Rogue Increases Travel Stipend to Support Athletes’ Travel to Invitational
On October 29, 2021, dozens of CrossFit athletes will descend on Austin, TX for the third annual Rogue Invitational, competing for a slice of a massive $1.3 million prize purse. Tucked away in their official invitation were details offering a travel stipend of up to $2,000 for athletes traveling outside of North America plus five nights hotel stay, a two-night increase from 2019.
One big thing: As well as boasting the largest off-season prize purse, the Rogue Invitational stands alone in being the only CrossFit event, including the CrossFit Games, that pays out all competing athletes and offers comped airfare and lodging to competitors.
- Mayhem Desert Heat, a competition in the UAE programmed by Rich Froning, will use a modest athlete registration fee to help provide “transportation inside of the UAE, lodging, food and (potentially) some excursions.”
- The Dubai CrossFit Championship is the only other event that pays all competing athletes but doesn’t comp hotel and airfare. However, they do negotiate discounted prices on both.
- There have been instances where select athletes have had airfare and accommodation paid for.
The details: This travel stipend for the athletes varies based on where their journey begins. Athletes traveling in North America, including Canada, will receive $1,000, and athletes traveling from outside the continent will receive a $2,000 stipend.
- Rogue will also put the athletes up at a hotel near the competition. Their stays will last five days, providing time to prepare for the three-day spectacle.
- Rogue is currently working with authorities on a plan that will help international athletes arrive in the United States for the competition and avoid potential visa issues.
The equipment giant has previously provided these stipends. One competitor told the Morning Chalk Up that Rogue offered $1,000 in 2019 to help offset the travel costs within North America, but was unsure about what was offered to athletes traveling from outside of North America.
Why it matters: Athlete travel costs and potential earnings have always been a focal point of discussion as the costs for international athletes skyrocketed due to COVID-19 travel requirements, especially considering the Games still requires a $250 registration fee and only pays out the top 20 athletes.
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