Chart: A fan's guide to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships

What: Nine days of competition to determine national champions in five divisions began last Saturday and continues through Sunday, with junior and senior competition highlighting this week's schedule.

Where: Xcel Energy Center

The schedule: The novice division ends Tuesday with the free dance (9:15 a.m.). Junior competition begins with the women's short program (3:25 p.m.), the men's short program (5:05 p.m.) and the pairs short program (8:40 p.m.).

Wednesday: Free skates for junior pairs (1:20 p.m.), men (7 p.m.) and women (9 p.m.), plus the junior short dance (11:20 a.m.).

Thursday: Senior competition opens with the short programs for pairs (2:45 p.m.) and women (8 p.m.).

Friday: Short programs for senior-level ice dance (2:30 p.m.) and men (7:30 p.m.), plus the junior free dance (9 a.m.).

Saturday: The first senior champions are crowned, with the free skates in pairs (1:30 p.m.), ice dance (3:25 p.m.) and women's (6 p.m.).

Sunday: Competition concludes with the men's free skate (1 p.m.), followed by the Smucker's Skating Spectacular, an exhibition featuring several of the week's top performers (7 p.m.).

Tickets and TV: Single-session tickets for competition at Xcel range from $12.50 to $127.50, and all-event ticket packages are $355-$955. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at 2016uschampionships.com. NBC (Ch. 11) will have live coverage of the senior competition on Saturday (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.).

2015 champions: Ashley Wagner (ladies singles), Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim (pair skating) and Madison Chock and Evan Bates (ice dancing) are back to defend their 2015 titles. Last year's men's singles champion, Jason Brown, withdrew from this year's competition with a back injury.

For more information: A full schedule and detailed ticket prices can be found at 2016uschampionships.com. For results and news, go to icenetwork.com.

RACHEL BLOUNT