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If you’ve watched any figure skating in the last decade, you know the vibe. The lights dim, the crowd goes silent, and then Madison Chock and Evan Bates glide out. They look like they’re sharing a secret. Honestly, it's because they usually are.
As of January 2026, they aren't just "another" ice dance team. They are living legends. Just days ago in St. Louis, they did the unthinkable—winning their seventh U.S. National title. That’s not just a personal best; it’s a record. They officially passed Meryl Davis and Charlie White for the most U.S. ice dance titles in history.
Seven. Let that sink in for a second.
They’ve been skating together since 2011. In a sport where partnerships often blow up after a single bad season, these two have survived 15 years. They’ve gone from being "the new kids" to the married veterans that everyone is trying to beat. And with the Milan Cortina Olympics right around the corner, the pressure is higher than it’s ever been.
The Record-Breaking Run to 2026
Winning seven national titles isn't just about talent. It’s about grit. Most skaters retire by their late 20s. Madi is 33 now. Evan is 36. If they make it to the ice in Italy next month, they’ll be the oldest American man and woman to compete on a U.S. Olympic figure skating team in nearly a century.
People love to talk about "longevity," but for Chock and Bates, it’s about evolution. Their 2026 free dance to a flamenco-style version of "Paint It Black" is basically a masterclass in drama. They aren't just doing steps. They’re telling a story. Evan looks like he’s playing a character out of Westworld, and Madi’s precision is, frankly, terrifying.
At the 2026 U.S. Championships, they didn't just win; they dominated. They put up a total score of 228.87. That’s a massive gap over the silver medalists, Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. It’s the kind of score that sends a message to the rest of the world: We aren't done yet.
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Why the Beijing Gold Medal Was So Complicated
You might remember the 2022 Beijing Olympics. It was a mess. Between the COVID bubbles and the doping scandals, the "vibe" was off. For Chock and Bates, it was bittersweet. They skated their hearts out but finished fourth in the individual event.
However, they were part of the U.S. team that originally took silver. Then came the Kamila Valieva situation. It took years—literal years—of legal battles before the Court of Arbitration for Sport finally disqualified the Russian team.
They didn't actually get their gold medals until the summer of 2024. Imagine that. You win the biggest prize of your life, but you have to wait over two years to actually hold it. They finally received them in a special ceremony during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Bates has said in interviews that it still feels surreal to hear themselves introduced as "Olympic Gold Medalists."
The "Three-Peat" at Worlds
While the Olympic medal was caught up in red tape, they were busy winning everything else.
- 2023: First World Title.
- 2024: Defended the crown.
- 2025: Secured the historic "three-peat" in Boston.
Becoming three-time World Champions (2023–2025) changed their legacy. They became the first ice dance team to win three straight world titles in 28 years. That’s the kind of consistency you only see once in a generation.
More Than Just Partners: The Marriage Factor
A lot of people ask if being married makes it harder to compete. For Madi and Evan, it seems to be their "secret sauce." They got engaged in Thailand back in 2022 and tied the knot in June 2024. The wedding was in Hawaii—a tribute to Madi’s heritage.
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Evan has been pretty vocal lately about how their relationship has become the "main focus" over the skating itself. It’s a healthy way to look at a career that’s essentially a high-pressure cooker. When you’re married to your partner, the chemistry on the ice isn’t fake. You can’t manufacture the way they look at each other during a slow transition.
Madi also has a huge role behind the scenes. She isn’t just a skater; she’s an incredible costume designer. She designs almost all of their outfits, and her work is famous for being some of the most intricate and "high-fashion" in the sport. That creative control is part of why their programs feel so cohesive.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Success
There’s a misconception that because they’ve been around so long, their wins are just "incumbent" wins. Like the judges give them high scores because of their names.
That’s honestly insulting to the work they put in.
They train at the Ice Academy of Montreal (I.A.M.), which is basically the Harvard of ice dance. They are surrounded by the best teams in the world every single day. If they weren't innovating, they would have been passed by years ago. Instead, they’ve stayed ahead by taking risks. Remember the "Alien and Astronaut" program from a few years back? Nobody else would have tried that.
They aren't just "staying" at the top. They are reinventing what the top looks like.
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The Road to Milan 2026
The goal now is clear: individual Olympic gold. It’s the one thing missing from their trophy case. They have the team gold, the world titles, and the national records. But that individual podium in Milan is the big one.
They’re going into the 2026 Games as the heavy favorites. However, the competition is stiff. They’ll be facing off against teams like Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who have been chasing them for years.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Skaters
If you’re following the journey of Madison Chock and Evan Bates, there are a few things to keep in mind as we head into the Olympic cycle:
- Watch the technical marks: While their artistry is what gets the headlines, pay attention to their "one-foot turns" and "twizzles." Their technical precision is what actually keeps them ahead of the younger teams.
- Look for the storytelling: Their 2026 "Paint It Black" program is designed to be cinematic. Watch how they use their eyes and hands to communicate with the audience, not just the judges.
- Appreciate the longevity: This is likely their final season. If you get a chance to see them on the "Stars on Ice" tour later this year, take it. We won't see a partnership like this for a long time.
They’ve proven that you don't have to be a teenager to dominate figure skating. You just have to be willing to evolve, stay creative, and—most importantly—actually enjoy the person you’re skating with. Whether they win gold in Italy or not, they’ve already rewritten the history books.
To follow their progress, keep an eye on the official ISU results for the upcoming Winter Games. The ice dance rhythm dance is scheduled to begin in early February 2026, marking the start of what will likely be the final chapter of their competitive career.