The CrossFit Games have been the pinnacle of functional fitness competition for nearly two decades, and with each passing year, the sport continues to evolve (or not, depending on how you assess the situation). For 2025, the CrossFit Games season introduces significant changes aimed at broadening access, simplifying pathways to the Games. For example, there won’t be Quarterfinals any longer. Here’s an in-depth look at the revamped season, including what used to be and what will now define the sport.
Quick Summary
Now, if you don’t have much time to read the entire article, here are the main points of what you should understand.
But if you want to get the full spectrum of things, click here to see the official announcement from CrossFit HQ.
What Used to Be and What Is Now
Season Structure
- Before: The CrossFit Games season was a four-stage journey for most divisions, starting with the Open, followed by the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Games. Each stage narrowed the field, often leading to confusion about qualification criteria and progression paths.
- Now: The 2025 season streamlines this process into three stages: Open → Semifinals → Games. By removing the Quarterfinals, CrossFit aims to simplify the structure and ensure clarity and consistency across all divisions.
Opportunities for Individual Athletes
- Before: Individual athletes advanced from the Open to Quarterfinals, where the top performers moved on to region-based Semifinals. The allocation of Games spots was often dependent on geographical location, with criticism over uneven representation.
- Now: The top 1% of individual athletes in the Open progress directly to the Semifinals. This stage now includes virtual in-affiliate Semifinals as well as official in-person qualifying events hosted globally. CrossFit recognises multiple premier competitions worldwide, offering athletes a diverse range of events to secure their Games spots. Thirty men and thirty women will ultimately qualify for the Games, ensuring the best athletes take the stage.
Also worth noting, an athlete may participate in an in-person qualifying event and a virtual in-affiliate Semifinal. Which means, any athlete hoping to get to the Games in 2025 will have the option to compete in multiple in-person qualifying events to get their #GamesBound ticket.
Note: There will be a reduction of the number of CrossFit Games athletes competing in 2025. From 40 men and 40 women, it will decrease to 30 mend and 30 women competing for the title of Fittest on Earth. Teams competing will also decrease from 30 to 20.
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Affiliate Teams
- Before: Team competition allowed for multiple teams per affiliate, with rigid rules around team composition and performance tracking.
- Now: While the Open still serves as the starting point for teams, every affiliate can now enter as many teams as desired. In the Semifinals, all athletes from an affiliate compete, but only the top 20 affiliates worldwide advance to the Games. An affiliate can qualify only one team per gym, fostering fair representation while encouraging broad participation.
Age Groups and Adaptive Athletes
- Before: Age-group and adaptive athletes followed a similar four-stage progression as individuals, with limited pathways to specific Games categories.
- Now: For age groups, the top 2% of Open finishers or a minimum of 200 athletes per division advance to the in-affiliate Semifinals. Successful competitors move to specialised Games events, such as the Masters CrossFit Games by Legends and the Teenage CrossFit Games by Pit Teen Throwdown. Adaptive athletes compete in the Adaptive Open hosted by WheelWOD, with the top 20 advancing to Semifinals and the top 10 heading to the Adaptive CrossFit Games by WheelWOD.
Important Dates for 2025
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
2025 Teenage CrossFit Games by Pit Teen Throwdown: TBD
2025 Adaptive CrossFit Games by WheelWOD: TBD
Pairs Competition by Masters Fitness Championships: October
Key Additions for 2025
The Community Cup
The Community Cup is a fresh initiative designed to make the competitive season more inclusive. Any athlete completing the Open and submitting scores for all workouts can participate. This competition focuses on local engagement, allowing athletes to compete within their affiliate against peers of similar skill levels. More details on hosting this event will be shared soon.
The Pairs Competition
Another exciting addition is the introduction of the Pairs Competition. Open participants can pair with another athlete, regardless of location, to compete in this unique format. The top-performing pairs, based on Open scores, will qualify for an in-person event hosted by the Masters Fitness Championship.
Expanded Safety Measures
After addressing challenges in previous seasons, including controversies surrounding athlete welfare, CrossFit has implemented a series of safety upgrades:
- Mental Health Support: Mental health professionals will now be part of the on-site medical teams during events.
- Controlled Environments: Open-water swimming events have been replaced with safer, controlled settings.
- Enhanced Protocols: Improved communication, pre-event rehearsals, and emergency resources ensure athlete safety and event efficiency.
- Athlete Council: This new body gives athletes a direct voice in shaping competition standards and safety measures.
Conclusion
While embracing these new initiatives, CrossFit maintains its core commitment to fostering a competitive and inclusive environment. The foundational structure of the Open remains, serving as the entry point for all athletes. The emphasis on community engagement and the pursuit of fitness excellence continues to be at the heart of the CrossFit Games season.
As the 2025 season approaches, athletes and affiliates are encouraged to stay informed about these developments and prepare for a dynamic and inclusive competition year. Further details, including specific dates, events, and the 2025 Rulebook, will be released in January.
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image sources
- 2022 CrossFit Adaptive athlete policy released: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
- Pair Up Throwdown CrossFit: Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
