The Grand Prix was organized by the International Skating Union. Skaters competed for prize money and a chance to compete in the Grand Prix Final. The corresponding series for Junior-level skaters was the 2008–09 ISU Junior Grand Prix.
Qualifying
Skaters who reached the age of 14 by July 1, 2008 were eligible to compete on the senior Grand Prix circuit. The top six skaters from the 2008 World Championships were seeded and were guaranteed two events. Skaters who placed 7th through 12th were also given two events, though they were not considered seeded.
Skaters/teams who medaled at the 2007–08 Junior Grand Prix Final or the 2008 World Junior Championships were guaranteed one event. Skaters who medaled at both the Junior Grand Prix Final and the World Junior Championships were guaranteed only one event.
The host country was allowed to send three skaters/teams of their choosing in each discipline.
The spots remaining were filled from the top 75 skaters/teams in the 2007–08 Season's Best list.
After the final event, the 2008 NHK Trophy, the six skaters/teams with the most points advanced to the Grand Prix Final. The qualification point system is as follows:
Placement
Points (Singles/Dance)
Points (Pairs)
1st Place
15 Points
15 Points
2nd Place
13 Points
13 Points
3rd Place
11 Points
11 Points
4th Place
9 Points
9 Points
5th Place
7 Points
7 Points
6th Place
5 Points
5 Points
7th Place
4 Points
8th Place
3 Points
There were seven tie-breakers in cases of a tie in overall points:
Highest placement at an event. If a skater placed 1st and 3rd, the tiebreaker is the 1st place, and that beats a skater who placed 2nd in both events.
Highest combined total scores in both events. If a skater earned 200 points at one event and 250 at a second, that skater would win in the second tie-break over a skater who earned 200 points at one event and 150 at another.
Participated in two events.
Highest combined scores in the free skating/free dancing portion of both events.
Highest individual score in the free skating/free dancing portion from one event.
Highest combined scores in the short program/original dance of both events.
Highest number of total participants at the events.
If a tie remained, it was considered unbreakable and the tied skaters all qualified for the Grand Prix Final.
Final points
Skaters in bold qualified for the Grand Prix Final.
The total prize money was $180,000 per event in the series and $272,000 for the Final. All amounts are in U.S. dollars. Pairs and dance teams split the money. The breakdown was as follows: