Winter Olympics: What is the figure skating exhibition gala? Who is performing to what music? Everything you need to know about a Games tradition
Published 21/02/2026 at 17:05 GMT
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Saturday in Milan will see the top skaters from the 2026 Winter Olympics take to the ice one final time for the figure skating exhibition gala. With no judges or medals on the line, it allows skaters to express their creativeness in a setting with few restrictions. The gala will include some of the biggest names from this year's games, including Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin.
Watch Liu's stunning gold-winning routine as USA end women's figure skating drought
Video credit: TNT Sports
Saturday in Milan will see one of the Winter Olympics’ unique traditions take place, the figure skating exhibition gala.
It is an event where the stars of the skating world take to the ice at Milano Ice Skating Arena with no judges' scores or medals on the line, just to express their creativity and passion for the craft.
The cast list is often comprised of the biggest names at the Winter Games, and that is no different at Milano Cortina 2026.
What is the figure skating exhibition gala?
In a highly charged, competitive environment like the Winter Olympics, the figure skating exhibition gala offers a breath of fresh air and a chance for athletes to express themselves.
No prizes are on the line and there are fewer restrictions in place, meaning participants are free to explore their creative limits.
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Watch: Liu reveals secret plan to deal with newfound fame after sensational gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sometimes skaters bring props with them onto the ice, and sometimes they even bring surprise partners with them.
The exhibition gala is performed at other major skating events across the calendar, with fans often treated to quite the spectacle.
Who is performing and to what music?
This year’s line-up of performers is a star-studded list from across the skating world.
The entire podiums of all three completed figure skating events will all be showcasing their talents, with women’s single gold medal winner Alysa Liu headlining the gala.
The Team USA star will perform last before the grand finale, taking to the ice to PinkPantheress’ ‘Stateside (with Zara Larsson)’.
Liu’s American team-mate, Ilia Malinin, will also be part of proceedings, taking to the ice for the first time since falling twice during the men's figure skating final to finish in a shock eighth position.
The ‘Quad God’ did win gold in the team event, and will perform to ‘FEAR’ by NF.
Special guest Carolina Kostner, Olympic bronze medalist in individual figure skating, will open the gala to ‘Moon Lake’ by Massimo Colombo and Emanuele Bardin. The official Olympics website says her performance will be "new, innovative artistic" and she will "share a meaningful story and inspire young athletes, and others, to pursue and cultivate their dreams."
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Malinin suffers Olympics HORROR - 'Can't believe what we've just seen'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Full list of participants
Women:
- Alysa Liu (USA)
- Sakamoto Kaori (Japan)
- Nakai Ami (Japan)
- Amber Glenn (USA)
- Adeliia Petrosian (Individual Neutral Athlete)
- Niina Petrokina (Estonia)
- Lee Haein (Korea)
Men:
- Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan)
- Kagiyama Yuma (Japan)
- Sato Shun (Japan)
- Cha Junhwan (Korea)
- Adam Siao Him Fa (France)
- Ilia Malinin (USA)
- Daniel Grassl (Italy)
Pairs:
- Miura Riku / Kihara Ryuichi (Japan)
- Anastasiia Metelkina / Luka Berulava (Georgia)
- Minerva Fabienne Hase / Nikita Volodin (Germany)
- Maria Pavlova / Alexei Sviatchenko (Hungary)
- Sara Conti / Niccolo Macii (Italy)
Ice dance:
- Guillaume Cizeron / Laurence Fournier Beaudry (France)
- Madison Chock / Evan Bates (USA)
- Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier (Canada)
- Charlene Guignard / Marco Fabbri (Italy)
- Allison Reed / Saulius Ambrulevicius (Lithuania)
- Olivia Smart / Tim Dieck (Spain)
Full set list
9:00:00-19:05:00: Carolina Kostner, music - Moon Lake by Massimo Colombo & Emanuele Bardin
19:05:00-19:05:30: ‘A dreamlike journey.’
19:05:30-19:09:05: Daniel Grassl, music - Sant'allegria (con Mahmood) by Ornella Vanoni & Mahmood, Far l'amore by Bob Sinclar & Raffaella Carra
19:09:05-19:14:25: Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck, music - Tubthumping by Chumbawamba, Beautiful Day by U2, Freed from Desire by Gala
19:14:25-19:18:49: Ami Nakai, music - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing by Tori Kelly
19:18:49-19:23:19: Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin, music - Fortitude by HAEVN
19:23:19-19:27:30: Shun Sato, music - Senbonzakura by Lindsey Stirling
19:27:30-19:31:40: Italian Olympic Figure Skating Team, music - Nessun Dorma (Turandot) performed by Luciano Pavarotti
19:31:40-19:32:10: ‘Everything is new. Everything glows.’
19:32:10-19:35:36: Amber Glenn, music - That's Life by Lady Gaga
19:35:36-19:40:19: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, music - Autumn Leaves by Eva Cassidy
19:40:19-19:44:29: Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko, music - Kiss (feat. Tom Jones) by Art of Noise, Sexbomb by Froro
19:44:29-19:49:19: Junhwan Cha, music - Not a Dream by Sohee Song
19:49:19-19:53:29: Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius, music - Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses
19:53:29-19:57:48: Adeliia Petrosian, music - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira, Hips Don't Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean) by Shakira
19:57:48-20:02:37: Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, music - Techno Syndrome (Mortal Kombat) by The Immortals, True by Spandau Ballet
20:02:37-20:17:30: Intermission
20:17:30-20:21:28: Team USA, music - We Will Rock You by Queen, Diva by Beyoncé, Feel This Moment by Pitbull, American Woman by Lenny Kravitz, Free Bird by Moonlight
20:21:28-20:21:58: ‘This is the challenge'
20:21:58-20:27:28: Niina Petrokina, music - Cell Block Tango (OST "Chicago)
20:27:28-20:34:15: Adam Siao Him Fa, music - Senses, Story Of A March Day by Cédric Tour
20:34:15-20:38:40: Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri, music - La Cura Per Me by Giorgia
20:38:40-20:43:55: Haein Lee, music - Your Idol, What It Sounds Like from KPop Demon Hunters
20:43:55-20:48:33: Yuma Kagiyama, music - Frostline by Hayato Sumino
20:48:33-20:53:50: Madison Chock and Evan Bates, music - Once I Was Loved by Melody Gardot
20:53:50-20:58:20: Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, music - Macarena by Los del Rio, Y.M.C.A. by The Hit Shop, Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex
20:58:20-21:02:47: Kaori Sakamoto, music - A Million Dreams by P!nk (from The Greatest Showman)
21:02:47-21:08:45: Ilia Malinin, music - FEAR by NF
21:08:45-21:09:15: ‘Becoming one’
21:09:15 21:13:55: Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, music - Metamorphosis, Mad Rush
21:13:55-21:19:15: Mikhail Shaidorov, music - Hero by Hans Zimmer & John Powell, Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas, Baby One More time (from Kung Fu Panda 4) by Tenacious D
21:19:15-21:23:27: Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, music - Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
21:23:27-21:27:12: Alysa Liu, music - Stateside (with Zara Larsson) by PinkPantheress
21:27:12-21:31:32: Finale, music - Viva la vida performed by David Garrett
When is the figure skating exhibition gala?
The gala will take place on Saturday, February 21, from 19:00 UK time.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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