CrossFit Open 26.1
The 2026 CrossFit Open kicks off with Workout 26.1. Find the live announcement date, start time, location, and the first athletes taking on the season’s opening test.
The 2026 CrossFit Open kicks off with Workout 26.1. Find the live announcement date, start time, location, and the first athletes taking on the season’s opening test.
The 2026 CrossFit Open season begins with the live announcement of Open Workout 26.1, setting the tone for this year’s global competition.
Each season, the first workout reveal generates huge anticipation across the CrossFit community, as athletes around the world prepare to test their fitness and see how they stack up. 26.1 marks the official start of three weeks of racing the clock, chasing personal bests, and embracing the shared challenge of the Open.
Participants can expect a well-rounded test designed to be both accessible and demanding, this will surely be a workout that invites the entire community in while still pushing elite athletes to their limits.
Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Location: Moffett Federal Airfield
Live Announcement: 12:00 PM PT / 21:00 CET
Following the workout reveal, four top CrossFit Games athletes will be the first to take on 26.1 in the live throwdown:
As always, the opening workout will kick off an exciting three-week journey of competition, community, and performance.
For time:
20 wall-ball shots
18 box jump-overs
30 wall-ball shots
18 box jump-overs
40 wall-ball shots
18 medicine-ball box step-overs
66 wall-ball shots
18 medicine-ball box step-overs
40 wall-ball shots
18 box jump-overs
30 wall-ball shots
18 box jump-overs
20 wall-ball shots
Time cap: 12 minutes
♀ 14-lb (6-kg) medicine ball, 9-foot target, 20-inch box
♂ 20-lb (9-kg) medicine ball, 10-ft target, 24-inch box
The event was live-streamed on CrossFit Games website and YouTube channel
Jayson Hopper: an American CrossFit athlete and former college football player who rose rapidly through the sport’s ranks. Known for his blend of power and endurance, he became the 2025 CrossFit Games champion, earning the title “Fittest Man on Earth.” His ascent from regional newcomer to world champion within four years has made him one of CrossFit’s standout competitors.
Dallin Pepper: an American CrossFit athlete known for his rapid ascent from teen prodigy to elite contender. A three-time CrossFit Games teen division champion (2017–2019), he has since become one of the sport’s most consistent performers, finishing runner-up at the 2024 Games and fourth in 2025.
Colten Mertens: an American CrossFit athlete and Iowa pig farmer renowned for his strength, resilience, and consistent performances at the CrossFit Games. Nicknamed “The Iron Hog,” he combines elite athletic ability with the work ethic forged from his farm life, making him one of the sport’s most recognizable competitors.
Austin Hatfield: an American CrossFit athlete from Beckley, West Virginia, known for his rapid rise in the sport and his unique dual life as a competitive athlete and rabbit farmer. After starting CrossFit in 2017, he quickly advanced to the elite level, earning recognition at the 2024 CrossFit Games and on the 2025 WFP Tour.
This year’s Open is going to start with a proper leg burner. For most people this will be a 12 minute suffer fest of wall balls, box jump overs and box step overs. Finishing or even getting close to finishing will be reserved for some of the best in the world. We are looking for smooth reps on the box jump overs and smart breaks on the wall balls. We recommend smart pacing from the beginning, as muscular fatigue in the legs will set in quickly if you push it too far. Once you have made it to the step overs, try to keep moving at a slow and steady rate that allows you to catch your breath for the biggest set of wall balls.
General warm-up:
2 Rounds of:
10 Unilateral hip flows each side
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOrR9j1UqM
10 Alt Single leg good mornings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8FsDx6Scx8
5 Rolling straddle stretches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyG7MK8REFg
10 Bottom squat rotation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7oBIqPOiw
Then: 27 squats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJf3ce0F_OI
Then spend 10 min on your machine of choice, aiming to get a little sweaty and bring your heart rate up. You should feel more alert, but not tired.
Specific warm up
20 Box jump overs, get to know the feeling of the movement and get into a rhythm, get a feel for how you would like to do step down the box
20 wall balls, try to get a good flow and be aware of your breathing, as many people hold their breath too much when doing this movement.
20 Wall ball box step overs.
Followed by 2 or 3 rounds at “Workout” pace. E.g.:
6 Box jump overs
8 Wall balls
6 Box jump overs
8 wall balls
12 Box step overs
8 wall balls
If you are breathing too heavily after this, you should back off and not go out too hot. Then, give yourself 5 minutes or so before beginning the workout.
The first sets of wall balls should feel comfortable – don’t start too fast. You will be punished later on if you can’t resist the temptation of sprinting the start. Approach this workout as if you will be working for 12 minutes consecutively at a steady rate. The set of 66 will likely be the separator for most people. We recommend breaking early to keep the legs fresh and the heart rate controlled.
Specific Movement Strategy:
Wall balls: For high achievers try to keep the sets unbroken, at least the round of 20 and 30, break the 40 in half if needed. Then for the 66 don’t risk going to failure. Once you have made it back to the round of 40, try to hang on and do what you can to not feel sorry for yourself. For most of the athletes, break the movement early on the first sets, depending on your capacity and level in 2 or 3 sets.
Box jump overs: Try to stay light on your feet and jump as high as necessary to land on the box, keep a consistent rhythm and focus on controlling the breathing while you are moving.
Box step overs: Hold the ball as it feels comfortable, for most of the people will be on the shoulder. It will not only allow you to breathe more freely, but also to see the box for easier foot placement.
The box must be placed at least 10 feet away from the wall ball station for safety. Make sure to keep transitions shorts on this one. Do not waste any time transitioning between. When doing the step overs make sure to find a hold you can keep the wall ball steady, be it on your shoulder or in a bear hug.
John Singleton, the founder of The Progrm, is known for training elite athletes, including many of Europe’s top CrossFit Games competitors. With a Master’s degree in Osteopathy, John combines science-based programming with a focus on performance and recovery. Based in Mallorca, Spain, he leads a global community dedicated to helping athletes optimize performance and longevity in the sport.
