Every winter, a chill descends—but speed skating fans know the real heat is about to hit the ice in Heerenveen. As December arrives, the legendary Thialf arena in the Netherlands comes alive, drawing the global spotlight for the 2025-26 ISU Speed Skating World Cup. This isn't just any stop on the tour: Thialf has been the proving ground for Dutch speed skating legends for generations, and this year, stakes are sky-high as skaters chase Olympic dreams.
What Sets the Heerenveen World Cup Apart?
Most speed skating events follow familiar routines—until you get to Heerenveen. This leg shakes things up: Unlike the twin opening rounds in Salt Lake City and Calgary, fans can expect only one 500m race per gender and a bold reshuffling of distances across the weekend. The men face a rare feat: tackling the 10,000m, seldom seen on the World Cup circuit, while women take on their first 5000m of the season. Throw in the fiercely-contested team sprints and the crowd-thrilling mass start, and it’s easy to see why Dutch fans in signature orange pack Thialf to the rafters.
And here's the controversial angle most people don’t realize: Heerenveen isn’t just about bragging rights. With the Norwegian leg next up (and Olympic qualification at stake), every lap in Heerenveen could make or break an athlete’s Milano Cortina 2026 hopes. So—are we watching legends in the making or favorites under pressure?
Stars Who Could Make Headlines (and Headlines)
- Jordan Stolz (USA): Seven world titles. Blazing times in Salt Lake and Calgary. Unstoppable at 1500m—so far. But the competition is hungry.
- Finn Sonnekalb (Germany): At just 18, he’s already toppling records and almost dethroned Stolz in Calgary. Expect fireworks as this rising star pushes established champions.
- Jenning de Boo (Netherlands): Home favorite and reigning 500m world champ. He’s smashed time barriers at Thialf—can anyone match his confidence on Dutch ice?
- Casey Dawson (USA): His late-finish fireworks in Calgary shook up the distance rankings. Will he surprise again?
- Other big names to watch: Sander Eitrem (Norway), Ted-Jan Bloemen (Canada)—both poised for long-distance glory.
- For the women, Femke Kok remains nearly unbeatable at 500m, but all eyes are on if she can keep her edge after a record-breaking season. Jutta Leerdam is back and healthy after a recent accident, ramping up a friendly rivalry many fans didn’t see coming. Erin Jackson (USA), reigning Olympic champ, is closing gaps, while new names like Chen Ying Chu (Chinese Taipei) are proving anyone can shake up the podium. Veteran racers like Takagi Miho and Brittany Bowe still bring the fight, but Dutch ace Joy Beune’s dominance at longer distances threatens to steal the weekend. Could this be a changing of the guard—or just another chapter in classic speed skating rivalries?
Full Event Schedule—Mark Your Calendar!
Friday, 5 December:
- 14:15–17:54: B division events
- 18:55–21:42 (A division, doors open 17:25):
- 18:55: Women’s 5000m
- 20:06: Men’s 1500m
- 20:57: Women’s 1000m
Saturday, 6 December:
- 08:45–13:17: B division
- 14:15–17:57 (A division, doors open 12:45):
- 14:15: Men’s 10,000m
- 16:21: Women’s 1500m
- 17:12: Men’s 1000m
Sunday, 7 December:
- 11:10–13:11: B division
- 14:15–17:16 (A division, doors open 12:45):
- 14:15: Women’s 500m
- 14:43: Men’s 500m
- 15:30: Women’s Mass Start
- 15:51: Men’s Mass Start
- 16:23: Women’s Team Sprint
- 16:43: Men’s Team Sprint
(Schedule subject to potential changes—last-minute updates always possible!)
Watching the Action—Don’t Miss Out!
Want to catch every edge-of-your-seat moment live? The ISU streams all the action on their official YouTube channel, though some regions may have viewing restrictions. For country-specific broadcasters and additional details, check the official ISU viewing guide online.
So here’s the question: Will hometown heroes dominate, or are we about to witness a new generation rewrite the record books? Who do you think will upset the favorites—or do you believe experience always prevails? Drop your hottest takes and boldest predictions below—let’s get the speed skating debate rolling!
