Here’s Everything We Know About What the 2020 CrossFit Games Will Look Like

Following the cancellation and postponement of many global sporting events due to the pandemic, the future of the 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games looked uncertain. First, the competition was moved from Wisconsin to California, and it was revealed that spectators would not be permitted to attend. Then CrossFit said that only the top 20 men and women from the Open would be invited, in order to minimize risk of spreading coronavirus.

However, on Friday August 7, CrossFit announced that the Games will be going ahead with the top 30 men and women, and this year’s quest to determine the Fittest on Earth will continue—albeit with a considerably different format from previous years.

The Games will now consist of two separate stages: an online competition that athletes can attend remotely from anywhere in the world, followed by an in-person event in the United States for those who make it far enough.

“The 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games are a go!” CrossFit’s recently appointed CEO Eric Roza said in an official statement. “At CrossFit, we are always energized by a challenge, and hosting a worldwide sporting event in the age of COVID is no exception. We are excited to be able to deliver the CrossFit Games to our athletes, fans, and CrossFit gym members in 158 countries through a two-stage format that combines a worldwide online competition with a small in-person finals in Northern California. This innovative format will help us protect the safety of our athletes while delivering a world-class Games experience to identify the world’s fittest individuals.”

Under the new rules, the 30 men and 30 women who were invited to the Games will compete remotely, either in their own homes or local gyms. This first stage of the competition will determine the rankings and prize money for the athletes who place from number 30 to number 6. Then, the top 5 athletes remaining will travel to the in-person competition in California.

“The world is dealing with an unprecedented crisis,” said CrossFit’s Director of Sport, Dave Castro. “After extensive discussions with athletes and public health officials, we decided that this format was the best way to preserve the spirit and substance of the Games and ensure athletes can compete for the title of Fittest on Earth in a safe and fair manner.”

The dates for the competition were officially announced on August 12. The first phase, which will be held remotely with competitors participating in events at their home gyms in 16 countries, will begin on Friday, September 18 and last for two to three days, according to a release from CrossFit HQ. The second phase, an in-person contest in Northern California between only the top five placers from the first round, will take place from October 19 through October 25.

The exact roster of competitors, along with streaming and broadcast information for the Games, has yet to be announced.