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A bright, airy wide shot of an ice rink during a practice session, with skaters in dark training wear gliding across pristine white ice under soft arena lighting. The stands are mostly empty, and the atmosphere is calm and focused.

Practice Sessions

Practice sessions for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating® Final were open to the public with a valid ticket. Fans had the opportunity to watch the world's best Junior and Senior skaters prepare on the ice at the Palavela across four days, from 4 to 7 December 2019.

All practice sessions took place at the Palavela arena in Turin.

Practice Schedule

Day Date Time Venue
Day 1 4 December 2019 8:45 – 16:35 Palavela
Day 2 5 December 2019 7:00 – 14:00 Palavela
Day 3 6 December 2019 7:00 – 14:05 Palavela
Day 4 7 December 2019 7:00 – 12:05 Palavela

Programme subject to change.

Attending Practice Sessions

Practice sessions offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at how elite figure skaters warm up and refine their programmes before competition. A valid ticket was required for entry to all practice sessions. Tickets also granted access to the competition events held from 5 to 8 December 2019.

For the full competition schedule, visit the Schedule page. Details about the Palavela and how to reach it are available on the Venue page.

Practice sessions offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the preparation of the world's finest figure skaters. For spectators holding a valid ticket, the Palavela became a working stage where Junior and Senior competitors fine-tuned their programs, tested jumps, and rehearsed choreography under the watchful eyes of their coaches. Watching these sessions revealed the discipline and intensity behind every performance, as skaters moved through their elements with focus and precision, often repeating difficult combinations until they felt right. It was a unique opportunity to appreciate the craft that ultimately culminated in the official competition days.

The atmosphere during practice was noticeably different from the high-voltage energy of the actual events. Here, there were no scores, no judges, and no pressure of a live ranking — only athletes, coaches, and music filling the rink. Fans could observe how skaters paced themselves, how they communicated with their teams through gestures and quiet words at the boards, and how they approached the ice with a mixture of seriousness and routine. These quieter moments offered a more intimate connection to the sport, reminding everyone that elite performance is built on countless hours of patient, repetitive work.

The practice schedule spanned four full days at the Palavela, beginning the day before the competition officially opened and continuing each morning through the final day of the event. With sessions running from early morning until mid-afternoon, both Junior and Senior categories shared the ice across the programme. The venue's layout allowed spectators to move between rinkside views and higher seating, giving fans flexibility in how closely they wished to observe the skaters. Organisers kept the schedule subject to adjustment, acknowledging that training needs could shift depending on skater preferences and ice conditions.

For those attending, practice days added significant value to the overall Torino 2019 experience. Beyond the glamour of the competitive events, these sessions grounded the spectacle in the reality of athletic dedication. Young fans, in particular, gained insight into what it truly takes to reach international level — the constant refining, the quiet concentration, and the collaborative effort between skater and coach. It also served as a warm-up for the audience itself, building anticipation ahead of the Grand Prix Final while deepening appreciation for the artistry and athleticism that would soon be showcased in full.