Starting with the 2026/2027 season, same-sex ice dance pairs will be allowed to compete in events organized by the British figure skating federation. The rule will apply to all events, including the national championships, the federation announced. The new policy reflects the organization’s commitment to making skating inclusive and accessible to everyone, the federation said.
However, same-sex teams will not be able to compete beyond the national level, as the rules of the International Skating Union (ISU) require that pair and dance teams consist of one man and one woman.
In Canada, this has been possible since 2023
Great Britain is not the first country to allow same-sex pairs to participate in competitions. In Canada, same-sex couples have been able to compete in both pairs and ice dance at national events since 2023. In Finland, this has been possible since the current season as well: Emma Aalto and Millie Colling became the country’s first same-sex ice dance pair.
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The Olympic champions in ice dance, Madison Hubbell from the United States and Gabriella Papadakis from France, have also appeared together in show performances to help pave the way for official participation of same-sex pairs. Papadakis is bisexual, while Hubbell—who is heterosexual—has spoken in interviews in favor of better inclusion of queer athletes.
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Scott Moir, Canada’s three-time world champion in ice dance, also expressed support for including same-sex dance pairs. He argued that allowing such entries would give skaters more opportunities, especially given the sport’s frequent lack of male partners. Moir came out as gay in 2018 after retiring from competition.
