NHK Trophy 2026: Tokyo’s final stop on the road to the Grand Prix Final

The NHK Trophy 2026 arrives in Tokyo from 27–29 November as the sixth and final stop of the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix series. Held at Keio Arena Tokyo, the event brings together leading men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance competitors just two weeks before the Grand Prix Final in Chongqing, making the Tokyo weekend particularly important for skaters still chasing one of the season’s final qualification places.

NHK Trophy 2026 schedule

The official NHK Trophy schedule spans three days, with short programs and rhythm dance on Friday, free skating on Saturday, and the exhibition gala closing the event on Sunday.

The organisers note that competition times remain subject to change. The exhibition is expected to feature the top three finishers in each discipline alongside additional skaters selected by the organisers.

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Why NHK Trophy 2026 could decide the Grand Prix Final lineup

The ISU Grand Prix 2026 season moves through six events across France, Canada, China, the United States, Finland, and Japan before culminating at the Grand Prix Final in Chongqing from 10–13 December. NHK Trophy therefore represents the final opportunity for athletes competing in Tokyo to add Grand Prix points to their season totals.

Only the top six competitors or teams in men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance qualify for the Final. By the time the series reaches Tokyo, results from the first five stops will already have established much of the standings, leaving NHK Trophy to settle the remaining qualification places and potentially determine seeding among those who advance.

That creates a different atmosphere from an early-season Grand Prix. Some skaters may arrive needing a specific placement to stay in contention, while others could be trying to strengthen an already promising position. The significance of each performance will become much clearer once the preceding Grand Prix events have been completed.

NHK Trophy 2026 could decide the Grand Prix Final lineup.

NHK Trophy skaters to watch

The provisional list of NHK Trophy skaters gives the men’s event particular depth. Three-time World Champion Ilia Malinin is scheduled to compete alongside Japan’s Shun Sato and rising senior Rio Nakata, as well as Junhwan Cha, Jason Brown, Kevin Aymoz, Daniel Grassl, and Lukas Britschgi.

Three-time World Champion Ilia Malinin

For the women’s field, Japan’s Mone Chiba will compete on home ice against Amber Glenn, Chaeyeon Kim, Jia Shin, Kimmy Repond, Young You, and other challengers. With Glenn entering the season as a former Grand Prix Final champion and Chiba as a two-time World medallist, the field combines established contenders with emerging talents.

Amber Glenn enters the season as a former Grand Prix Final champion.

Pairs and ice dance add further championship experience:

• Pairs: Reigning World Champions Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin headline the field.
• Ice dance: World bronze medallists Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik are joined by Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, Marjorie Lajoie and Jean-Luc Baker, Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck.

Tokyo hosts the final Grand Prix weekend

Positioning the final Grand Prix stop in Tokyo gives the NHK Trophy figure skating weekend a clear narrative: six consecutive weeks of competition reach their conclusion in Japan before the season’s leading performers move on to Chongqing.

Keio Arena Tokyo will stage both competition days and Sunday’s gala, allowing spectators to follow every discipline within a single weekend. For international visitors, the timing also creates an opportunity to build the event into a longer Tokyo stay rather than treating the competition as a standalone sporting trip.

The strongest storyline, however, will develop on the ice. With several established World and Olympic medallists joined by emerging senior competitors, NHK Trophy could provide both major head-to-head contests and the final qualification drama of the Grand Prix season.

Extend NHK Trophy into a late-autumn Japan escape

Late November is an appealing time to experience Tokyo beyond the rink. Autumn foliage typically brings colour to parks, gardens, and temple grounds across the city, while cooler temperatures make it comfortable to explore neighbourhoods, dining districts, and cultural attractions between competition sessions.

Travellers can also extend the trip beyond Tokyo. A few additional days could incorporate Kyoto’s autumn temples, a stay at a luxury ryokan and onsen, or an early-season mountain escape in destinations such as Hakone, Nagano, or Hokkaido.

Extend NHK Trophy into a late-autumn Japan escape

Experience NHK Trophy 2026 in Tokyo with MA Hospitality Group

A trip to the NHK Trophy can be shaped around more than the competition itself. MA Hospitality Group can assist with a tailored Tokyo itinerary incorporating luxury accommodation, private transportation, dining reservations, and selected city experiences around the skating schedule.

For guests looking to attend NHK Trophy 2026, our team can also assist with event access, creating a personalised Tokyo stay around one of the decisive weekends of the international figure skating season.

Contact us today to plan your ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix experience.

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