As reported by the British Ice Skating organization, starting from the 2026/2027 season, same-sex couples will be able to participate in national competitions and championships. However, on the international stage, the rules of the International Skating Union (ISU) will continue to apply, which state that pairs must consist of participants of different genders.
Thus, the United Kingdom has joined a number of countries where same-sex couples can compete at the national level, including Canada and Finland. In this northern country, such an opportunity was already provided in the current season when Emma Aaltonen and Millie Colling became the first same-sex pair to perform in figure skating.
Famous figure skaters, such as Olympic champions Madison Hubbell and Gabriella Papadakis, have previously supported the idea of official permission for same-sex couples by performing at exhibition events. Scott Moir, a three-time world champion from Canada, noted that this decision will open new opportunities for women who face difficulties in finding male partners for figure skating.
