters who have stayed in the system continuously while she was away.
- Judging Trends: Scoring in 2026 places a higher premium on "skating skills" (one of the three PCS categories). Liu has spent the last two years refining her deep edges to meet these evolving standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Alysa Liu decide to return to competitive skating?
Alysa Liu officially announced her comeback in March 2024. After two years away from the sport, she cited a missed passion for competing and a desire to experience the 2026 Olympic cycle with a more mature perspective. Her return was facilitated by her training at the skating facilities in California, where she reconnected with the competitive environment.
What happened to Alysa Liu’s quadruple jumps?
During her early career, Alysa Liu was famous for landing the quadruple Lutz. However, following her return in 2024, she and her coaching team decided to prioritize the triple Axel and clean triple-triple combinations. This decision was made to prolong her career and reduce the risk of injury, as the current scoring system rewards clean, high-quality triples over flawed or under-rotated quadruples.
How does Alysa Liu qualify for the 2026 World Championships?
Qualification for the World Championships is determined by a skater's performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Typically, the top three finishers in the women's event earn a spot on the World team, provided they have met the ISU’s minimum technical score requirements in earlier international "Challenger" events.
Is Alysa Liu still training with her original coaches?
Liu has worked with several coaches throughout her career. During her 2024–2026 comeback, she has utilized a collaborative coaching environment that emphasizes athlete autonomy. This approach differs from the high-pressure, singular-coach models common in the sport, allowing her to balance her skating events with her personal life and education.
Where can I find the official schedule for Alysa Liu’s next competition?
The most reliable source for Alysa Liu’s specific event entries is the U.S. Figure Skating "International Assignments" page or the ISU "Entries/Results" portal. These sites are updated as soon as a skater is officially assigned to a Grand Prix, Challenger, or Championship event.
Recommended Actions for Fans and Analysts
If you are following Alysa Liu’s journey through the 2026 season, the most effective way to stay informed is to monitor the ISU Grand Prix standings starting in October. These early-season events provide the necessary data to predict her performance at the U.S. Championships and the Olympics.
Furthermore, those interested in the technical aspects of her events should review the ISU Judging System (IJS) handbooks. Understanding the "Base Value" of her triple Axel versus her competitors' technical layouts will provide a clearer picture of her path to the podium. Finally, ensure you are registered for alerts from the Milano Cortina 2026 official website for specific scheduling of the women’s figure skating segments, as these are subject to change based on broadcasting requirements.
