This year the CrossFit Games mark their 20th edition . Two decades searching for the most complete athlete on the planet. And 2026 celebrates it in a big way: from July 24 to 26, the SAP Center in San José, California , will host the most demanding competition in the fitness world and VELITES will be there with the athletes.
Whether you've been following the Games for a long time or have just discovered what it's all about, here is everything you need to know before the most intense week of the year in CrossFit begins.
What the CrossFit Games are and why they matter
The CrossFit Games are the annual competition that determines who is the fittest athlete in the world, the Fittest on Earth. No specialization is possible. The program is kept secret until competition time, workouts are revealed progressively during the three days of competition, and athletes must be prepared for anything: Olympic lifts, gymnastic movements, running, swimming, events with objects no one anticipates.
That's exactly what makes them different from any other fitness competition. It's not the strongest or the fastest who wins. The most complete athlete wins.
The first edition was held in 2007 on a ranch in Aromas, California, with a handful of athletes and prizes that today would seem modest. In 2026, 254,000 people registered just for the Open, the first qualification phase. The growth of the sport has few precedents.
Dates and venue: SAP Center, San José
- Dates: July 24, 25 and 26, 2026
- Venue: SAP Center, San José, California (USA)
- Edition: 20th edition, anniversary
- Categories: 30 men · 30 women · 20 teams
The SAP Center, known as "The Shark Tank" for being the home of the San Jose Sharks hockey team, has a capacity of over 17,000 spectators. It's a huge space, and that shows both in the experience of competing and in following it from the stands.
The full week has more events than many people expect:
- July 21-23: Masters CrossFit Games by Legends. New for 2026: master athletes compete for the first time in their own separate competition, also in San José.
- July 23: Block Party. Free community event that kicks off the entire week, no ticket required.
- July 24-26: Individual and team CrossFit Games.
If you plan to attend in person, San José in July has warm afternoons (27–29°C) and cool mornings (13–16°C). Upon entering the arena the change is immediate: hockey rink floor, climate-controlled air, lower temperatures than you expect after being outside. That affects athletes more than it seems: warm-ups, layers of clothing, energy management between events.
How to get to the Games: the 2026 qualification pathway
This season has been the most ambitious in format since 2019. The system returned to the full four-phase structure, with significant updates in each.
Open (February 26 – March 16)
The entry point. Anyone can participate. In 2026, 254,000 athletes registered, an 8.1% increase over the previous year. Three workouts in three weeks determine who advances to the top 25% worldwide.
Quarterfinals (March 26–30)
They return in 2026 after a year of absence. Online, from any box with a certified judge. Four workouts that separate the field more rigorously than the Open. The top 2,000 men and top 2,000 women advance to the Semifinals.
Semifinals (April – June)
Ten in-person events spread around the world plus an Online Semifinal. This is the phase where spots for the Games are allocated: each in-person event awards between 1 and 3 spots per gender. The Online Semifinal (June 11–15) adds 7 more spots per gender for those who did not qualify via the in-person route.
CrossFit Games (July 24–26)
The top 30 men, top 30 women and top 20 teams in the world. From here, the program is unknown until competition time.
Who will be competing in San José
The athletes qualified for the CrossFit Games 2026 come from 10 in-person Semifinals held around the world, from Australia to Chile, through Europe, Asia and North America. Among the qualifiers are names you already know from previous editions and others who arrive for the first time on CrossFit's biggest stage.
Among them will be Calum Clements, Velites athlete, who earned his spot by finishing 3rd at the MAD Fitness Festival. It's his return to the Games after finishing 16th in 2025.
See the full list of athletes qualified for the CrossFit Games 2026
How to watch the CrossFit Games 2026 live
The Games are broadcast on the official CrossFit Games YouTube channel, free and accessible from anywhere in the world. Also on ESPN+ for those with access.
What you won't be able to do is prepare in advance for each event.
Workouts are not published before the competition: they are revealed progressively over the three days, sometimes hours in advance and sometimes minutes before athletes step onto the floor. That uncertainty is part of what makes the Games unique.
At Velites we will be in San José all three days and will update our blog in real time with details of each event, results and impressions from the Velites athletes competing.
Velites at the CrossFit Games 2026: official partner for the second year
Velites is the Official Partner for Apparel, Footwear, Grips and Jump Ropes of the CrossFit Games 2026. Second consecutive year, with more preparation time and greater clarity on what athletes need in competition.
What that means in practice:
- Apparel: mandatory for all athletes competing at the Games. It is the only required equipment category.
- Footwear: the Hybrid 1.0 and Minimal shoes (first time at the Games). Available for athletes but not mandatory.
- Grips: co-branded Velites x CrossFit grips available for all athletes.
- Jump rope: The Fire 2.0 and the Earth 2.0 are the official reference. In specific workouts it may be the assigned jump rope. It will be announced in the briefing for each event.
There will be a Velites booth in San José throughout the week, staff present in California for all three competition days and real-time coverage of everything that happens.
If you want to equip yourself with the same gear worn by the athletes competing at the CrossFit Games 2026:
See the official CrossFit Games Velites collection
Frequently asked questions about the CrossFit Games 2026
When are the CrossFit Games 2026?
From July 24 to 26, 2026.
Where are the CrossFit Games 2026 held?
At the SAP Center in San José, California (USA), known as "The Shark Tank".
How many athletes participate?
30 men, 30 women and 20 teams in the individual and team categories. Masters compete in their own Games from July 21 to 23, also in San José.
How can you watch them live?
On the official CrossFit Games YouTube channel (free) and on ESPN+.
Are the workouts known in advance?
No. Events are revealed progressively during the three days of competition. Part of the Games' challenge is exactly that: not knowing what's coming.
What does it mean that Velites is an official partner of the CrossFit Games?
That all athletes compete wearing Velites apparel; it's mandatory. Velites is also the official supplier of footwear, grips, and jump ropes for the 2026 Games.
Is this the first time the Games are held in San José?
Yes. The Games started in Aromas, California (2007), moved to Carson (2010–2016) and then to Madison, Wisconsin. In 2026, in their 20th edition, they return to California for the first time in a decade.
Are there events before July 24?
Yes. On July 23 there is a free community Block Party. From July 21 to 23 the Masters CrossFit Games by Legends are held at the San José McEnery Convention Center.
We will update this article with all the information about the CrossFit Games 2026 as it becomes available. To not miss anything, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
