What Is the CrossFit Open? A Simple Guide for 2026
Every year the CrossFit Open kicks off the season. It is a global fitness event where hundreds of thousands of everyday athletes do the same workouts as the best in the world. Same movements. Same standards. Same leaderboard.
It runs for three weeks from 24th Feb to 20th March. One workout per week. Scores get submitted online. Then the leaderboard updates in real time which is where the fun really starts.
Ask any CrossFitter and they will tell you. The Open isn’t just a competition. It is a community moment. Boxes get loud. People get judged. Personal bests happen. And for three weeks you push a little harder than usual.
How the Open Works
1. New Workout Every Thursday
CrossFit HQ releases the workout each week which you can watch live.
2. Hit It Fri to Mon
Most boxes run Friday Night Lights. Think heats, judges and a lot of shouting.
3. Submit Your Score
Scores are uploaded and verified online.
4. Leaderboard Time
Compare yourself to the world, to your country, to your box or even just to your mates.
From here, the top athletes head into Quarterfinals. For many, the Open is the season finale. For the elite, it is just the warm up.
RX, Scaled or Foundations
The Open has options.
RX if you want full standards.
Scaled if you need adjustments.
Foundations if you are new or building confidence.
The point is to take part. Not everyone needs to be chasing a Games ticket.
Why Do It?
Different athletes sign up for different reasons.
Progress
It is the best benchmark of the year. Did you move up the leaderboard? Did you finally get toes to bar? Did you RX a week for the first time?
Accountability
For three weeks you have a focus. It sharpens training and removes excuses.
Community
The Open brings out the best in boxes. The atmosphere is unreal. You will see beginners push harder than they thought they could and you will see top athletes step up under pressure.
Our own VOLT Athletes do the Open too. Last year we had Tom Kingdon make it deep into the season, Connor Voltz in the US proving his level, Lewin Tubuna taking on his final teen year and Elyn Marwick climbing the UK leaderboard. The Open gives everyone a reason to step forward regardless of level or location.
Do You Need To Be Fit To Do The Open?
No. You just need to show up. The beauty of the Open is that it meets you where you are. Beginners get foundations or scaled. Experienced athletes chase RX or Quarterfinals. And everyone gets better.
How To Enter
Sign up via games.crossfit.com or the CrossFit Games app. Your coach or affiliate will handle the logistics. You just turn up and put in effort.
Final Thoughts
At VOLT we love the Open because it represents what makes CrossFit special. Shared suffering. Meritocracy. Community. Accountability. And a reason to take training seriously for a few weeks.
If it is your first time. Sign up. If you are returning. Push to beat last year. And if you are chasing a season. We will be watching.
Inspired? Then you are already halfway there.