The 2026 CrossFit Games kick off this week in San Jose, California, marking the 20th anniversary of the competition. Taking place from July 21 to 26, the event is expected to draw more than 10,000 fans as top CrossFit athletes battle through a series of surprise events designed to test every aspect of their fitness. Winners will earn cash prizes and more importantly, the coveted title of the “Fittest on Earth.” As this year’s Games celebrate 20 years, they also highlight CrossFit’s transformation from a niche fitness community into a global fitness movement.
“The CrossFit Games began as a grassroots gathering on my family ranch, where athletes from different gyms came together to test their fitness and see who was the fittest,” says Dave Castro, Head of Education and Sport at CrossFit. “It felt more like a hang out than a sporting event—people cooking out, cheering each other on, and celebrating what the human body is capable of. Over the past 20 years, we’ve transformed that small competition into a world-class sporting event.”
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Since the inaugural Games, the competition season has expanded significantly, highlighted by the introduction of the CrossFit Open, which has grown into the world’s largest participatory sporting event. While the scale and professionalism of the Games has evolved tremendously over the past two decades, Castro says the competition’s core identity remains unchanged. Today’s athletes are fitter, more skilled, and better prepared than ever, but still embody the same grit, resilience, and willingness to embrace the unknown that defined the very first CrossFit Games.
Unpredictability defines the Games. Most sports are built around a defined set of skills, with athletes knowing exactly the kind of work they’ll be up against on competition day. Think of any traditional sport, like soccer or basketball, and even HYROX or road races. But what makes the CrossFit Games so exciting is that athletes don’t know what they’ll be asked to do during competition, providing that element of preparing for the unknown
“Our athletes spend the entire year training to be ready for anything, but when they arrive at the Games, they don’t know exactly what that ‘anything’ will be. A workout announcement can instantly reveal an unexpected strength or expose a weakness. That uncertainty creates a level of anticipation that’s unique—not just for the athletes, but for everyone watching,” Castro says
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To celebrate the 20th CrossFit Games, fans can expect to see nods to the competition’s early years, including an opening event that revisits the very first workout from the inaugural Games in 2007. But while this year’s competition honors its roots, it also reflects the future of CrossFit. Castro says the organization remains focused on finding new ways for its community to challenge themselves, measure their fitness, and stay engaged with the methodology
“The Games are a celebration of our history, but they’re also a statement about where we’re headed: continuing to evolve the sport while making sure the CrossFit methodology remains accessible, relevant, and impactful for everyone,” he adds
2026 CrossFit Games Schedule
To view the complete schedule and event times, head to the CrossFit Games website here
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Masters Competition: July 21–23
Individuals Competition: July 22–26
Teams Competition:July 23–26
Teenage & Adaptive Divisions:July 24–26
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Dave Castro, Head of Education and Sport at CrossFit
This story was originally published byMen’s Journalon Jul 21, 2026, where it first appeared in theFitnesssection. Add Men’s Journal as aPreferred
