South African Figure Skating Championships set to showcase a sport building its future

The South African National Figure Skating Championships 2026 will return to Cape Town from Sunday, 10 May to Tuesday, 12 May 2026, bringing the country’s leading skaters together at The Ice Station, GrandWest Casino for three days of national competition, performance, and rising talent. Hosted by the Western Province Figure Skating Association in conjunction with the South African Figure Skating Association (SAFSA), the championships will give eligible athletes from across the country the chance to compete at the highest domestic level.

For spectators, the event offers a rare opportunity to watch South Africa’s top figure skaters in one venue. Daily tickets are available at R80 plus booking fee, while a season ticket covering all sessions across all days is available at R120 plus booking fee available through Quicket. Official practice sessions are free to attend, giving supporters, families, and new fans an early look at the athletes as they prepare to compete.

For SAFSA President Christo Viljoen, this year’s National Championships represents more than a competition.

“As we approach our upcoming National Championships, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what this event truly represents, not only as a competition, but as a statement of who we are and where South African figure skating is heading. This championship has been built through genuine collaboration. The Local Organising Committee and the SAFSA Executive have taken each other’s hands with a shared commitment to deliver a championship worthy of our athletes and our sport.”

He says that the spirit of collaboration has shaped the event from early planning through to final preparations.

“What makes this achievement even more meaningful is that it has been accomplished entirely by volunteers. Putting together a national event of this scale requires extraordinary dedication, long hours, problem-solving and behind-the-scenes commitment. Their hard work will be felt by every athlete who takes to the ice.”

Viljoen says one of SAFSA’s central priorities is ensuring that more athletes can access meaningful development and competitive opportunities.

“Affordability remains one of the most important and complex challenges facing our sport,” he says. “As an Executive, we have chosen a clear path to ensure that development funding is used for its true purpose, which is creating access and opportunity.”

He adds that attracting additional funding remains a key priority for the federation. SAFSA is engaging with potential sponsors and stakeholders while strengthening its marketing approach as participation and public interest in the sport continue to grow.

The championships also form part of a broader competitive vision. According to Viljoen, the SAFSA Executive has aligned itself around two central focus areas: opportunity and competition.

“Expanding competitive opportunities is essential if we are to inspire improvement and long-term commitment from our athletes. The introduction of four Inter-Provincial Championships, together with a SAFSA Finals event, will open new pathways to compete, measure progress, and aspire to higher standards.”

More competition creates pressure, but also purpose. It gives skaters a reason to sharpen programmes, test themselves against deeper fields and keep returning to the ice when training gets hard. That is where the future of the sport is built, not in speeches but in early mornings, repeated run-throughs and the quiet work nobody applauds until a programme lands clean.

“What excites us most is the momentum we are seeing on the ice. More athletes are pushing for podium positions, depth is increasing across categories, and the standard of competition continues to rise. We firmly believe that competition drives excellence.”

He says this year’s Nationals will reflect the progress already visible across South African skating.

“As President, I am proud of what has been achieved through unity, shared responsibility and an unwavering belief in the future of our sport. This National Championship is not only a celebration of performance. It is a reflection of a collective vision for growth, accessibility and excellence.”

SAFSA has thanked the volunteers, judges, officials, coaches, parents, partners and athletes who have contributed to making the event possible and has encouraged supporters to attend and be part of the championship atmosphere.

“I wish all competitors an inspiring and rewarding championship and look forward to witnessing a Nationals that reflects the passion, resilience, and promise of South African figure skating,” concluded Viljoen.