It’s almost here! The CrossFit Open 2026 is just around the corner, and once again, SCFIT – Home of Second City CrossFit, will be right at the heart of the action. Over three weeks, CrossFit gyms around the world will come together to take on the same three workouts, celebrate progress, and share in one of the biggest moments on the annual CrossFit calendar.
This year is a particularly special one: 2026 marks two decades of the path to finding the Fittest on Earth (and the 20th CrossFit Games!) making this Open a milestone moment in CrossFit history. Read on to find out what the Open is all about, what’s happening at SCFIT, and how you can get involved.
The CrossFit Games & The Open: A Quick Overview
The CrossFit Games is an annual global competition that brings together athletes from around the world across a wide range of divisions, including individual, age group, team, and adaptive categories. The season begins with The CrossFit Open – an inclusive, open-to-all series of three workouts released over three weeks; one per week.
Each workout is completed in your own gym, with your local CrossFit community. For some, the Open is the first stepping stone on the qualification path towards the CrossFit Games. For hundreds of thousands of others, it’s simply a chance to take part in something bigger, test themselves in a supportive environment, and share a collective experience with CrossFitters across the globe!
The 2026 season will look similar to last year, with a few exciting additions, including the return of Quarterfinals and live Games-qualifying opportunities for age groups and teams. If you’d like to dive deeper into how the season works, you can find full details on the CrossFit Games website here!
Key Dates for the CrossFit Open 2026
Here are the crucial dates for your diary!
- The CrossFit Open Registration launches: January 14th – THIS WEEK!
- The CrossFit Open: February 26th – March 16th
Workout windows (when the workout is released, up until the deadline for your score submission):
- Open Workout 26.1: February 26th – March 2nd
- Open Workout 26.2: March 5th – March 9th
- Open Workout 26.3: March 12th – March 16th
Each workout is released on a Thursday, with the ‘long weekend’ to complete it and log your score online.
First Step: Register for The Open!
There are two parts to getting involved:
– Officially registering for The Open online
– Booking your spot(s) each week to do the workouts at SCFIT!
Now, it’s important to note: you don’t have to register for the CrossFit Open to take part at SCFIT…but, we’re strongly encouraging it! And here’s why…
The Open is the official global CrossFit event that keeps our sport thriving year after year. Registering helps ensure the Open continues long into the future, and it connects our local SCFIT community with the wider CrossFit world. It’s a chance to take part in the very same qualifying event that elite athletes are doing across the globe, all while being supported by your CrossFit crew right here in Stirchley!
Registering also gives you a brilliant opportunity to reflect back on your progress over time. Whether it’s your first Open or your fifteenth, being able to look back at past performances, see how far you’ve come, and celebrate improvements year on year is incredibly powerful. If this is your first year, this may not feel like it matters just now – but future-you will be SO grateful that you set the benchmark this year! You can not go back and add a score once The Open has passed – so we really can’t recommend it enough… get yourself registered!
Most importantly, registering makes the Open feel special. It’s not just another workout. It’s a shared experience, a once-a-year milestone, and something we’d love every SCFIT member to be part of.
Why is it so special?
In addition to all of the above… there is something truly magical about The CrossFit Open. The energy and occasion creates a can’t-be-beaten atmosphere that lights a fire in the community. People push themselves more than they might have in class… they see the Scaled workout with those daunting hanging knee-raises, and wonder if they’ll make it through 50 of them… and they give it a go! They try their first pull up, or muscle up… and would you believe it; many get that first ever rep or all-time PB in the Open workout! It’s a time to challenge yourself beyond what you thought was possible, and with the whole gym community cheering you on, screaming your name and counting down each rep, amazing things happen!
What’s Happening at SCFIT During the Open?
As always, SCFIT will be hosting Friday Night Lights on each of the Open Fridays. These evenings are a huge highlight of the year – an inclusive, community-focused event where members come together to take on the Open workout, judge and support one another, and soak up the atmosphere.
The format will follow previous years. Once each workout is released, the SCFIT coaching team will open bookable heat slots via WODBoard, allowing you to choose a time that works for you. Members are encouraged to stick around, cheer on others, and be part of the buzz that makes Friday Night Lights so special.
We’ll be sharing much more detail closer to the time about exactly how Friday Night Lights will run, how to book, and what to expect, so keep an eye out for updates!
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do I have to be to take part in the CrossFit Open 2026?
There is no minimum requirement! The CrossFit Open is designed for everyone. Each workout offers different categories, including RX, Scaled, and Foundations, as well as age group and adaptive divisions. The aim is to provide options that are challenging (but of course, safe!) and appropriate for all fitness levels.
So… can beginners take part?
Yes! If you have an SCFIT membership that includes access to group CrossFit classes, you can take part in the Open – even if you’ve only done a handful of classes so far. The Open is for beginners just as much as it is for experienced CrossFitters and seasoned athletes.
Do I have to register?
You don’t have to, but we really, really encourage you to! Registering is what makes the Open an official, global event and sets it apart from any other class workout. It only comes once a year, and it’s a huge moment in the CrossFit calendar that we’d love everyone to experience fully. SCFIT is proud to one of the longest standing CrossFit Affiliates in the UK, so The Open means a whole lot to us! We’d love you to not only be part of the action at SCFIT, but part of the wider movement, too!
What if I can’t make Fridays?
That’s no problem. Each workout has a submission window, so as long as you complete the workout in a CrossFit gym and submit your score before the deadline, you’re good to go! Simply book yourself a spot in the ‘Extras’, round up a friend to judge you, and offer to judge them back! Friday Night Lights are a fantastic option, but they’re not the only way to take part.
What if I’m away for a whole workout week?
One of the best things about the Open is that CrossFit affiliates around the world are all doing the same workouts. If you’re travelling, you can use the CrossFit affiliate map to find a local gym and complete the workout there. Many SCFIT members and coaches have done this over the years – in fact, my wife Adele and I still vividly remember sneaking out to complete Open workout 17.1 in Seattle while attending a family wedding in the US! I’m pretty sure Adele’s brother thought we were crazy sneaking out to work out – and even more so when our backs were totally jacked up for the wedding the next day after so many Dumbbell snatches and Burpees Box Jump Overs… but it was totally worth it!
Not Yet a CrossFit Member at SCFIT?
If you’re not currently a CrossFit member at SCFIT but would like to be involved in the Open, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re an existing SCFIT HYROX member curious about CrossFit or perhaps a visiting CrossFitter, get in touch and we’ll chat through the best options for you, or book a time to chat here!
For everyone else: get those dates in the diary, keep an eye on your inbox, and get ready! The CrossFit Open 2026 is coming, and we can’t wait to take it on together at SCFIT – Home of Second City CrossFit.