Evan Bates

Evan Bates is an American ice dancer who, alongside his wife and partner Madison Chock, has dominated the sport in the 2020s. Together, they have won three consecutive World Championships from 2023 to 2025, three straight Grand Prix Final titles, and an Olympic gold medal in the team event in 2022. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Bates added another team gold and an individual silver medal, and he served as the U.S. flag bearer at the closing ceremony. A seven-time U.S. national champion, Bates has also earned multiple Four Continents and Grand Prix medals. He and Chock are known for pushing artistic and technical boundaries, captivating fans with innovative programs.[edit]

Evan Bates grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he started skating at a young age. He trained at the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club and showed early promise in ice dancing. His first major success came with partner Emily Samuelson, whom he skated with from their junior years. Together, they won the 2008 World Junior Championships, a breakthrough that put them on the international map. In 2009, they earned a bronze medal at the Four Continents Championships and a silver medal at the U.S. Nationals. These results earned them a spot at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where they finished 11th. After the Olympics, Bates and Samuelson parted ways, and in 2011, Bates began a new partnership with Madison Chock. The transition was a pivotal moment, setting the stage for a legendary career.[edit]

Bates and Chock quickly rose through the ranks. They won their first U.S. national title in 2015 and represented the U.S. at the 2014 and 2018 Olympics. The 2019 season marked a turning point: they won the Four Continents Championship and followed with a second national title in 2020. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, they captured gold in the team event, a career highlight. The 2023 season saw them claim their first World Championship, a feat they repeated in 2024 and 2025. They also won the Grand Prix Final three years running, from 2023 to 2026. At the 2026 Milan Olympics, Bates and Chock won team gold and individual silver, cementing their status as one of the greatest ice dance teams in history. Bates served as the U.S. flag bearer at the closing ceremony.[edit]

Bates is widely regarded as a gracious and dedicated athlete. He and Chock are celebrated for their chemistry on the ice and their ability to tell stories through movement. Fans admire their longevity and the way they have continually evolved their style, blending classical technique with modern flair. Bates's social media presence is professional yet approachable, giving fans glimpses into training and personal life. The duo's fandom, often called the "Chock-Bates Army," is known for its enthusiastic support at competitions.[edit]

Evan Bates's fanbase is a passionate, global community that rallies around the duo known simply as ChockBates. While they lack a formal name like some pop fandoms, their support is unmistakable, filling arenas, driving social media engagement, and creating a buzz that follows the pair from the Grand Prix circuit to the Olympic stage. Their Instagram alone boasts 187K followers, a space where fans get a behind-the-scenes look at training, travel, and their beloved dog Kira. The community's most visible moments come during major competitions, like the 2026 Winter Olympics, where their performances sparked widespread discussion and a fervent defense of the duo amid a judging controversy. This is a fanbase that shows up, not through organized campaigns, but through sheer enthusiasm and loyalty.

Yet, despite this devoted following, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Evan Bates and found that he currently does not hold a placement in the published rankings. He is not among the Global Top 1,000 nor any Top-100 scope list. This is a notable absence for an athlete of his caliber, but his fame remains undeniable to those who follow the sport.[edit]

Bates and Chock are known for their innovative programs, often incorporating unique lifts and intricate footwork. They have a signature lift called the "Chock Bates lift" that has become a fan favorite. Bates is an avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings and enjoys playing golf in his spare time. He and Chock have a pet dog named Kira, who frequently appears on their social media. Bates has a degree in general studies from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, which he earned while training and competing.

In 2026, Bates made history as the first U.S. figure skater to compete at five Olympic Games, a reflection of his extraordinary longevity. That same year, he and Chock won a silver medal in ice dance, a result that sparked a judging controversy that fans still talk about, a French judge's score came under fire, but the duo publicly stated they "wouldn't change anything." Their post-Olympic life has been equally eventful, with appearances on tours like "Sun Valley on Ice" and a Portland stop, as they navigate a new chapter that Bates describes as "exciting, scary and all of the above."[edit]

Evan Bates married his ice dancing partner Madison Chock in June 2023. The couple had been skating together since 2011 and announced their engagement in December 2022. They have no children. Bates's parents have supported his skating career from the beginning, though they stay out of the public eye. He has a sister named Lauren. The couple resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they train at the Colorado Springs World Arena.[edit]

Evan Bates is best known for his long-term partnership with Madison Chock, both on and off the ice. The couple married in 2023 and have achieved unparalleled success together. Bates also previously skated with Emily Samuelson, with whom he won the World Junior Championship and competed at the 2010 Olympics.[edit]

Evan Bates dated his first skating partner, Emily Samuelson, from around 2007 until their partnership ended in 2011. The two shared a close bond during their junior and early senior years. After teaming up with Madison Chock in 2011, Bates and Chock developed a deep professional and personal connection. They announced their engagement in December 2022 and married in June 2023. As of 2026, Bates and Chock remain happily married and continue to compete together at the highest level.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Evan Bates's net worth at $5 million. His primary income sources include competition prize money, endorsement deals, and exhibition skating fees. Bates and Chock have sponsorship agreements with brands like Ralph Lauren and have appeared in skating tours. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, his earnings have grown significantly with their world championship wins and Olympic medals. Bates also earns from coaching and speaking engagements.[edit]

Evan Bates has won numerous major titles, including three World Championships (2023, 2024, 2025), two Olympic team gold medals (2022, 2026), an Olympic individual silver (2026), three Four Continents gold medals (2019, 2020, 2023), and seven U.S. national championships. He also won the World Junior Championship in 2008 and has three Grand Prix Final titles.[edit]