The British Ice Skating Federation has announced that starting from the 2026–27 season, same-sex duos will be allowed to compete in national ice dance events — making the UK the third country to introduce the rule after Canada and Finland.
The updated regulations were published on the federation’s official website.
However, such pairs will still be barred from international competitions under the International Skating Union (ISU), which continues to require that all ice dance and pairs teams consist of one man and one woman.
Canada was the first to approve same-sex duos in 2022, with Finland following this season. Canadian three-time Olympic champion Scott Moir has previously voiced support for the change, noting a shortage of male partners in the sport.
Russian three-time Olympic champion and State Duma deputy Irina Rodnina commented earlier this year that same-sex pairs could «easily diversify official competitions,» comparing them to same-gender group performances in ballet, acrobatics, and circus arts.
