The 22 best teams from 17 nations are set to deliver an outstanding sporting event at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships from 9 to 11 April in Salzburg.

Artistic performances combine athletic movement in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the music and the creativity of the choreography. This promises a magnificent show on a spectacular stage. Elegance of expression, highly technical execution with great precision, as well as the highest possible degree of synchronization – this is how world-class Synchronized Skating is defined.

Local pioneers

Three years ago, Salzburg was awarded to host the Synchronized Skating World Championships 2026. The 25th edition is the first ever held on Austrian soil. Fifteen editions of the “Mozart Cup“ as one of the world’s most prestigious Synchronized Skating events, prove that the World Championships have found a reliable host here in Salzburg.

“We brought this discipline to Austria 25 years ago“, Organizing Committee Chair Carmen Kiefer remembers. „We flew to the World Championships in Helsinki in 2001 and were so inspired that we set up a team in Salzburg and have built up a great deal of expertise over the years.” She is now looking forward to a special event highlight which will bring together Salzburg’s culture and tradition with the harmonious togetherness the international figure skating world is known for.


Third major event of this decade

Following the Figure Skating European Championships 2020 in Graz and the ISU Synchronized Skating Junior World Championships 2022 in Innsbruck, Salzburg is hosting the third major international Figure Skating event in Austria within six years. “We are very proud that the ISU once again trusts us to host such important international competitions here in Austria,” emphasises Christiane Mörth, President of Skate Austria. The host country will be represented by the Team Colibris Vienna.

An atmospheric arena

There will be great enthusiasm from the stands in Salzburg. The “Salzburgarena“ is nearly sold out for both competition days with 3,000 seats available. “We are absolutely delighted that the Synchronized Skating World Championships are taking place in Salzburg. We need inspiring highlights like these World Championships so that our young people can experience their role models up close,” emphasises Bernhard Auinger, Mayor of Salzburg.

Press Conferences in Vienna and Salzburg – important statements

Michaela Schmidt, Austrian State Secretary for Sport, native of Salzburg:

“I am delighted that we’ve managed to bring the ISU Synchronized Skating World Championships to Austria. From my own days playing fistball, I know exactly how motivating home World Championships can be. I hope this will bring greater prominence and visibility to this wonderful sport here in Austria and everywhere, so that even more young people can be inspired to take up figure skating.”

“World Championships like this are an ideal opportunity to showcase sports to the home crowd. We want more children to get active and to take advantage of what sports clubs have to offer. We know that figure skating particularly appeals to girls, and so this sport plays a special role in engaging girls and young women interested in sport. I hope that many children will watch the World Championships in Salzburg and consequently take up this wonderful sport.”

Bernhard Auinger, Mayor of Salzburg:
“We are absolutely delighted that the Synchronized Skating World Championships 2026 are taking place in Salzburg and putting this beautiful sport in the spotlight. We need inspiring highlights like these World Championships so that our young people can experience their role models up close. The Salzburgarena will be sold out on both competition days, with around 80% of the audience travelling to Salzburg from abroad. This will generate a significant economic boost for the city.”

Martin Zauner, Councilor of Sport, Federal State of Salzburg:
“From the very first meeting, we sensed a highly professional approach. We are familiar with the long-standing experience and expertise of Carmen Kiefer and her team through the annual Mozart Cup. It’s fantastic that the city of Salzburg is hosting World Championships again, 20 years after der UCI Road World Championships. Thanks to this platform, the best of the best in Synchronized Skating will serve as important role models, particularly for young women and girls in Salzburg.”


Carmen Kiefer, Head of the Organizing Committee:

“Synchronized Skating is a team sport. And that’s exactly how the athletes and the fans will experience the World Championships – travelling to Salzburg from many countries and ensuring a fantastic atmosphere: plenty of action on the ice, plenty of action in the stands.”

“Preparations are going brilliantly. We will create an event that will leave lasting memories.”

Katharina Grantner, team captain Colibris Vienna, native of Salzburg:

“It will be a very emotional performance. Our families and many friends will be cheering on us in the Salzburgarena. We are really looking forward to this fantastic experience and are determined to give our best in Salzburg.“


Katharina Devitofranceschi, team captain Colibris Vienna:
“The ISU Synchronized Skating World Championships in Salzburg are a huge motivation for everyone in our team, especially for the younger skaters who were recently part of our junior team at the ISU Synchronized Skating Junior World Championships in Gdansk. Now they will experience the higher level of the Senior World Championships. We are very much looking forward to showing our best form in Salzburg.”