Catch the Action Live: Where and How to Watch the 2026 CrossFit Open Workout 26.1 Reveal
The 2026 CrossFit Open officially begins with the unveiling of Workout 26.1, the first test of this year’s global competition set to start Feb. 26 at the Moffett Air National Guard Base. The announcement ceremony will be streamed live and free worldwide on the CrossFit Games app, CrossFit Games YouTube and CrossFit Games website starting at 12 p.m. PT.
Workout 26.1 will set the tone for athletes and fans across the world who are preparing to measure their fitness against the broader CrossFit community. During the show, organizers will reveal the full workout details before a select group of top competitors — Jayson Hopper, Dalin Pepper, Colten Mertens and Austin Hatfield — become the first to attempt the challenge.
Score submissions are due by Monday, March 2 at 5 p.m. PT for all 2026 CrossFit Open Workout 26.1 competitors, with athletes worldwide able to either complete the workout in the presence of a judge at a licensed CrossFit affiliate gym in good standing or upload a working YouTube link to the CrossFit Games Website, potentially earning a spot on the leaderboard.
For those interested in catching the announcement ceremony live for the Crossfit Open Workout 26.1 – you can follow along below on Feb 26.
Meet the Elite: CrossFit Open Workout 26.1
As stated above, this year’s Workout 26.1 showcase features a compelling lineup of elite talent set to test their limits on the broadcast: Jayson Hopper, Dallin Pepper, Colten Mertens and Austin Hatfield.
- Jayson Hopper: Hopper enters the season as one of the sport’s most prominent competitors, having captured the title of Fittest Man on Earth at the 2025 CrossFit Games. His performance in Workout 26.1 will be closely watched as fans look for early signs of how his offseason training has translated to competition form.
- Dalin Pepper: Pepper has established himself as a consistent CrossFit Games contender, including a runner‑up finish at the 2024 CrossFit Games and a fourth‑place result in 2025, demonstrating his ability to consistently compete with the sport’s elite.
- Colten Mertens: Mertens captured the 2025 CrossFit Open men’s overall title, topping the leaderboard after three scored workouts. He earned first place in two of the three Open workouts (25.1 and 25.2) and finished second in the final workout, giving him the lowest total points and the overall win.
- Austin Hatfield: Hatfield, meanwhile, represents the new wave of rising talent. After breaking through at the CrossFit Games and posting a top-five finish last season, he continues to build momentum and aims to make a statement early in 2026.
The head-to-head format allows viewers to analyze and evaluate strategies from the best CrossFitters on the planet and leverage it into their own performances.
Background: CrossFit Games
The CrossFit Games, held every year since its inception in 2007, is an annual competition where athletes compete in a variety of workouts including weightlifting, gymnastics movements, metabolic conditioning exercises, and plethora of other challenges pulled from sports like road cycling, swimming, strongman, etc. Events are typically undisclosed prior to the competition and may include unexpected elements to gauge overall fitness according to CrossFit’s standards. Winners receive both cash prizes and the coveted title of “Fittest on Earth.” The CrossFit Open is simply the first stage of the CrossFit season, open to anyone worldwide.
CrossFit Games Champions (Individual & Team)
2007
• Men: James FitzGerald
• Women: Jolie Gentry
• Team: CrossFit Santa Cruz
2008
• Men: Jason Khalipa
• Women: Caity Matter
• Team: CrossFit Oakland
2009
• Men: Mikko Salo
• Women: Tanya Wagner
• Team: Northwest CrossFit
2010
• Men: Graham Holmberg
• Women: Kristan Clever
• Team: CrossFit Fort Vancouver
2011
• Men: Rich Froning Jr.
• Women: Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir
• Team: CrossFit New England
2012
• Men: Rich Froning Jr.
• Women: Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir
• Team: Hack’s Pack UTE
2013
• Men: Rich Froning Jr.
• Women: Samantha Briggs
• Team: Hack’s Pack UTE
2014
• Men: Rich Froning Jr.
• Women: Camille Leblanc‑Bazinet
• Team: CrossFit Invictus
2015
• Men: Ben Smith
• Women: Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir
• Team: CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2016
• Men: Mathew Fraser
• Women: Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir
• Team: CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2017
• Men: Mathew Fraser
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: Wasatch CrossFit
2018
• Men: Mathew Fraser
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2019
• Men: Mathew Fraser
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2020
• Men: Mathew Fraser
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: No team events held
2021
• Men: Justin Medeiros
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: CrossFit Mayhem
2022
• Men: Justin Medeiros
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
2023
• Men: Jeff Adler
• Women: Laura Horvath
• Team: CrossFit Invictus
2024
• Men: James Sprague
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder
2025
• Men: Jayson Hopper
• Women: Tia‑Clair Toomey
• Team: CrossFit Oslo Kriger
2026 CrossFit Open Remaining Workouts
Open Workout 26.2
- March 5, 12 p.m. PT to March 9, 5 p.m. PT
Open Workout 26.3
- March 12, 12 p.m. PT to March 16, 5 p.m. PT
*Featured image courtesy of the Crossfit Games official website
