On February 7th, the International Skating Union (ISU) will open its first-ever Home of Skating in style at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Adding a playful and creative twist to this landmark occasion, global sensation LABUBU - the iconic collectible character created by Pop Mart - will skate into Europe for the very first time to take part in the opening event. 

LABUBU skating to Milan to celebrate the ISU's Home of Skating opening. © Pop Mart

The ISU will officially inaugurate its first Home of Skating during a private event, where LABUBU will join ISU President Jae Youl Kim, ISU Director General Colin Smith and invited guests. The opening coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the LABUBU brand, which will be celebrated through a series of dedicated appearances and activations during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

ISU President Jae Youl Kim said: “The Home of Skating will showcase our sports’ artistic spirit and expression through immersive experiences and we thought: who better embodies those values than the free-spirited and individual LABUBU, who we admire! This collaboration will bring a fresh, creative energy to the Home of Skating, giving LABUBU a powerful setting that blends visual impact with emotional resonance and helps us to tell stronger skating stories together.”

Throughout the Games, the ISU Home of Skating will welcome athletes, guests, partners, broadcasters and key stakeholders, offering a unique space to connect and highlight the many facets of skating - from athletic excellence and precision to creative expression. These qualities align seamlessly with the spirit of LABUBU, a brand that has become a global cultural phenomenon through its originality and emotional storytelling.

Although the Home of Skating will not be open to the public, exclusive content generated from the venue will be shared with fans around the world through the ISU’s owned and operated digital media channels. 

With LABUBU’s European debut, the ISU Home of Skating promises to be a vibrant meeting point where sport, joy and creativity come together at the heart of the Olympic Winter Games.