2025 CrossFit Open Registrations Down 32%; Lowest Whole Since 2014

The downward development continues.

Final up to date on March 4th, 2025

CrossFit Open exercise 25.1 is finished, and the outcomes are in. 

Whereas many are pondering their very own health stage, the leaderboard, as all the time, additionally highlights general registration and participation.

Since registration opened on January 15, we have now been constructing towards this second. The primary exercise of the 2025 CrossFit Video games season was introduced, scores have been submitted, and the mud has began to settle.

12 months	Whole	YoY Progress
2019	358,646	-13.79%
2020	239,106	-33.02%
2021	263,529	10.21%
2022	293,805	11.49%
2023	323,014	9.94%
2024	343,496	6.34%
2025	233,815	-31.93%

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This Sort of Lower Occurred As soon as Earlier than

A year-over-year discount in Open registrations this excessive has solely occurred as soon as in CrossFit’s historical past, again in 2020. 

The 2020 Open started on October 14, 2019, which is just 199 days after the top of the 2019 Open.

In that second Open of 2019, there was a 33.3% discount in registrations. Shortly after the 2020 Open, CrossFit launched these numbers to the media:

• 2019 CrossFit Open: 358,646 
• 2020 CrossFit Open: 239,106
• Whole Open contributors for this calendar yr: 450,386

Whereas registrations dropped considerably, CrossFit identified that general participation was the best ever for a single yr of Open contributors.  

Issues are totally different this yr.

The final Open ended 346 days in the past, with 6.34% year-over-year progress from 2023, after three straight years of round 10% progress. 

• The rollercoaster was ticking up for a second time after the drop from 2018 to 2020.

With at this time’s preliminary numbers, the CrossFit neighborhood stands at 233,815 registered members, of whom 216,700 participated in 25.1. Many extra affiliate members doubtless did the Open of their gyms throughout class or throughout their Friday Evening Lights with out formally registering to have their names on the leaderboard and outcomes added to their Video games profile.

Elite Athletes Not On the Leaderboard

Many athletes have posted that they’re sitting out for the 2025 Open. Some are centered on different sports activities, household, working by way of accidents, or many different issues. 

• Different athletes have pointed to the demise of Lazar Ðukić on the 2024 Video games and the following investigation and security response by CrossFit LLC as a purpose for sitting out. 

The explanations for the general registration discount will doubtless be mentioned in additional element within the days and weeks to come back. 

Listed below are some numbers concerning latest Semifinal and Video games athletes who’re sitting out in 2025.

How Many Athletes Will Qualify for Semifinals?

For now, one set of numbers issues extra to rivals than another: What number of athletes per division will transfer on to the In-Affiliate Semifinals and/or meet the eligibility necessities to qualify for the CrossFit Video games by way of in-person qualifying occasions.

However wait, registration isn’t technically over, proper? 

• In contrast to the prize cash, which might be decided after the ultimate numbers are totaled after week three, the qualification spots for the following stage are finalized after week one.

Rule 2.01 of the 2025 CrossFit Video games rulebook states (emphasis added): 

• “Based mostly on the worldwide Open rank, the highest 1%* (or a minimal of 1,200 athletes) within the Particular person women and men divisions will qualify to take part in Semifinals. The highest 2%** (or a minimal of 200 athletes) in every age-group division will qualify to take part within the Age-Group Semifinals. ALL groups from the Open might be eligible to take part within the Workforce Semifinals with an opportunity to qualify for the CrossFit Video games.

• “*Percentages might be primarily based on the variety of athletes registered for the Particular person division worldwide on the shut of 25.1.
• “**Percentages might be primarily based on the variety of athletes registered for every Age-Group division worldwide on the shut of 25.1.”

Right here’s the breakdown of what number of athletes will qualify for the following stage after the Open is finished.

• These numbers are unofficial, primarily based on the full variety of registrations shortly after the 25.1 deadline date and time (March 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT).

The “Open Division” is made up of athletes that will compete for a spot as an Particular person within the 2025 CrossFit Video games:

Open Division	Whole Registration	1%	Qual SF (minimal)	Precise %
Males (16-54)	119,700	1,197	1,200	1.003%
Girls (16-54)	89,901	899	1,200	1.335%

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The Age Group Divisions additionally embody athletes who’re eligible to compete for a spot as an Particular person within the 2025 CrossFit Video games and athletes who’re competing for a spot on the Masters and Teen Video games:

Age Group Divisions	Whole Registration	2%	Qual SF (minimal)	Precise %
Males 35-39	26,444	529	200	2.000%
Males 40-44	20,240	405	200	2.000%
Girls 35-39	19,590	392	200	2.000%
Girls 40-44	20,240	405	200	2.000%
Males 45-49	13,185	264	200	2.000%
Girls 45-49	9,585	192	200	2.087%
Males 50-54	8,044	161	200	2.486%
Girls 50-54	5,499	110	200	3.637%
Males 55-59	4,901	98	200	4.081%
Girls 55-59	3,582	72	200	5.583%
Males 60-64	2,626	53	200	7.616%
Girls 60-64	2,091	42	200	9.565%
Males 65-69	1,184	24	200	16.892%
Boys 16-17	1,179	24	200	16.964%
Girls 65-69	1,121	22	200	17.841%
Ladies 16-17	1,150	23	200	17.391%
Boys 14-15	1,084	22	200	18.450%
Ladies 14-15	957	19	200	20.899%
Males 70+	626	13	200	31.949%
Girls 70+	609	12	200	32.841%

For the Adaptive CrossFit Video games introduced by WheelWOD, the highest 20 of every division advance to Semifinals.

Seventeen out of twenty-two divisions would require the usage of minimums because of an absence of registration. 

Solely the 35-39 women and men, 40-44 women and men, and the 45-49 males might be primarily based on 2% of the full. 

What’s Subsequent?

Within the days and weeks to come back, we are going to talk about Open participation, “new” versus “returning” athletes, and prize cash in additional element. 

You probably have strategies for what you want to see, drop a DM to Mike Halpin on Instagram at @known_knowable.

Featured picture: Heather Weir, @hweirphotography / Instagram