The 2025 CrossFit Games Season: Key Changes, Competitions, and What to Expect
The 2025 CrossFit Games season brings major changes to improve fairness, accessibility, and competition quality. This year, the qualification process follows a streamlined three-stage format: Open, Semifinals, and Games. With new events like the Community Cup and expanded recognition of partner competitions, athletes have more opportunities than ever.
Top competitors, including Roman Khrennikov, Haley Adams, and Emma Lawson, will participate in high-stakes qualifiers like the Mayhem Classic. Additionally, stricter judging protocols and virtual Semifinals aim to ensure fairness throughout the competition.
A Simplified Qualification Process
For 2025, CrossFit has simplified qualification into three key stages: the Open, Semifinals, and Games. This structure applies to all divisions, including Individual, Team, Age Group, and Adaptive athletes.
The Open runs from February 27 to March 17 and consists of three weekly workouts. These workouts are announced every Thursday, and athletes must submit their scores by Monday at 5 p.m. PT. Top athletes advance based on division-specific cutoffs. Individuals in the top 1% move on to Semifinals, while the best-performing teams, age group athletes, and adaptive competitors qualify through set thresholds.
Semifinals, held between April and May, include both virtual and in-person events. The Mayhem Classic, taking place on April 5–6, will serve as an elite invitational, with the top two men and women earning spots at the Games. Other major events, such as the French Throwdown and Far East Throwdown, will also grant qualification slots.
The CrossFit Games, the pinnacle event, will be held from August 1–3 in Fort Worth, Texas. Here, 30 men, 30 women, 20 teams, and age-group champions will compete for the top titles in the sport.
The 2025 CrossFit Open and Stricter Judging Standards
The Open kicks off the season with Workout 25.1, revealed live at CrossFit Mayhem on February 27. While exact details remain unknown, past trends suggest the workout will feature high-intensity movements like thrusters and chest-to-bar pull-ups. Athletes such as Haley Adams and Austin Hatfield demonstrated the workout shortly after its announcement, providing early insights into the challenge.
To improve fairness, CrossFit has implemented stricter judging standards for 2025. Video submissions are now mandatory for virtual Semifinals, and random audits will be conducted to maintain accuracy. These measures aim to eliminate inconsistencies and ensure all athletes are judged by the same standards.
Expanding In-Person Competition Opportunities
The Mayhem Classic, scheduled for April 5–6 in Cookeville, will be one of the most competitive in-person qualifying events. Featuring 40 elite athletes selected via the Rogue Points System, this event will determine two Games qualifiers for each gender.
Among the top contenders, Roman Khrennikov, Dallin Pepper, and Travis Mayer lead the men's division, while Emma Lawson, Brooke Wells, and Haley Adams are expected to dominate the women’s side. Winning here provides a direct path to the Games, making it a crucial event for those looking to skip the virtual Semifinals.
Other major in-person qualifying events include the French Throwdown (May 9–11) and the Far East Throwdown (May 30–June 1). These competitions offer additional routes to the Games, giving athletes options beyond the online qualifiers.
The Community Cup: A New Team-Based Event
A new addition to the season, the Community Cup, will take place from June 9–15. This online competition allows CrossFit affiliates to form teams and complete workouts together, emphasizing teamwork and strategy. Designed to foster camaraderie within the community, the event aligns with CrossFit’s grassroots philosophy and encourages participation from athletes of all levels.
Adaptive and Age-Group Divisions Get More Recognition
The Adaptive division follows a consistent structure, progressing from the Adaptive Open to WheelWOD-organized Semifinals from May 8–11. Athletes compete in categories based on specific impairments, including upper and lower extremity limitations, vision impairments, and neuromuscular conditions.
Masters and Teens also see adjustments, with a clearer qualification process. Age-group athletes must place in the top 2% of their division to advance to Semifinals. The Masters CrossFit Games and Teenage CrossFit Games will take place in late August, ensuring these divisions maintain their prestige within the sport.
Key Athletes to Watch in 2025
Several athletes stand out as top contenders this season. Roman Khrennikov, who finished fourth in 2024, is pushing for a podium finish, determined to showcase his exceptional endurance and strength. Emma Lawson, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, continues to develop her skill set and looks to further cement her position among the elite. Haley Adams, a consistent Games qualifier, has refined her endurance strategies and is expected to be a major force in the competition.
Another name to watch is Gui Malheiros, a powerhouse athlete known for his explosive Olympic lifts and impressive barbell strength. The Brazilian athlete has demonstrated incredible potential in past competitions, excelling in workouts that test both raw power and agility. With his strength in movements like the barbell row, barbell curls, and barbell bench press, Malheiros is poised to be a strong contender in 2025.
In the team division, powerhouse gyms like CrossFit Mayhem and CrossFit Oslo are expected to dominate. With deep rosters and strong backgrounds in gymnastics and weightlifting, these teams have consistently performed at the highest level. Their ability to blend teamwork with individual excellence makes them formidable opponents as they strive for top placements this season.
Increased Transparency in Competition
Virtual Semifinals will now require all athletes to submit video evidence of their workouts. Live leaderboards and random audits will add another layer of accountability, addressing past concerns over judging discrepancies.
Sponsorships and media coverage have also expanded. Rogue Fitness sponsors Open Workout 25.1, while the U.S. Border Patrol supports 25.2. Fans can follow the action through CrossFit’s YouTube channel, ESPN+, and CBS Sports, ensuring widespread visibility for the sport.
Strength Training and Equipment in CrossFit
CrossFit training incorporates weightlifting movements such as the barbell row, barbell curls, and Olympic lifts, which are essential for improving muscular strength. Athletes also frequently use weightlifting equipment like barbell collars, pull-up bars, and weightlifting straps to enhance performance and safety during workouts. Knowing how much a barbell weighs is crucial for scaling workouts appropriately.
Many CrossFit athletes also focus on building endurance through zone 2 cardio and HIIT cardio, both of which complement high-intensity functional movements. Female CrossFit athletes continue to gain recognition, with events like the CrossFit Games showcasing their strength and endurance.
Conclusion: A Season of Growth and Competition
The 2025 CrossFit Games season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. The three-stage qualification system, expanded in-person events, and new Community Cup make the sport more inclusive and competitive. Stricter judging ensures fairness, and athletes now have more pathways to qualify for the Games.
With elite competitors, evolving formats, and a commitment to fairness, 2025 promises to be a defining year for CrossFit. Whether you're an athlete or a fan, this season is set to deliver thrilling battles, unexpected breakthroughs, and unforgettable moments.