As the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 officially began with a spectacular Opening Ceremony, the International Skating Union (ISU) marked the start of the Games with a milestone of its own, celebrating the official opening of its landmark Home of Skating in Milan.

Labubu surrounded by ISU President Jae Youl Kim and ISU Director General Colin Smith (on the left), Olympic Champion Brian Boitano and some of the legends skaters invited to the ISU Home of Skating Opening event.  © ISU

The Home of Skating is a vibrant hub where sport, creativity and community spirit come together at the heart on the sidelines of the Games. After passing through an immersive, exhibition-style tunnel highlighting the ISU’s vision, core values and innovations shaping the future of skating, invited guests were warmly welcomed at the Home of Skating by ISU President Jae Youl Kim and ISU Director General Colin Smith.

Former Figure Skater Shizuka Arakawa (JPN) attending the ISU Home of Skating Opening event.  © ISU

Competing skaters - including Ice Dance duo Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR), Figure Skaters Aleksandr Selevko (EST) and Donovan Carrillo (MEX) - joined retired champions such as twice Olympic Gold winning Ice Dancer Scott Moir (CAN) and Olympic Gold Medal-winning Figure Skater Shizuka Arakawa (JPN), alongside ISU officials, partners, members of the media and key stakeholders from across the skating community.

Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR) arriving at the ISU Home of Skating Opening event.  © ISU

Donovan Carrillo (MEX) signing on the Olympians' Wall at the ISU Home of Skating Opening event.  © ISU

Hosted by legendary Olympic Champion Brian Boitano (USA), the event opened with a speech by the ISU President and featured a special guest appearance by global pop-culture sensation LABUBU. Marking LABUBU’s first European appearance and the brand’s 10th anniversary, the moment celebrated joy, creative energy, and artistic expression - values shared by skating across all disciplines.

Legend Figure Skater Brian Boitano, who hosted the ISU Home of Skating Opening event, accompanied by Labubu on stage.  © ISU

The ceremony also included a symbolic exchange of gifts, with ISU President Jae Youl Kim presenting LABUBU with a special medal, while receiving a collector’s item commemorating the collaboration in return.

ISU President Jae Youl Kim presenting Labubu with a special first Olympic medal at the ISU Home of Skating Opening event.  © ISU

ISU President Jae Youl Kim said: “It’s SHOWTIME on the opening weekend of the Olympic Winter Games, and opening the doors of the ISU Home of Skating for the first time marks a landmark moment for our sport. This Home reflects our Vision 2030 journey - a place where the world comes together to celebrate our athletes and tell their stories, not only here in Milan, but through our platforms to our 330 million skating fans around the world.”

Insights into the ISU Home of Skating. © ISU

Throughout Milano Cortina 2026, the Home of Skating will serve as a dedicated gathering place for the ISU community, while exclusive content from the venue will be shared with fans around the world through the ISU’s digital platforms.