The TD Garden is about to get loud. Like, really loud.
When the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships land in Boston this March, we aren't just looking at another standard ISU event. This is the big one. It’s the final major gathering before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, and frankly, the stakes are kind of terrifying for the athletes involved. If you haven't been following the circuit lately, you've missed a massive shift in how the sport is being judged and performed.
It’s not just about the glitter. It's about math.
The Ilia Malinin Factor at the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships
Let's talk about the "God of Quad." Ilia Malinin is basically playing a different sport than everyone else right now. Last year, he set a world record score in the free skate by landing six quadruple jumps, including that mind-bending quadruple Axel. Heading into the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships, the big question isn't just if he'll win, but if anyone can even get within twenty points of him.
He’s human, though. Sometimes.
The pressure of a home crowd in Boston is a double-edged sword. You've got thousands of fans screaming for you, but you also have the weight of being the heavy favorite on American soil. Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and Kao Miura aren't exactly going to hand him the gold medal. Kagiyama, specifically, has been working with Carolina Kostner to fix his artistry, making him a massive threat if Malinin slips up on a landing.
Honestly, the Men's event is Malinin's to lose. If he lands the 4A, it’s basically game over. But figure skating is weird—one caught edge or a shaky short program can change everything in seconds.
Can the U.S. Women Reclaim the Podium?
It has been a rough few years for the American women on the global stage. Since Alysa Liu's bronze in 2022, the podium has been dominated by Japan and Belgium. But the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships might be the turning point.
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Amber Glenn is the wild card here. When she’s "on," she’s one of the few women in the world with a triple Axel in her pocket. The problem? Consistency. It’s been her Achilles' heel for years. Then you have Isabeau Levito, whose skating is like watching a music box come to life. She doesn't have the triple Axel, so she has to be perfect. Absolutely flawless.
Kaori Sakamoto is the mountain they all have to climb.
Sakamoto is looking for a historic fourth consecutive world title. That’s legendary status. Her skating isn't about "tricks" as much as it is about raw power and speed. She covers more ice in two pushes than most skaters do in ten. To beat her in Boston, someone is going to have to produce the skate of their life.
The Chaos of Ice Dance and Pairs
Ice Dance is usually the most predictable discipline, but things are getting spicy. Madison Chock and Evan Bates are the veterans everyone looks up to, but the Montreal school (IAAM) is churning out talent so fast it’s hard to keep up.
The Italians, Guignard and Fabbri, are perennial bridesmaids who are desperate for a gold. And don't sleep on Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson. They bring a level of camp and energy that usually wins over the crowd, even if the technical specialists are stingy with the levels.
In Pairs, it’s a total dogfight.
With the Japanese pair Miura/Kihara back at full strength and the Germans Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps defying the laws of aging, the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships will likely see the highest technical scores we've seen in a decade. Deanna Stellato-Dudek is 41 years old. Think about that. She’s out there throwing herself into triple twists while competing against skaters half her age. It’s easily the most inspiring story in the sport right now.
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Why Boston Matters More Than Usual
Boston is a massive skating hub. The Skating Club of Boston is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the country. This means the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships won't just be attended by casual fans; the stands will be full of people who know exactly what a "level 4 change of edge" looks like.
The atmosphere at the TD Garden is famously intense.
Skaters often talk about the "wall of sound" in American arenas. For the U.S. team, it’s a massive advantage. For international skaters, it can be intimidating. The last time Worlds were in Boston (2016), we saw some of the most iconic performances in history, including Evgenia Medvedeva's rise to the top.
The Technical Shift: What to Watch For
If you're watching the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships on TV or in person, pay attention to the "GOE" (Grade of Execution).
The ISU has been tinkering with the rules again. They’re trying to balance the "jumping beans" against the "artists." This means a messy quadruple jump might actually score lower than a perfectly executed triple jump. It’s a controversial move. Some fans hate it. They think the sport should be about athletic progression. Others think the beauty is being lost in a sea of rotations.
- The Quadruple Axel: Only Malinin really does it, but watch for others attempting it in practice.
- The Backflip: Now legal! Expect to see Adam Siao Him Fa (France) toss one in. It won't get points, but it won't be penalized anymore either.
- Component Scores: This is the "artistry" mark. Watch how the judges treat skaters who have high technical content but low "skating skills."
What Most People Get Wrong About the World Rankings
People tend to look at the Grand Prix scores from earlier in the season and assume the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships will go the same way.
That’s a mistake.
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The "Worlds Bump" is real. Judges tend to be more generous with scores at the end of the season, especially for established stars. Also, the physical toll of a long season means that the favorites are often skating on tired legs. It's usually the skater who managed their peaking cycles best—not necessarily the one with the most talent—who walks away with the gold.
Real-World Logistics for Fans Heading to Boston
If you're actually going to the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships, you need a plan. Boston in March is... unpredictable. It could be 60 degrees; it could be a blizzard.
- Transport: Don't bother renting a car. Boston's "T" (the subway) is your best friend. The TD Garden is right above North Station.
- Practice Sessions: If you have the chance, buy tickets for the practice sessions. This is where you see the real drama. You’ll see who’s struggling with their Lutz and who’s looking confident.
- The "Kiss and Cry": In the arena, try to get seats that have a view of the Kiss and Cry area. Seeing the raw emotion when the scores come up is half the fun.
The Road to Milano-Cortina 2026
Everything that happens at the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships sets the narrative for the Olympics.
If Malinin wins by a landslide, the "unbeatable" narrative starts. If he loses, the "chink in the armor" stories begin. For the women, this event determines how many spots each country gets for the Olympics. If the U.S. women don't perform well, they might only be allowed to send two skaters to Italy instead of three. That is a huge deal for the domestic skating programs and funding.
The technical panel is going to be under a microscope. After the various judging scandals of the past, the ISU is desperate for a clean, undisputed result in Boston. Expect strict calls on under-rotations and edge violations.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
To get the most out of the 2025 Figure Skating World Championships, you should do more than just watch the final groups.
First, keep an eye on the World Standings vs. the Season Best scores. These often tell two different stories about who is actually in form. Second, follow the official ISU social media accounts for "Planned Program Content" sheets. These are released before the event and tell you exactly which jumps each skater intends to attempt. It turns the viewing experience into a game of "did they hit their goal?"
Finally, pay attention to the European skaters like Adam Siao Him Fa and Loena Hendrickx. While North American and Japanese skaters often dominate the conversation, the European style is currently pushing the boundaries of choreography and presentation in ways that the judges are starting to reward heavily.
Boston is ready. The ice is down. The 2025 Figure Skating World Championships are going to be a bloodbath—in the most beautiful way possible.