Kansas City and Independence will host the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January 2017.
The Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City will host the senior and junior championships, and the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence will host the novice, intermediate and juvenile level events.
Kansas City Mayor Sly James says Kansas City area is a good fit for figure skating.
“Kansas City as you all know is a tremendous sports city,” Kansas City Mayor Sly James said. “We have the best sports fans in the world in my personal opinion.”
Independence Mayor Eileen Weir says it will highlight her city as well as the entire area.
“We do shine brightest when our entire region rallies around a single cause, and this event will give us a great cause to rally around and celebrate,” says Weir.
Perhaps no one was happier about the announcement than John Coughlin, a figure skater from Kansas City, who made the official announcement
“As a young skater, a U.S. Championship means you’ve made it. It means you’ve fought through the qualifying rounds and proved that you belong with America’s best,” he says.
Coughlin would know. He won the U.S. Championships in pairs skating in 2011 with Caitlin Yankowskas and in 2012 with Caydee Denney.
More than 100,000 people are expected to watch the figure skating events at the two arenas and some 1,700 athletes, coaches, officials, and media personnel are expected to come to town.
Visit KC estimates an $18 million economic impact on the area.
Kansas City last hosted the figure skating championships in 1985.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Jan. 19, 2016.
