History: Beginning with the 2019-20 season, U.S. Figure Skating debuted a national qualifying competitive pipeline for ice dance (as well as singles and pairs). While junior and senior teams qualify and compete at the annual U.S. National Championships, starting in 2026-27 athletes at the juvenile, intermediate and novice level will qualify for the U.S. National Development Team Championships.
What is the National Qualifying Series (NQS)?
The National Qualifying Series (NQS) is a series of official U.S. Figure Skating approved competitions hosted individually by member clubs nationwide that are held in a standard format and in which athletes earn a score. They will earn a placement in the individual competition they enter, an overall national ranking in their level and a regional and sectional ranking. The competitions are held between July 9 – October 4 and serve juvenile – senior competitors in singles, dance and pairs.
New this year (2026/27):
- New this year, juvenile, intermediate and novice singles, pairs and ice dance athletes will have the opportunity to advance from the Finals to the new U.S. Development Team Championships.
Key highlights:
- Athletes must enter the NQS directly with U.S. Figure Skating.
- Due to limited competitive opportunities, ice dance athletes are not limited and can register for as many official competitions as they choose.
- Only the athlete or team’s highest Total Score (TS) counts.
- The top six ranking singles athletes in each section earn a bye to the Sectional Singles Final.
- The top three ranking dance or pairs teams nationwide earn a bye the U.S. Pairs or U.S. Dance Final.
- Athletes receive an official ‘national ranking’ and a certificate and pin to recognize their achievement.
- To maximize qualifying season readiness, athletes are encouraged to utilize non-NQS competitions to explore new material, try new elements and gain valuable feedback.
- U.S. Figure Skating Qualifying Series Competition Central (2026-27)
- 2026-27 NQS Participant Handbook
- 2026-27 Official NQS Events
- 2026-27 NQS Overview for First-Time Athletes/Coaches/Officials Presentation
Ice Dance Test Qualifications and Age Requirements
For test qualifications and age requirement deadlines for qualifying competitions, see the 2026-27 NQS Participant Handbook. Test qualifications for nonqualifying events must be met by closing date of entries. The table below is from Section 8400 of the 2025-26 Rulebook.
| COMPETITIVE LEVEL | MINIMUM TEST QUALIFICATIONS | AGE REQUIREMENTS |
| Senior | Both partners must have passed the gold skating skills test, the standard partnered gold dance test or higher and the gold partnered free dance test. | None. |
| Junior | Both partners must have passed the pre-gold skating skills test or higher, at least two standard partnered pre-gold dances or higher and the pre-gold partnered free dance test or higher. Athletes may not have competed as a team in a qualifying competition at the senior level. | None. |
| Novice | Both partners must have passed the silver skating skills test or higher, at least one dance standard partnered silver dance or higher and the silver partnered free dance test or higher. Athletes may not have competed as a team in a qualifying competition at the junior level or higher. | None. |
| Intermediate | Both partners must have passed the pre-silver skating skills test or higher, the standard partnered bronze dance test or higher and the pre-silver partnered free dance test or higher. Athletes may not have competed as a team in a qualifying competition at the novice level or higher. | Age as of the July 1 that immediately precedes the relevant competition: Under 18 years of age. |
| Juvenile | Both partners must have passed the bronze skating skills test or higher, the standard partnered preliminary dance test or higher and the bronze partnered free dance test or higher. Athletes may not have competed as a team in a qualifying competition at the intermediate level or higher. | Age as of the July 1 that immediately precedes the relevant competition: Under 16 years of age. |
| Pre-Juvenile | Both partners must have passed the preliminary skating skills test or higher and at least two standard partnered preliminary dances or higher. Athletes may not have competed as a team in a qualifying competition. | Age as of the July 1 that immediately precedes the relevant competition: Under 14 year of age. |
How do I register for the 2026-2027 National Qualifying Series events?
Athletes enter the overall NQS by logging onto U.S. Figure Skating’s Event Management System. The deadline to register is TBD. From there, athletes enter any of the above competitions they choose separately, by the entry deadline posted by the competition host. All NQS events are entered through EMS, as well.
A current membership for the 2026-27 season is required to complete the EMS Series Application (membership must be fully processed with home club AND U.S. Figure Skating) and participate in approved NQS Competitions.
All NQS events will be conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures outlined in the NQS Participant Handbook.
What are the 2026-2027 National Qualifying Series events?
| DATES | EVENT | LOCATION |
| July 9-12, 2026 | Dallas Classic Registration opening: May 6 Registration deadline: See announcement | Plano, Texas |
| July 27-30, 2026 | Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships Registration opening: May 6 Registration deadline: June 27 Late registration: June 27-30 | Lake Placid, New York |
| August 19-22, 2026 | Skate Detroit Registration opening: June 10 Registration deadline: July 8 Late registration: July 9-12 | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| September 24-27, 2026 | Challenge Cup Registration opening: July 8 Registration deadline: August 28 | Ardmore, Pennsylvania |
| October 1-4, 2026 | Broadmoor Fall Classic Registration opening: July 8 Registration deadline: August 16 Late registration: August 17-September 1 | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
Where is the 2027 U.S. Ice Dance Final?
The 2027 U.S. Ice Dance Final will be held in conjunction with the 2027 Midwestern Sectional Championships for singles from November 9-15, 2026 in Bloomfield, Michigan.
Who qualifies for the 2027 U.S. National Championships?
SENIOR: Based on the 2025-26 criteria, a maximum of 15 available spots (including byes) at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Competitors must have achieved the combined total element score (CTES). After byes, the remainder of the quota will be filled by the top scores from the NQS Final. More information (including updated bye criteria) will be added once it is available.
JUNIOR: Based on the 2025-26 criteria, a maximum of 10 available spots (plus byes if applicable) at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The top ten total combined junior scores from the nation in the NQS Final for ice dance will qualify for the U.S. Championships. Team(s) that qualify for the 2026 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final receive a bye.
Who qualifies for the 2027 U.S. National Development Team Championships?
NOVICE: The top 10 scoring teams from the NQS Final for ice dance qualify for the U.S. National Development Team Championships.
INTERMEDIATE: The top 10 scoring teams from the NQS Final for ice dance qualify for the U.S. National Development Team Championships.
JUVENILE: The top 10 scoring teams from the NQS Final for ice dance qualify for the U.S. National Development Team Championships.