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NEWS & NOTESISI World Recreational Team Championships Heads Back to NSC Super Rink!
Set for July 24-27, this year’s Worlds heads back to the magnificent, state-of-the-art National Sports Center (NSC) Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., where our 2021 Worlds event took place amidst a sea of exhilaration (following COVID-19 cancellations and closures).
Test and entry deadline is May 15.
What’s so Special about Worlds?
Worlds is our grandest national event of the year — we’re talking the emperor of events! It’s both fun and competitive for skaters of all ages — from tots to senior adults — and abilities!
Skaters flock to Worlds from all parts of the United States and several foreign countries each year to compete in 25 event categories for individuals, partners, groups and teams.
The more points a skater accumulates for their team the greater chance they all have of earning medals and capturing first place! The team with the most collective points goes home with the Michael Booker Trophy, named for the British figure skating champion, former ISI president and famed coach.
What are the Highlights of Worlds?
Everyone flips out over Worlds activities! This year’s Competitors’ Party takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 25 at the Bowlero in Blaine, where participants can enjoy bowling, laser tag, arcade games, pizza and unlimited soft drinks. Adults not interested in participating in the activities can attend free of charge and enjoy the full-service restaurant and bar while their skaters have fun! Purchase online tickets by midnight July 13.
This year, the annual ISI Benefit Show will feature 2025 World champion and U.S. silver medalist Alysa Liu, the first U.S. women’s World figure skating champion since 2006! The show, always a much-anticipated event, takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at Fogerty Arena in Blaine.
Skaters and their families will have the incredible opportunity to watch Alysa perform live and meet her during an autograph session following the show, which will also feature skaters (selected at Worlds) and winners of the ISIA Education Foundation’s “Skate with the Stars” raffle.
Pre-sale tickets, available for purchase online through midnight (CT) July 13, are as as follows:
General Admission (Show Only): $30 each. (If not sold out, tickets will be available for $35 each at Worlds.)
Group Sales (Show Only): $25 each (10 or more tickets; only available for pre-sale; one individual responsible for purchasing and distributing tickets)
VIP (Show and Autograph Session): $70 each.
Another favorite Worlds activity is trading pins with skaters! It’s a great icebreaker! Many skating teams, clubs and schools design special pins to trade at Worlds. We can’t wait to see all the creative pins this year!
Is the NSC Super Rink Really that Super?
The NSC Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., is more than super — it’s super duper! With eight sheets of ice under one roof (four Olympic size and four NHL size), it’s considered one of the largest ice arena complexes in the world and is home to the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team!
The 300,000 square-foot facility attracts nearly 2 million visitors each year. It also features a dance and fitness studio for figure skaters, a massive hockey training facility and weightlifting center, 32 locker rooms and the Hat Trick Café, located in the heated upper concourse, overlooking four of the ice sheets.
The Super Rink is part of the National Sports Center (NSC), one of the biggest amateur sports facilities in the world, which also includes 50 athletic fields, a stadium, welcome center, sports expo center, golf course, velodrome (cycling track), sports hall and residence hall.
Lake Harriet bike path, Minneapolis
Bde Maka Ska Lake, Minneapolis (Bde Maka Ska translates to “White Earth Lake” in the Dakota (Sioux Native American tribe) language.)
Where is Blaine?
Blaine is located close to downtown Minneapolis, which is not only the largest city in Minnesota but also a hot spot for outdoor adventure, sporting events, museums, theaters, art galleries, retail shops, restaurants and fun attractions.
Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn. / Photo by Paul Vincent
The Mall of America in nearby Bloomington is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the United States and a top tourist spot. It has about 500 stores, 60 restaurants, a 13-screen movie theater and, best of all, a massive indoor theme park (Nickelodeon Universe)! It also features the state’s largest aquarium (SEA LIFE), LEGO Imagination Center, an escape room, mirror maze, adventure course, 5D virtual reality attraction, miniature golf, bowling and more. New and exciting entertainment options are always being added.
More Info
Photos courtesy of NSC Super Rink and Explore Minnesota.
Established in 1959, the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) — creator of America’s first learn-to-skate curriculum — is an international trade association encompassing all aspects of the ice sports industry. Our goal is to promote ice skating as a participant sport and recreational activity for everyone — all ages and abilities. Learn more about the ISI Ice Skating Program.
