Kalamazoo has been selected by U.S. Figure Skating to host the 2025 Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, a high-profile event that will draw skaters and spectators to the city.
The competition, which will be held at Wings Event Center from January 27 to February 2, 2025, is a showcase of beauty and elegance on ice. Teams from throughout the Midwest will be competing in a variety of divisions, ranging from 13 and younger (juvenile) to 25 and older (masters).
The Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association (GKSA) is hosting the event for the third time in recent years. It previously served as a host of the Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Sectional Championships in 2013, 2019, and 2022, as well as the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in 2016.
“Our club is honored to have once again been selected to host this premiere synchronized skating event for the Midwest,” said Susan E. Reed, president of the Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association.
“We will have the opportunity to showcase the greater Kalamazoo area to skaters, coaches, officials and families from all over the country. This type of event not only supports our local club, but it also provides additional revenue for businesses in the community.”
U.S. Figure Skating holds three sectional championships for synchronized skating each year –Eastern, Midwestern and Pacific Coast. These competitions are the final qualifiers for the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. In recent years, the Midwestern Sectional Championships have hosted more than 130 teams and approximately 2,500 athletes, coaches, team managers and fans per competition.
The event is expected to generate around $2.79 million in visitor spending for the Kalamazoo area, including Wings Event Center and the hotel market. This comes after the 2022 competition, which saw a total economic impact of $3,542,492 on the region.
“We are honored that U.S. Figure Skating has once again selected Kalamazoo and Wings Event Center as the site of one of its most prestigious championships,” said Brian Persky, director of business development at Discover Kalamazoo.
“The Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association has a long-time proven track record of delivering top-tier events and experiences for skating clubs, event officials and spectators alike, and we look forward to supporting them in the preparations and hosting of this event in 2025.”
