Exciting Updates for the 2025 CrossFit Games Season: Structure, Sanctionals, and New Competitions Revealed

Changes to the 2025 CrossFit Games Season Structure

The 2025 CrossFit Games season is set to bring some significant changes, as detailed by Dave Castro during a recent Affiliate Town Hall meeting. While many rumors circulating in the community have proven accurate, others have turned out to be unfounded. One key takeaway from the announcement is the new three-stage structure for the season.

Season Structure Overview

The competition for teams, age group, and adaptive athletes will follow this straightforward structure: the Open, In-Affiliate Semifinals, and then the Games. Individual athletes can also qualify through traditional in-person Sanctionals, which offer an alternative route to the Games.

CrossFit Open Details

The 2025 CrossFit Open will run from February 27 to March 17, consisting of three weeks of competition:

  • 25.1: February 27 – March 3
  • 25.2: March 6 – 10
  • 25.3: March 13 – 17

Registration for the Open will begin on January 15. Following the Open, the top 1% of individual athletes will move on to the “In-Affiliate Semifinals,” which will be held online over a weekend. Notably, registration fees from the Open will directly contribute to the prize purse of the 2025 CrossFit Games, creating a unique incentive for participation. Castro hinted that increased involvement in the Open could lead to a higher prize purse.

In-Affiliate Semifinals Schedule

The In-Affiliate Semifinals will also cover a range of divisions and take place over a weekend:

  • Age-Group In-Affiliate Semifinals: April 3-6
  • Team In-Affiliate Semifinals: April 24-27
  • Individual In-Affiliate Semifinals: May 1-4
  • Adaptive Semifinals: May 8-11

Those excelling in the individual category will have the chance to qualify directly for the 2025 CrossFit Games, with the top 15-20 athletes earning their spots. Additionally, only one team from a given CrossFit affiliate can progress to the Games, a significant shift from previous years.

Judging Standards and Video Review

To enhance the integrity of the competition, CrossFit will implement stricter judging standards at the In-Affiliate Semifinals. All participants in the individual and age group divisions must ensure that their videos are publicly accessible. In-person judges are required to possess a current L1 certification and complete both the 2025 Judges Course and a new Advanced Judges Course. Additionally, the public videos will be available for review by individuals who have completed the Judges Course.

Sanctionals Overview

For those individuals who do not qualify through the In-Affiliate Semifinals, Sanctional competitions will take place from April through June. These events will have their own unique programming and will independently function but still play a vital role in determining who advances to the Games.

Typically, Sanctionals will qualify two athletes (one male and one female) for the CrossFit Games, but this may vary depending on the specific event’s scale and location. Athletes are encouraged to compete in multiple Sanctionals to increase their chances of qualification.

Upcoming CrossFit Games

The 2025 CrossFit Games remain scheduled for August, with the exact location still to be announced. The individual competition will feature a reduced field of 30 athletes, and the qualification system will adapt based on the number of Sanctionals held during the season.

Age group and adaptive divisions will follow a similar structure as the previous year, managed by entities like Legends, Pit Teen, and WheelWOD.

Community Cup in June

This year will also see the introduction of a Community Cup in June, open to all athletes who registered for the Open. Over a weekend, competitors will participate in this segment, categorized by ability level, promoting inclusivity and friendly competition.

New Pairs Competition

Additionally, a new Pairs Competition is set to debut in October. This event allows individual and masters athletes who participated in the Open to partner with others globally, using their Open scores to qualify for an in-person competition hosted by the Masters Fitness Championship.