International Skating Union Signed Media Deal
The sports governing body has partnered with Two Circles to manage global media rights through the 2029/30 season.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Ice Skating
Live Poll
Do you believe centralizing media production helps local sporting events attract more fans?
The International Skating Union (ISU) has entered into a four-year media partnership with Two Circles to oversee broadcast production and sales. This agreement centralizes the organization's media operations for Figure, Speed, Short Track, and Synchronized Skating.
Why it matters
The collaboration is a cornerstone of the ISU Vision 2030 strategy, designed to grow global audiences and enhance the commercial value of its assets. By centralizing rights and distribution, the union aims to unlock new opportunities in markets beyond its current established fan base.
The partnership spans four seasons, beginning in 2026/27 and concluding with the 2029/30 season. This agreement covers a comprehensive portfolio of disciplines, including Figure, Speed, Short Track, and Synchronized Skating.
The players
International Skating Union
The International Skating Union is the exclusive international sport federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee for various ice skating disciplines.
Two Circles
Two Circles is a data-driven sports agency that specializes in helping rights holders grow their businesses through fan engagement and commercial strategies.
The details
Two Circles will manage global media rights and provide live broadcast production services for ISU events from its operations in Bern. This selection follows a formal, centralized RFP tender process conducted by the federation to streamline its commercial and distribution strategy.
Timeline
The partnership agreement officially begins with the 2026/27 season.
The agreement is scheduled to conclude after the 2029/30 season.
Season Trajectory
The partnership follows the mandate established by the ISU Vision 2030 strategy to modernize and expand skating's global reach. This shift signals a long-term transition toward a more integrated commercial model that links broadcast production directly to rights distribution.
Fans should expect changes to how and where international ice skating events are broadcast as rights shift to the new model. The partnership will likely result in a more unified viewing experience across all four major skating disciplines by 2026.
The takeaway
This deal represents a significant consolidation of the sport's commercial footprint under a single agency. International fans should look for future announcements regarding new streaming or broadcast access points as the 2026/27 season approaches.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional competition, visit our Ice Skating section.
Live Poll
Do you believe centralizing media production helps local sporting events attract more fans?
