The Open is back, and this time, it’s all about precision. As we head into the 2025 CrossFit® season, there are some notable changes to the competition structure, timelines, and qualification processes.
At first glance, it might seem like a drastic and completely new change, but if you look a little deeper into the details, you’ll find it more closely resembles the pre-2019 years. If you ask us, this could be a good thing for the sport.
With no Quarterfinals on the horizon, every rep counts if you’re aiming for the top 1% or 2% in your division. The stakes are high, and while the next phase may not exist, the competition is as fierce as ever. You’re still going head-to-head with everyone else.
This isn’t about over-the-top motivational hype—it’s about focus. At WODprep, we believe your success hinges on one thing: fine-tuning your mechanics. Perfecting the basics, mastering efficiency, and honing your movement standards are what separate the top athletes from the rest.
So, with the season on the horizon: this is your chance to push yourself, refine your skills, and see where you stand.
Are you ready to make every rep count?
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But first, here’s a breakdown of the updates and how they might impact athletes, teams, and the broader CrossFit® community.
Key Dates for the 2025 CrossFit® Season
Open Registration: Starts January 15, slightly later than previous years.
Open Workouts:
- 25.1: Released February 27, due March 3.
- 25.2: Released March 6, due March 10.
- 25.3: Released March 13, due March 17.
- Affiliate Semifinals: May 1–4, for the top 1% of individual athletes.
Major Changes for 2025
1. No More Quarterfinals
CrossFit® has eliminated quarterfinals across all divisions. Instead, the top 1% of athletes worldwide will advance directly to affiliate semifinals, conducted online.
- Individual Semifinals: Approximately 1,600 men and 1,300 women will qualify.
- Teams: Affiliates can register multiple teams for the Open, but only one team per affiliate can qualify for the CrossFit® Games.
- Affiliate Semifinals: All qualifying teams will compete in online semifinals, with the top 20 teams advancing to the Games.
2. In-Person Events for Individuals
In-person competitions will return, reminiscent of past sanctionals. These events will act as an additional qualification pathway, though specific numbers on how many athletes advance are yet to be confirmed.
It sucks that we’ve lost the big stage at the Semi-finals, but if this gives well-run, major competitions the chance to lead the way in hosting exciting and entertaining events for the CrossFit® community with their own cultural take on the typical “CrossFit HQ”-run event, it could be a positive shift.
3. Masters and Age Groups: Minimal Changes
While age group athletes will see fewer participants advancing, the competition structure remains largely unchanged for Masters and Teens. The age group structure has shifted back to the Age Group Online Qualifier (AGOQ) format, with no quarterfinals.
Key updates include:
- Qualification: Top 2% from each division, with a minimum of 200 athletes advancing.
- Masters & Teens: Similar to previous years, the top athletes will progress to the Legends Masters CrossFit® Games or Teen Pit Throwdown.
- The Masters Fitness Championship will feature a new Pairs competition, adding a fresh angle to the season.
- Rumors suggest the Teen Pit Throwdown may integrate with the Masters Games weekend.
If you’re in the top 2%, here’s how it breaks down by the number of athletes:
Top 2% (at least 200 athletes)
- 35-39 Male: ~700
- 35-39 Female: ~500
- 40-44 Male: ~500
- 40-44 Female: ~400
- 45-49 Male: ~300
- 45-49 Female: ~220
For Masters athletes eyeing a spot at Semifinals, you’re among a select group—just 2,900 globally. But what about everyone else? For most, the Open is about community, participation, and showing up for the challenge.
Yet, for those aiming to advance, the stakes are higher than ever.
The Numbers Game: Why the Open Matters More Than Ever
The structure has shifted significantly this year:
- Last year: The top 25% of athletes advanced.
- This year: Only the top 2% move forward.
- For Masters athletes: We’re back to the 2018–2019 model, where only the top 200 advance beyond the Open.
This change raises the bar for everyone. The Open is no longer just a test of participation—it’s a proving ground for those aiming to progress.
Even high-performing athletes in the 90–95% range face a pivotal moment where every rep, every point, and every second could determine their future in the competition.
Why Does This Matter?
For Masters athletes aiming for Semifinals, this shift underscores the importance of strategy, preparation, and execution. The Open is now a critical juncture, and the margin for error is razor-thin. It’s about more than just competing—it’s about competing smartly.
