It is officially February. You know what that means.
The text threads are lighting up. The gym gossip has started. And somewhere in a dark warehouse (or perhaps sunny California this year), Dave Castro and the team are finalizing the tests that will define our fitness for the next three weeks.
With the 2026 CrossFit® Open kicking off on February 26th, we are less than three weeks away from…
“3… 2… 1… GO.”
This year feels different. It’s the 20th Anniversary season. The Games are returning to California (San Jose). The Quarterfinals are back to a generous Top 25% cutline.
What does this tell us about the programming?
We believe 2026 will be a tribute to the Classics. With a wider cutline for Quarterfinals, the Open doesn’t need to be a “bloodbath” of niche skills to filter out the 99%. Instead, expect tests of pure work capacity, grit, and the fundamental movements that built this sport.
Here is our breakdown of what to expect, what to practice, and what you can probably skip.
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The “Guaranteed” Locks (100% Probability)
If you aren’t touching these weekly, you are already behind. These are the bread and butter of the Open.
- Thrusters: It isn’t the Open without them. Whether it’s a barbell or a dumbbell, you will be squatting and pressing. (Fran, anyone?)
- Burpees: Burpee box jump overs, bar-facing burpees, or just burpees to a target. They are simple to judge and awful to do.
- Double Unders: The standard is cemented. You need to be able to trip up, whip yourself, and keep going.
- Wall Walks: Since 2021, these have become a staple to test shoulder stamina and inversion without the bottleneck of a Handstand Push-up. Expect them early, maybe even in 26.1
The “High Probability” List (Likely to Appear)
- Dumbbell Snatches: A versatile movement that tests the posterior chain and is easy to organize in affiliates worldwide.
- Toes-to-Bar: The standard gymnastics capacity test. If your grip blows up, your score blows up.
- Chest-to-Bar Pull-ups: Usually the gateway drug to the “Rx” leaderboard.
- Rowing: We haven’t seen a pure row-for-calories in a hot minute in a way that really hurts. With the “Engine” focus of the 20th anniversary, a rower is a safe bet.
The “Wildcards” & The Anniversary Twist
Here is where it gets interesting. With the Top 25% advancing, the programmers can save the truly high-skill separation tests (like strict HSPU or heavy snatches) for the Quarterfinals.
Castro has confirmed there will be a new movement that the CrossFit® community is familiar with, BUT we have NOT seen in the Open? Will it be Devils Press? Burpee over the Rower? Only time will tell.
However, because it is the 20th Anniversary, we are predicting a Historic Repeat.
- The Repeat: Rumors are swirling about a tribute to the “Ranch” era. Could we see a repeat of 11.6 (Thrusters/C2B) or perhaps 14.4 (Row/Toes-to-Bar/Wall Ball/Clean/Muscle-up)?
- Crossovers: They have been teasing us for two years. Now that they are standard in Quarterfinals, we might finally see Single Under Crossovers in the Open as a skill check for the Scaled or Foundations divisions, or perhaps an early Rx movement.
- Bar Muscle-Ups: Likely the “separator” movement in Week 3 (26.3).
What You (Probably) Won’t Set
- Ring Muscle-Ups: These have largely migrated to the Quarterfinals/Semifinals. The rig height requirements make them a nightmare for some affiliates.
- Heavy Barbells (1RM): While we might see a ladder (like a clean ladder), a pure 1RM Snatch event is unlikely in the Open format. They save the heavy loading for the Quarterfinals to weed out the aerobic monsters who lack strength.
- Pistols: Hard to judge fast, knee-breaking for many. Usually reserved for the next stage.
How to Prepare (With 3 Weeks Left)
Let’s be honest: You aren’t going to get 20% stronger in three weeks.
Foundations are laid, the house is built, but time for the finishing touches.
- Practice Transitions: In the Open, you lose time moving between movements. Drill your setups.
- Clean Up Standards: Don’t get no-repped on Wall Walks because your hands were an inch over the line. Read the fine print (or let us do it for you).
- Engine Maintenance: Do shorter, high-intensity metcons (8-12 minutes) to get your lungs used to the “Open Cough.”
The 2026 Open is going to be a celebration of fitness. Whether you are aiming for that Quarterfinal slot or just want to beat your buddy, we’ve got your back.
See you on the leaderboard!
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Get the exact progressions for the most-likely Open movements, so nothing catches you off guard when 3…2…1…GO hits. See you inside WODprep Academy Today!
Read More 2026 CrossFit® Quarterfinals Workouts & Strategy
Read More 2026 CrossFit® Open Workouts & Strategy
- 26.3 CrossFit® Open Workout and Standards
- 26.3 CrossFit® Open Strategy and Tips
- 26.2 CrossFit® Open Workout and Standards
- 26.2 CrossFit® Open Strategy and Tips
- 26.1 CrossFit® Open Workout and Standards
- 26.1 CrossFit® Open Strategy and Tips
Read More 2026 CrossFit® Open Content:
- 2026 CrossFit® Open Predictions: What Movements Will We See?
- 5 Bold Predictions for the 2026 Open (Burpees Not Included)
- How to Crush the 2026 CrossFit® Open: Your 4-Day Game Plan
- How to Prepare for the 2026 CrossFit® Open (With Less than 3 Weeks Left!)
- 7 Movements You MUST Master for the 2026 CrossFit® Open
- The 2026 CrossFit® Open Leaderboard: How to Track Your Spot (And Make the Cut)
- The Quarterfinals Are Back: Your Complete Guide to the 2026 CrossFit® Season