Detroit hosting 2013 Skate America at Joe Louis Arena

First event of 2013 ISU Grand Prix Series to be broadcast Sunday on NBC

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Eighteen U.S. athletes will compete at 2013 Hilton HHonors Skate America, the first event of the 2013 International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, Oct. 18-20, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

NBC says it will air live coverage of the ladies free skate and highlights of the men's free skate from the previous day on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.

RELATED: Elite figure skaters are training in Detroit

Tickets are still available by visiting 2013skateamerica.com or the Joe Louis Arena box office.

Event organizers said all four reigning U.S champions are set to compete in Detroit, including Meryl Davis and Charlie White, the 2010 Olympic ice dancing silver medalists and reigning World champions who look for their fourth straight Skate America title.

Davis and White are Detroit-area natives and students at the University of Michigan.

MORE: Tara Lipinksi back in Detroit

The international field boasts Olympic and World medalists. Japan's Mao Asada is the 2010 Olympic silver medalist and a two-time World champion, while her countrymate Daisuke Takahashi is the 2010 Olympic bronze medalist and reigning Grand Prix Final champion. Organizers said Russia's Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov enjoyed an undefeated season last year that included Skate America, Grand Prix Final, European and World titles.

WATCH: Olympian talks about her time training in Detroit

To learn more about 2013 Skate America and to see who is competing, click here. There, you can also find a complete event schedule.

Full Screen
1 / 20

Skate America gets underway Friday night at Joe Louis Arena with some of the best international skaters competing in what is considered the kickoff event for the Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia.

More Detroit headlines: