From September and ahead of the HYROX Elite 15 Major race in Hamburg, a HYROX Athlete License is required for entry into Single and now Double Elite 15 (E15) races, supporting continued investment in high-performance standards, athlete safeguards, and the integrity of global competition.
HYROX, the World Series of Fitness Racing, has today announced the expansion of its Athlete License program for Elite competitors. Holders of an Athlete License will sign agreements, binding themselves to the HYROX Anti-Doping Code and a general code of conduct for elite athletes. Holders of the license will receive enhanced administrative support and access to priority first wave slots for qualifying races starting in the 2025/ 26 season, along with enhanced anti-doping education, administrative support, and communications with the Elite Sport team.
Anti-Doping & Code Of Conduct:
During the 2025/ 26 season, anti-doping testing will be expanded with significant additional investment into the program; this will now include all E15 Doubles races as well as the existing E15 Singles races at Majors, Regional Championships, and World Championships. Athletes will also sign up to a general code of conduct, which gives guidance on specific behaviours and expectations for elite athletes as representatives and role models in the sport.
Elite Pathways & Long-Term Development of the Sport:
HYROX is laying the foundation for a world-class sporting ecosystem – one designed to meet the standards of top-tier competitions such as the Olympic Games. From cutting-edge technology to rigorous administrative processes, HYROX is building an elite sport environment that reflects the demands of the highest level of competition and supports aspiring athletes to succeed in this environment.
With a growing cohort of professional athletes and aspiring competitors in the E15 ecosystem, this new licensing process sets the foundation to develop robust, defined pathways to elite competition and builds on the development work within the Elite Working Group. The expanded license program allows HYROX to efficiently track and administer this growing population of athletes and provide a framework for these athletes to engage with the Elite Sport Team.
Implementation:
Alongside the existing E15 Singles, the Athlete Licenses will be implemented into the E15 Doubles races from the first Major in the 2025/26 season in Hamburg in October this year.
Therefore, an Athlete license will now be mandatory for all E15 competitors at Majors, Regional, and World Championships.
Athletes seeking to qualify for the E15 competition season will have the option to apply for a license and engage with the Elite Sport team throughout the season; minimum performance requirements will apply.
Commenting on the license, current Women’s World Champion, Linda Meier, said:
“Licensing is a clear benefit because it goes beyond competition. It demonstrates transparency, reinforces compliance with clean sport, and ensures we’re setting the right example for others.”
Current Men’s World Champion, Tim Wenisch, echoes this sentiment, adding:
“Licensing is essential in a competitive sport like HYROX. It ensures every athlete competes under the same rules, creating a level playing field for all.”
Mat Lock, Technical Director at HYROX.
We asked Mat Lock a few questions about the elite licensing.
Q: Do you see elite licensing as a step toward professionalising HYROX, and what responsibilities will it place on athletes beyond competing?
A: Absolutely. Licensing is about more than just competition – it’s about athletes recognising their role in protecting the integrity of the sport. With a license comes the responsibility to comply with anti-doping standards and to uphold the values of professionalism that define HYROX at the highest level.
Q: Will licensing open the door to more structured earnings, sponsorship opportunities, or revenue sharing for HYROX elites?
A: Introducing the athlete licenses a few years ago was a foundational step in professionalisation. It created a clear, regulated framework, that continues to help build the trust and credibility that sponsors and partners look for, ultimately creating more opportunity for athletes as the sport grows.
Q: Do you think licensing will raise the performance bar across the board, or could it make the elite field harder to break into?
A: It’s always been designed to protect fairness, not create barriers. The best athletes will always rise to the top, but licensing ensures that when they do, their achievements are recognised as legitimate, clean, and earned on a level playing field.
Q: As an athlete, would you see licensing as a benefit, a burden, or a mix of both?
A: It’s a benefit. Career athletes want assurance that they’re competing under fair, professional standards. While it does add responsibility, the payoff is knowing the results are authentic – and that’s something every athlete should value.
How to Apply:
E15 athletes and those intending to qualify for an E15 race can apply for a license via the online application page at elite.hyrox.com
The athlete license is valid for one season.
To benefit from wave 1 prioritisation, an athlete must meet the below performance criteria with a completed Pro time in the past 12 months of:
Singles Men: 57:04 Doubles Men: 51.48
Singles Women: 1:03:21 Doubles Women: 59.45
