By: Selin Ulugbay

On December 23, the International Skating Union (ISU) issued a press release titled “Synchro 9: A new era for Synchronized Skating” where they unveiled a brand new competitive category in synchronized skating titled Synchro 9. This new format features teams of 9 skaters, and was approved by the ISU Council (outlined in ISU Communication 2759) with the goal of “enhancing the sport’s unique team spirit, sense of community and strong emotional appeal”.

The new format has the following objectives:

• Clear and Intuitive judging: This new category will feature a rebooted judging system that is clear, intuitive, and anchored in team dynamics and creativity, with the aim of greater transparency and audience understanding.
• Smaller teams for greater accessibility: Teams of 9 skaters will make it easier for skating federations to create new teams, enhancing inclusivity.
• Thrilling competition: The new category will include “a knockout structure” in a head-to-head battle format with the goal of increasing suspense and competitiveness, and delivering a compelling viewer experience.
• Themed rounds: Teams will perform within common theme rounds, enabling strong narrative expression under equal conditions. This is new to synchronized skating, where common themes have previously not been a part of competitions.

These objectives work towards unlocking the potential of Synchronized Skating. The ISU President Jae Youl Kim stated that, “By addressing barriers to entry, simplifying the format, and elevating team spirit, artistry and emotional connection, we aim to reveal the true essence of this unique discipline. […] We believe Synchro 9 will open new doors for athletes, audiences, and countries worldwide as we advance confidently toward its Olympic future.”

Further, to promote the sport and build awareness in the figure skating audience, Synchro 9 will be featured at the upcoming major events.

• ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026 in Prague – one Synchro 9 team featured at the Gala Exhibition.
• ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2026 in Salzburg – three Synchro 9 demonstration teams.

Synchronized Skating in the Youth Olympic Games

Synchro 9 has already reached a historic milestone by becoming the first Synchronized Skating category ever included in the Olympic program at the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

This inclusion is huge for the Synchronized Skating community as it will introduce Synchro to the Olympics and provide young Synchro skaters with the opportunity to compete on the Olympic stage.

Reactions to Synchro 9

While the ISU, alongside many Synchro fans, are excited for this new development, some fans have mixed opinions on the new category. The Synchro community is excited to see Synchro 9 at the Olympic stage, but many people have expressed concerns that Synchro 9 may not capture the full spirit and artistry of synchronized skating, where teams usually have 16 people.

The Synchro community has voiced how nine skaters may not be able to perform the complex and challenging elements that make Synchro an amazing spectator sport. People have explained via Instagram that they believe Synchro 9 will not be synchronized skating as we know it, but something totally new because of all the different rules and the drastic change in skater numbers. Some supporters of Synchro have also drawn the comparison that the idea of Synchro 9 is similar to the Elite 12 category that was previously developed. In 2021, Philippe Maitrot, Chair of the Technical Committee for Synchronized Skating at the ISU, announced a new category called “Elite 12” where 12 skaters are on a synchronized skating team.

The goal was that the addition of this category would increase the chances of synchronized skating becoming an Olympic sport, although this did not happen in 2022 or 2026. Many Elite 12 teams exist globally today, but Elite 12 has not been added to either the World Championships or the Olympic Games.

A Combined World Championship

In the November 29th ISU communication, the ISU Council reviewed a “Combined World Championships” proposition that would unite all four ISU disciplines (singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronized skating) under one global championship. They expressed that a “preferred bidder has been identified, with development and feasibility work continuing into 2026” and stated that formal confirmation of the Combined World Championships concept is targeted for spring 2026. With the addition of Synchro 9 into the Youth Olympic Games and the possible inclusion of synchro in the World Figure Skating Championships, Synchro skaters and fans alike wait eagerly to watch how synchronized skating will continue to grow and develop.

The ultimate goal? To have the sport added to the Olympics in the coming years, thus propelling our discipline forward and bringing synchro into the spotlight.

Learn more:

https://www.isu.org/news/synchro-9-a-new-era-for-synchronized-skating-begins/

Jura Synchro

2759-Decisions-of-the-Council—November-29-1766414617-0195.pdf