The 2023 CrossFit Games kick off on Aug. 1, with Age Group and Adaptive competition in Madison, WI. Individuals and Teams will start their Games on Aug. 3.
During the preparation stage for the Games — where the equipment is set up and events are tested by the CrossFit Demo Team — Dave Castro published a video on his YouTube channel wherein he stated that the CrossFit Games would not return to Madison, WI. Check it out below at the 5:15 mark:
Destination Madison Director of Communications & Public Affairs Rob Gard confirmed to NBC15 that the 2023 CrossFit Games will be the last one held in Madison. The CrossFit Games have been held in Madison since 2017, with the exception of the 2020 Games held in Aromas, CA, due to the lockdowns caused by COVID-19.
The reveal that the Games will not return to Madison is a reversal of what CrossFit’s January 25, 2023, press release stated, which deemed Madison as “ideal” for hosting the CrossFit Games. Destination Madison estimates that the Games generated $12 million in tourism revenue in 2022 for Dane County, where the Aliant Energy Center is located. The Games also brought in an estimated 50,000 spectators throughout the week of competition.
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However, it doesn’t appear that CrossFit’s decision to leave Madison has much to do with Madison and more to do with expanding the sport’s reach. Per CrossFit’s statement, the decision was made to further the goal of exposing more people to CrossFit.
Our goal is to bring the Games to more regions around the world. We’ve had an incredible run in Madison, and we’re so grateful to the city and local community.
At the time of this article’s publication, a new location for the 2024 CrossFit Games has not been announced. It is expected that the new location for the Games will be announced at the end of the 2023 season, which is presumably sometime after the conclusion of the Games on Aug. 6.
Featured image: @crossfitgames on Instagram
