In an announcement the fitness world has been eagerly anticipating since early 2016, CrossFit Games Director Dave Castro finally let fans and athletes know the location of the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games:
Madison, Wisconsin
Speaking during the Cool Down show after the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Invitational, Castro made the announcement to live fans and thousands watching online.
Earlier this year, CrossFit Games General Manger Justin Bergh wrote a letter saying the organization was exploring other venue and location options for the 2017 Games and beyond. Since 2010, the CrossFit Games has been held at the StubHub Center (formerly the Home Depot Center) in Carson, California. From 2007 (the first CrossFit Games) to 2009, the event was held at Castro’s family ranch in Aromas, California.
Shortly after the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games, Castro and members of his team traveled across the country to scout potential locations that included Chattanooga, Jacksonville, and Madison.
The 2017 competition will take place primarily at Madison’s Alliant Energy Center. From its website:
The Alliant Energy Center of Dane County is located in beautiful Madison, Wisconsin and serves as a multi-building entertainment venue for expositions, conventions, conferences, meetings, banquets, consumer shows, outdoor events, concerts and much more. The campus encompasses 164 acres and features Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, Willow Island, the New Holland Pavilions, and the Arena Building.
No word has been released on exact dates for the 2017 Reebok CrossFit Games, but early hotel booking sites indicate the competition will take place in the first week of August.
New Age Division
Castro also announced a new, hotly-anticipated addition to the 2017 Games: a new Masters age bracket for 35-39 year old athletes. Previously, Masters eligibility started for athletes at 40 years old.
What do you think of the announcements? Do you plan on attending next year’s event in Madison? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image: @thedavecastro on Instagram
