U.S. Figure Skating is thrilled to announce a heartwarming partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop, the beloved St. Louis–based brand known for "adding a little more heart to life." For the first time ever, Build-A-Bear will serve as the Official Plush and Tossie of the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, bringing an iconic tradition to life in an unforgettable way.
This partnership celebrates the cherished custom of fans showering the ice with plush friends in honor of breathtaking performances. And what better way to mark this moment than with a hometown hero? The Championships will take place January 4–11, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri — Build-A-Bear's home base — making this collaboration even more special.
As part of the celebration, Build-A-Bear will be on-site at the Championships with a delightful selection of furry friends available for fans to purchase. These exclusive bears offer a fun and memorable way to cheer on athletes — and, in true figure skating tradition, be tossed onto the ice to mark the moment.
"Partnering with an iconic brand like Build-A-Bear to represent one of the most beloved traditions in skating makes perfect sense," U.S. Figure Skating Chief Commercial Officer Annie White said. "We're thrilled for this new partnership and to share this experience in St. Louis with a company that has such deep roots in the city and community."
Giving Back Through Skating
Build-A-Bear will also serve as presenting sponsor for three Learn to Skate USA® Scholarships, offered at two St. Louis-based SkateFests — community-centered events designed to make figure skating accessible and inclusive for all.
"It's an exciting moment for us to serve as the first-ever Official Plush and Tossie of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships — and having it happen here in St. Louis makes it even more meaningful," said Chris Hurt, chief operating officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "For 27 years, our furry friends have been part of unforgettable moments, but seeing them glide onto the ice alongside these incredible athletes is something truly special. We're proud to share this experience with our hometown and fans from across the country."
The U.S. Championships will crown national champions in women's, men's, pairs, and ice dance disciplines and serve as the final qualifier for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Join the Celebration!
For event and ticket information, visit
http://SkateStLouis2026.com.
For more about Build-A-Bear Workshop, visit
http://www.buildabear.com.
-About Build-A-Bear-
Since its beginning in 1997, Build-A-Bear has evolved to become a beloved multi-generational brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life," where guests of all ages make their own "furry friends" in celebration and commemoration of life moments. Guests create their own stuffed animals by participating in the stuffing, dressing, accessorizing, and naming of their own teddy bears and other plush toys based on the Company's own intellectual property and in conjunction with a variety of best-in-class licenses. The hands-on and interactive nature of our more than 600 company-owned, partner-operated and franchise experience locations around the world, combined with Build-A-Bear's pop-culture appeal, often fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection with consumers and has enabled the Company to expand beyond its retail stores to include e-commerce sales on www.buildabear.com and non-plush branded consumer categories via outbound licensing agreements with leading manufacturers, as well as the creation of engaging content via Build-A-Bear Entertainment (a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.). The brand's newest communications campaign, "The Stuff You Love," commemorates more than a quarter-century of creating cherished memories worldwide. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) posted consolidated total revenues of $496.0 million for fiscal 2024. For more information, visit the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.
