On April 13th, CrossFit announced via Twitter that they were committed to crowning champions for this year’s CrossFit Games and were exploring multiple options to hold the competition. During a time when most major sports leagues have postponed or canceled games, playoffs, and entire seasons, the strength world has generally followed similar behavior, with numerous scheduling adjustments that include the Tokyo Olympics and World Games.
On April 16th, via Twitter and a post on the Games homepage, CrossFit announced they were “committed to planning a live competition with live media coverage.”
The proposed location? All the way back to the Games’ origins: a ranch in Aromas, California. (Potential date changes, if they are to occur, have not yet been publicly addressed by CrossFit. The 2020 CrossFit Games were originally slated to kick off on Wednesday, July 29th in Madison, Wisconsin.)
We remain fully committed to planning a live competition with live media coverage. At this point, we are concentrating on a competition in Aromas, the original home of the CrossFit Games. pic.twitter.com/HxR8DnA3S2
— The CrossFit Games (@CrossFitGames) April 16, 2020
The Games’ posts also said they were evaluating the possibility of a virtual competition, which comes weeks after the Rogue Invitational — another major event in the CrossFit season — announced they were moving their event online.
We are also evaluating options for virtual competition. We will continue to monitor events globally and will have more details for athletes and fans in the coming months.
The Games will not be a public event.
Details ➞ https://t.co/SpQDNkXhwP pic.twitter.com/jSJXDI8A8h
— The CrossFit Games (@CrossFitGames) April 16, 2020
Whichever format is eventually picked for the 2020 CrossFit Games, only one thing is for certain: There will be no live spectators. Ticket holders and vendors who have already purchased tickets and physical booths for this year’s Games will be refunded.
[Want to know what the CrossFit Games will look like in the coming years? Listen to our interview with CrossFit Games General Manager Justin Bergh.]
From CrossFit’s announcement:
For fans who have purchased tickets, camping, or hospitality packages, Ticketmaster, who holds these payments until after any physical event, will be issuing full refunds. CrossFit will be issuing full refunds to exhibitors.
We’ll continue to monitor announcements and provide updated information as it becomes available.
Editor’s Note: BarBend was one of several media outlets that live streamed the individual and team competitions at the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games. BarBend and CrossFit are independent organizations and maintain editorial independence unless otherwise specified on collaborative content.
Featured image: CrossFit Games