Changes to the CrossFit Games Season Structure
The CrossFit Games season has been a hallmark of the functional fitness community for nearly two decades, continuously adapting to meet the evolving demands of athletes and fans alike. As we look forward to the 2025 season, game-changing adjustments have been made to streamline qualifications and enhance athlete accessibility.
Streamlined Season Pathway
Previously, the CrossFit Games season consisted of four stages: the Open, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Games. This structure often created confusion regarding qualification and progression.
In 2025, the process has been simplified to three distinct stages: Open → Semifinals → Games. Eliminating the Quarterfinals is designed to clarify the qualification process across all divisions, making it easier for athletes to understand their pathway to compete at the highest levels.
New Opportunities for Individual Athletes
In the past, individual athletes had to navigate from the Open to Quarterfinals before reaching region-based Semifinals. Many athletes expressed concern about unequal representation based on geographical limitations for Games qualifications.
Now, the top 1% of individual athletes in the Open will progress directly to Semifinals. This new stage will involve both virtual in-affiliate Semifinals and appropriate in-person qualifying events hosted worldwide. CrossFit acknowledges several premier competitions globally, providing athletes multiple opportunities to earn their passage to the Games. A total of thirty men and thirty women will secure their spots, ensuring that the most qualified athletes are showcased at the Games.
It’s important to note that athletes can participate in both an in-person qualifying event and a virtual in-affiliate Semifinal. This gives competitors a greater chance to secure their #GamesBound ticket. However, the overall number of athletes competing at the Games has been reduced; teams will now feature 20 competitors rather than the previous 30.
Affiliate Team Competition Changes
Previously, team competitions allowed multiple teams to represent each affiliate but included strict rules concerning team composition and performance metrics.
With the new season format, the Open still serves as the beginning for team entries. Affiliates can now enter as many teams as they wish. During Semifinals, all athletes from an affiliate will collaborate, but only the top 20 affiliates worldwide will qualify for the Games—limiting each affiliate to one team for fair representation while promoting wider participation.
Updated Structures for Age Groups and Adaptive Athletes
Age-group and adaptive athletes used to follow a similar, complex four-stage structure as individual athletes, with limited routes to Games participation.
Now, for age groups, the top 2% of Open finishers or at least 200 athletes per division will advance to the in-affiliate Semifinals, leading to specialized Games events such as the Masters CrossFit Games and the Teenage CrossFit Games. Adaptive athletes will compete in the Adaptive Open, hosted by WheelWOD, where the top 20 will move on to Semifinals, with the top 10 qualifying for the Adaptive CrossFit Games.
Key Dates for the 2025 Season
- Open Registration: Jan. 15, 2025
- CrossFit Open: Feb. 27 – March 17
- Open Workout 25.1: 12 p.m. PT Feb. 27 – 5 p.m. PT March 3
- Open Workout 25.2: 12 p.m. PT March 6 – 5 p.m. PT March 10
- Open Workout 25.3: 12 p.m. PT March 13 – 5 p.m. PT March 17
- Age-Group In-Affiliate Semifinals: April 3 – 6
- Team In-Affiliate Semifinals: April 24 – 27
- Adaptive Semifinals: May 8 – 11
- Individual In-Affiliate Semifinals: May 1 – 4
- Individual In-Person Qualifying Events: April – June
- Community Cup: June
- 2025 CrossFit Games: August 2025
- Masters CrossFit Games by Legends: TBD
- Teenage CrossFit Games by Pit Teen Throwdown: TBD
- Adaptive CrossFit Games by WheelWOD: TBD
- Pairs Competition by Masters Fitness Championships: October
New Features for Inclusion
The introduction of the Community Cup aims to enhance local engagement by allowing any athlete who completes the Open to participate. Competitors will have the chance to face off against peers of similar skill levels within their affiliate.
Additionally, the Pairs Competition allows Open participants to team up with another athlete, no matter the location, for friendly competition. High-performing pairs will earn a spot at an in-person event hosted by the Masters Fitness Championship.
Safety Protocol Enhancements
CrossFit is taking athlete safety to new heights by implementing a series of upgrades in response to past challenges. Key initiatives include:
- Mental Health Support: Inclusion of mental health professionals within event medical teams.
- Controlled Environments: Replacement of open-water swimming events with safer, controlled settings.
- Enhanced Protocols: Improved communication, pre-event rehearsals, and emergency resources to bolster athlete safety and event efficiency.
- Athlete Council: A new body formed to empower athletes in discussing competition standards and safety measures.
These initiatives uphold CrossFit’s commitment to fostering both a competitive and inclusive atmosphere. As the 2025 season approaches, athletes, affiliates, and fans are encouraged to stay informed and excited about the upcoming changes that promise to enrich the CrossFit experience.
