Earlier this year, CrossFit Games General Manager Justin Bergh announced CrossFit was seeking proposals from cities interested in hosting the sport’s biggest event in 2017 and beyond. Carson, California’s StubHub Center (formerly the Home Depot Center) has hosted every iteration of the Games since 2010.
Now, after months of speculation, it appears the Games has a new home: Jacksonville, Florida.
The announcement — well, something — came via Games Director Dave Castro’s Instagram account. This doesn’t officially confirm the move — it’s not official official until Dave Castro speaks it publicly — and there’s a chance this is actually the first post of several in various cities as Castro and team survey new, potential venues.
But we’re guessing that’s not the case and that Jacksonville will indeed host in 2017.
Jacksonville was one of the first cities to make a public bid for the CrossFit Games, using the hashtag #CROSSFITtoJAX in their campaign to secure the event. The hashtag is prominently displayed on the EverBank Stadium scoreboard in Castro’s post, and the stadium — most known for being home to the Jacksonville Jaguars — will presumably be part of the 2017 CrossFit Games venue.Â
It seems Games athletes, workers, volunteers, and fans can officially bid Carson goodbye as the event moves to Northeastern Florida. It’s unclear right now if Jacksonville has secured hosting rights for the Games beyond 2017.
Interestingly, the Games logo displayed on the scoreboard doesn’t feature the title sponsor (Reebok) we’re used to seeing as part of the logo; this may simply be because a custom 2017 CrossFit Games logo hasn’t been developed yet.
Featured image: Dave Castro’s Instagram (@thedavecastro)