Your quick-hit travel guide to the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final in Chongqing.
📌 This guide is continuosly updated. Ticket sales, pricing, and the final qualifier list all roll out on their own timelines as the Grand Prix series progresses — we'll keep updating this page as new details drop, so check back before you book.
Last updated: November 10, 2026
The 2026 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final is heading to Chongqing, China from December 10–13, 2026, hosted at the brand-new Huaxi LIVE·Yudong Arena (华熙LIVE·鱼洞文体中心). It's the season-ending showdown between the top six skaters (and pairs / ice dance teams) from both the Senior and Junior Grand Prix circuits — expect a stacked, high-stakes weekend on the ice.
⛸️ Tickets — How to Buy (English Speakers, Start Here)
🎟️ UPDATE (Nov 10): Tickets go on sale November 11, 2026 on the Xiudong (秀动) app. (Note: no other sales channels have opened yet — Damai, Maoyan, etc. are not currently listing this event.)
👉 Ticket purchase link: wap.showstart.com (event page)
👉 Confirmed entry list (ISU official): ISU Grand Prix Final 2026 — Entries
🥇 Best Strategy: Ask a Mainland Chinese Friend
Find a Mainland Chinese friend who also wants to attend and have them buy for you — sometimes two tickets together even get a small discount. This skips every pain point below: Chinese phone number, SMS verification, Chinese-only UI, and real-name registration.
Why it works: Chinese platforms let one account register multiple Spectators (观演人) — the real-name IDs tied to each ticket. Your friend uses their own account, adds you as a Spectator with your passport, and the ticket is issued in your name.
🧑💻 Buy It Yourself
- Download the Xiudong (秀动) app and register with a Chinese mobile number. (Overseas numbers often fail SMS verification; travel eSIMs with Chinese numbers are one workaround.)
- Add a Spectator (添加观演人) in the app — register the real-name ID (passport) for every person attending before sales go live.
- Open the event page directly via the Xiudong event link and complete checkout in the app.
⚠️ Must Read Notes
- Check multiple platforms. "Sold out" on one doesn't mean sold out everywhere — if Damai or Maoyan opens later, cross-check them too.
- Be punctual if you want a guaranteed ticket. Sales going live at 12:00 can show "sold out" by 12:10. Have your account logged in and Spectator pre-registered. — BUT:
- "Sold out" rarely means actually sold out. It's normal the ticketing agents release tickets in waves and only a portion drops in round one. To the audience's experience, both the Beijing Grand Prix Final and Chongqing Cup of China still had tickets available one day before competition. Check back one week before the competition, and 2–3 days before the competition again.
🚕 Getting to the Venue: Huaxi LIVE·Yudong Arena
The arena is located at East Pingjiang Road, Banan District, Chongqing (重庆市巴南区平江东路华熙LIVE·鱼洞文体中心) — in the southern part of the city, but very easy to reach thanks to a direct metro connection.
Option 1: Metro (Easiest & Cheapest)
The venue is a short walk from Yudong Station (鱼洞站), which is the southern terminus of both Line 2 and Line 3 of Chongqing Rail Transit.
- From Jiangbei International Airport (江北机场): Take Line 3 southbound directly to Yudong Station — no transfers needed. Ride time is roughly 1.5 hours end-to-end, fare ≈ 7–8 CNY.
- From downtown / Jiefangbei area (解放碑): Take Line 2 southbound to Yudong Station (terminus).
- From Chongqing North Railway Station (重庆北站): Line 3 southbound direct to Yudong.
Metro fares in Chongqing start at 2 CNY and cap out around 10 CNY for the longest rides. Alipay and WeChat Pay both work at the gates — no need to fumble with a physical card.
Option 2: Taxi / Ride-hailing
Chongqing taxis are cheap and plentiful.
- Starting fare: 10 CNY (≈ 1.40 USD)
- Per additional km: ≈ 2.5 CNY
- Ride-hailing app (DiDi / 滴滴): Search 华熙LIVE·鱼洞文体中心 as the destination
- From downtown (Jiefangbei): roughly 40–60 CNY depending on traffic, 30–45 min
- From Jiangbei Airport: roughly 100–130 CNY, 45–60 min
Leaving the venue: Expect a taxi queue after sessions let out — the metro is often the faster call for peak-hour departures.
🧥 Inside the Arena: What to Expect
- Dress warm. Ice arenas run cold, and Chongqing's December weather outside is already chilly and damp. A thick sweater or a proper winter jacket is a must — you'll want it once you're seated.
- Food & drink: Concession stands inside the arena sell snacks, fast food, and drinks. Outside food is not permitted — don't try to smuggle in your hotpot leftovers.
🏆 What to Watch For
The Grand Prix Final gathers the top six qualifiers from the Grand Prix series across every discipline — Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Pairs, and Ice Dance — plus the Junior Grand Prix Final running alongside it. That means four days of nothing but elite skating, no filler.
The full qualifier list won't be locked in until the last Grand Prix event wraps up in late November 2026. We'll update this section with the confirmed start lists and matchups to watch as the series progresses — check back closer to the event. (Live entry list on the ISU official page.)
Quick Tips for Overseas Fans
- Cashless is king — set up Alipay (支付宝) or WeChat Pay (微信支付) before you fly in; foreign credit card payment on the ground is not guaranteed.
- Metro over taxi for post-session departures — Yudong is a terminus station, so you'll always get a seat heading back into town.
- Download Amap app — it works better than Google Map in China.
- Arrive at least 30 min early on weekends — security lines build up fast.