For the rest of the community, the Open continues to be a celebration of effort, camaraderie, and the shared experience of testing your limits. Whether you’re pushing for advancement or showing up for the joy of it, this year’s Open carries a significance that resonates across all levels of the CrossFit® community.
So, as the Open approaches, ask yourself:
What’s your goal, and how will you make it count?
4. Community Cup for Non-Qualifiers
For athletes not making the cut for semifinals, the new Community Cup offers a chance to compete based on skill levels. This competition, held in June, aims to keep more athletes engaged in the sport. We’ll speak more about this at a later date. Stay tuned for more.
5. New and Updated Judging System
CrossFit® is implementing a more robust judging system.
Here’s what’s new:
- Judges must hold an active L1 certification and complete both the standard and new advanced judges' courses (valid for three years).
- Public transparency: All workout videos will be available for review by anyone who has completed the judges’ course.
CrossFit®’s updated judging system marks a significant leap toward fairness, consistency, and professionalism at every level of competition. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the impact this change will have.
By requiring judges to hold an active L1 certification and complete both the standard and advanced judging courses, CrossFit® is raising the bar on movement standards and athlete safety.
This move doesn’t just enhance the credibility of the judging process—it levels the playing field for athletes, especially during the Open and online qualifiers.
The addition of public video reviews, accessible to anyone who completes the judges’ course, adds an unprecedented layer of transparency. After last year’s dumbbell box step-up controversy, let’s be honest—this overhaul was overdue.
While smaller affiliates might find the new requirements a bit challenging, these changes emphasize the vital role judges play in keeping the sport fair, safe, and evolving. It’s a necessary shift to ensure CrossFit® continues to grow stronger as a sport and a community.
How You Should Take On the 2025 CrossFit® Season
At WODprep, we’re here to help athletes at every level not just survive but thrive in CrossFit®’s ever-adapting, ever-varying sport. The 2025 season brings some major shifts—no Quarterfinals, in-affiliate Semifinals, and tougher judging standards. But these changes aren’t roadblocks; they’re opportunities to level up.
Here’s how you can take on the season with focus, strategy, and ferocity.
The Open: Your Championship Round
With no Quarterfinals to rely on, your entire season revolves around the Open. Those three weeks, those three workouts—that’s what your training has been building toward. Whether you’re competing against the leaderboard, your gym buddies, or yourself, this is the time to step up.
Treat the Open like the championship it is. Every rep counts, so it’s crucial to:
- Dial in your technique: Movement standards are non-negotiable. Every squat, pull-up, and lift needs to pass the toughest judge’s scrutiny.
- Manage your pacing: A well-paced workout beats raw intensity every time.
- Fine-tune your mechanics: Start practicing now, under pressure and with precision, to move like the top 1%.
Predicting the Workouts
While we can’t see the future, history often repeats itself.
Here are the top 10 movements that frequently show up in the Open:
- Thrusters
- Chest-to-bar pull-ups
- Dumbbell snatches
- Clean and jerks (barbell)
- Rowing
- Wall balls
- Toes-to-bar
- Handstand push-ups
- Double-unders
- Deadlifts
Expect familiar patterns:
- A two-part workout designed to split the pack, often pairing high-skill gymnastics with a heavy barbell.
- Workouts that reward efficiency, strength, and smart strategy.
This structure ensures the right athletes progress through the season and, ultimately, to the CrossFit® Games.
The Mental Edge
Your mindset is your secret weapon. Visualize the process, simulate Open-style workouts, and practice executing with judges watching. Build confidence by turning stress into focus. The athletes who succeed aren’t just physically prepared—they’re mentally locked in.
Fall apart in a workout? Read more about mental toughness here.
The Bottom Line
Love it or hate it, the 2025 CrossFit® season remains the pinnacle of competitive functional fitness. While the latest changes might feel divisive to some, they mark a clear effort to push the sport forward with enhanced judging standards and greater transparency.
At the end of the day, this season is about leveling up. Whether you’re chasing a podium spot or aiming to crush last year’s performance, the goal is the same: show up, give it everything you’ve got, and be proud of the athlete you’re becoming.
At WODprep, we’re here to help you train smarter, move better, and compete with confidence. Let’s make this season your best yet.
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