Beijing's figure skaters take to the ice at National Aquatics Center

The 2025 Beijing Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating League opened on June 13 at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing. The three-day competition brought together a record of over 400 athletes from 31 clubs and schools across the city, highlighting the sport's growing popularity in Beijing.

A skater compete in the 2025 Beijing Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating League at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, June 13-15, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Recognized as a key annual event on Beijing's ice sports calendar, the league features a variety of disciplines including singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronized skating, with categories ranging from youth to adult levels.

A skater compete in the 2025 Beijing Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating League at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, June 13-15, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Designed as both a competitive platform and a developmental opportunity, the league offers young skaters the chance to hone their skills and gain valuable experience. It also plays a vital role in cultivating future talent and promoting the long-term development of ice sports in Beijing.

Skaters chat rink-side during the 2025 Beijing Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating League at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, June 13-15, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

This year's edition was hosted at the venue's underground Ice Sports Center, a state-of-the-art facility equipped with Olympic-standard ice rinks, high-level event logistics and professional management teams.

A skater and her coach wait for the scores in the "kiss-and-cry area" after her performance in the 2025 Beijing Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating League at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, June 13-15, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

In keeping with its dual-Olympic legacy, the center introduced a multi-tiered viewing experience for this year's league. Fans were able to watch the action rink-side, from a mezzanine viewing space or at an outdoor fan zone on the venue's south square, where live screenings, seating and food vendors offered a more relaxed environment for spectators to enjoy.

The event also reflects the center's broader shift from being a specialized competition venue to becoming a year-round destination for sport, culture and recreation. This summer, the venue is launching a series of programs combining ice and water sports, aimed at giving young people an engaging and active alternative for their holidays.

With an eye toward hosting more top-tier events in the coming years, the center continues to expand its role in promoting winter sports and fostering a lasting skating culture in the capital.