In one month, the spotlight will shine on Salzburg for one of the most traditional winter sport disciplines. The hometown of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is hosting the World Championship in Synchronized Skating, the newest discipline of Figure Skating. The Synchronized Skating World Championships on 10 and 11 April in the “Salzburgarena“ promises an exciting sporting competition and a special spectacle full of glittering moments.


‘United in Skating!’ The official motto of the 2026 Synchronized Skating World Championship describes the high expectations for an extraordinary sporting highlight. On the second weekend in April, the skating world will be looking eagerly to Salzburg, where the best in Synchronized Skating will showcase their skills in enchanting programs.

Exactly one month before the World Championships, the anticipation is also growing for Carmen Kiefer, Head of OC. “The World Championships are currently the biggest and most important stage for synchronized skaters,’ she emphasises.

The highlight of the season

On 10 and 11 April, the 22 best teams in the world from 17 different nations will demonstrate the artistic elegance with which well-rehearsed formations move in unison and yet in constantly changing formations on the ice. They harmoniously blend athletic movements in synchrony with rhythm and melody. “Synchronized Skating is a highly technical, spectacular and crowd-pleasing spectacle,“, says Kiefer. “This is also reflected in the high demand for tickets.“ Those who perfect the synchronicity with a technically clean execution of their elements will leave Salzburg with medals around their necks.

Fans from all over the world

The World Championships in the “Salzburgarena“ will be a sporting celebration, bringing together local sports enthusiasts and fans from many different countries travelling to Salzburg. Event manager Katharina Rauch is very satisfied with ticket sales: “The arena is already well booked for all three days, with only a few remaining tickets available.“ 2,500 spectators will fill the arena on each of the three days.
The opening ceremony on Thursday evening, 9 April, will be the first emotional highlight. Salzburg schools and kindergartens, as well as organizations and the Austrian Special Olympics Synchronized Skating team, will take part in the show, building excitement for the two following competition days. On 10 April for the Short Programs and on 11 April for the Free programs, the stage will belong entirely to the world’s best teams as they strive for gold, silver and bronze.

Local OC in the final stages of preparation

While the teams are putting the finishing touches to their preparations in order to deliver their best performance on the ice in Salzburg, the organizational preparations for the Synchronized Skating World Championship 2026 have been in full swing for months. “We will create an event and experience for athletes and visitors at the Salzburg Arena that they will remember,“ promises Kiefer.

The 25th edition of the Synchronized Skating World Championship is the first on Austrian soil. Salzburg is hosting its first World Championships in sports since the 2006 UCI Cycling World Championships. The enchanting images of the performances of the best Synchronized Skating teams will be broadcast by ORF to large parts of the world – and thus also present Salzburg in the best possible light in the world of sports. “Our wonderful sport will reach a wide audience. This is of considerable value not only for Synchronized Skating as a growing sport, but also for Salzburg and Austria,“ says event coordinator Theresa Katzlinger.