Short-track speed skating returns to Vancouver for the first time since 2010 | Daily Hive

The world’s fastest short-track speed skaters are coming to Vancouver for the first time since 2010

Vancouver, get ready to feel the need for speed!

The ISU Short Track World Tour is coming to the Pacific Coliseum this Oct. 24 and 25, bringing Olympic champions, international stars, and thrilling high-speed action to the ice.

This is the event’s Vancouver debut, marking the first time international short-track speed skating has returned to the city since the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. For locals who remember the excitement of the Games, it’s a chance to relive a little of that Olympic magic and embrace the nostalgia.

If you’ve never watched short track speed skating in person, this is the perfect opportunity to see what the buzz is about.

Speed skating 101

International Skating Union

Short-track speed skating is fast, fierce, and full of surprises!

Skaters can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h as they race shoulder to shoulder, jostling for position and looking for the perfect moment to overtake their rivals. One second, a skater could be leading the pack; the next, the entire race has changed.

Think of it like motorsport on ice, with nail-biting tension throughout and absolutely no guarantee of what happens next. Blink and you might miss it!

There’s plenty at stake, too. Every result at the ISU Short Track World Tour contributes to the season-long battle for the Crystal Globe, giving fans even more reason to keep an eye on the action.

Star-studded lineup

International Skating Union

Part of the excitement is seeing some of the world’s best athletes go head-to-head in person. Some of the sport’s biggest names will be competing, including top Canadian athletes like four-time Olympic medalist Courtney Sarault, and six-time world champion Steven Dubois.

International athletes include Pietro Sighel from Italy, Choi Min-jeong (who is widely regarded as the best female Korean short track speed skater of all time). and Dutch skaters Jens van’t Wout and Xandra Velzeboer.

Velzeboer is fresh off a stellar performance at Milano Cortina 2026, where she won two gold medals and broke the world record for the fastest 500 m, making her one to watch on the ice in Vancouver.

The best part is you don’t need to know all about the race format or even understand all of the rules to enjoy it. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lifelong skating fan or just looking for something different to do this weekend, it’s an fun way to get caught up in the excitement of international sport.

Tickets start at $45. Daily Hive readers can use the promo code STWT-DAILYHIVE at checkout to get a discounted ticket offer.

Get ready for edge-of-your-seat moments as you watch some of the best speed skaters in the world go head-to-head right here in Vancouver! Head over the the website to learn more or purchase tickets now.