😤 The 2026 CrossFit Open Starts... Now!

February 26th, 2026

POWERED BY

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • 📊 The 2026 CrossFit Open starts today, and registration is tracking ahead of last year, but still short of 2025’s total. Here’s what the numbers are telling us.

  • 👟 Thinking about your first HYROX? Here are five lessons — from tossing the race plan to finding the right shoes — that every first-timer should know.

  • 💪 Aimee Cringle’s 2026 CrossFit season begins with a live 26.2 Open announcement showdown.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
❝

I have competed in front of big crowds a lot now…but doing an Open announcement is different…I’m just very grateful for the opportunity.”

Aimee Cringle, two-time CrossFit Games qualifier.
CROSSFIT GAMES

The 2026 CrossFit Open Begins Today: A Look at Registration

Credit: Victor Freitas

Today marks the start of the 2026 CrossFit Open, the 16th edition of the worldwide event since its inception in 2011. 

Later today, the first of three workouts will be announced from Moffett Federal Airfield in Santa Clara County, CA. Immediately afterward, Jayson Hopper, Dallin Pepper, Austin Hatfield, and Colten Mertens will be the first to take it on live. 

  • Four weeks ago, we analyzed the Open registration numbers using Mike Halpin's data from Known & Knowable. We compared 2026 numbers with those from previous years and made some predictions about overall participation.

He’s continued to track leading up to today, and while registration remains open until the very end of the Open on March 16, let’s take a look at what we’re seeing so far.

A New Era for the Sport

For years, Wodapalooza has been where the sport shows up at full volume.

Now, Gymreapers is stepping in as the title partner of WZA, marking a new era built on performance, presence, and respect for the athletes who define this stage.

Get your tickets today — March 12th—15th

We'll see you in Miami.

*This newsletter relies on our sponsors. Please consider supporting them.

SPEED READS

🚨🚨 The CrossFit Open is Coming: The 2026 CrossFit Open starts today, so get signed up now!

🏃‍♂️👟 Adidas Drops the Adizero Dropset Elite: Adidas just unveiled its first true hybrid fitness racing shoe — the Adizero Dropset Elite — blending elite sprint-focused racing tech with functional-strength stability in one design to eliminate the old trade-off between speed and support.

💸📈 Millennials Are Splurging on Recovery and Wellness Tech: According to a new consumer trend report, younger adults are increasingly investing in recovery gear, smart fitness tech, and wellness tools for use at home — signaling a shift toward prioritizing rest, performance support, and self-care tech alongside workouts rather than just logging training hours.

💪🔁 The “One-and-Done” CrossFit Open Philosophy: CrossFit’s senior content writer, Stephane Rochet argues that the Open isn’t just about ticking off workouts — it’s about embracing each test as an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine your training rather than treating it as a pass/fail checkbox, encouraging athletes of all levels to focus on process and progress over performance perfection.

ICYMI:  Pat Vellner to retire after 2026 CrossFit Games season. (Rx article)

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Training for Your First HYROX? 5 Things You Need to Know

Courtesy of Emily Beers

I have never loved running. By that, I mean, as a CrossFit athlete, it has always been my kryptonite. And so, for a long time, about HYROX, I thought, “No chance.”

  • But last summer, my sister-in-law convinced me it was a good idea. Next thing you know, my husband and I were registered for the Mixed Doubles at HYROX Las Vegas. 

And now, as I sit here the day after the race — hips tight, quads protesting every step, lower back aching — it’s a vivid reminder that sometimes you just need to say yes when a big part of you really wants to say no.

If you’re training for your first race, here are five things you should know.

PROFILE

Aimee Cringle Steps Into the Spotlight for 26.2 — and a Big 2026 Season

Credit: World Fitness Project

As Aimee Cringle prepares to take on her ninth CrossFit Open and make a push for her third Games appearance this year, she is also getting ready for a new experience – she’ll be one of three women to tackle the CrossFit Open workout 26.2 during the live announcement. 

Remind me: Cringle made her debut at the CrossFit Games in 2024, finishing 13th in her rookie year. 

  • In 2025, she climbed the Games leaderboard, finishing 8th. 

Also, in case you missed it, she took second place overall in the World Fitness Project’s inaugural season and holds a coveted spot on the R.A.D. athlete roster. 

2026 CrossFit Open

As her season officially starts today, she was candid about what she’s been doing to prepare for the Open, first and foremost.

  • “I’ve been building things back up, but I’ve had an ongoing wrist niggle, so it’s been a case of doing what I can whilst offloading it a bit and letting inflammation go down. The Open is always a slightly different style of prep anyway, a lot of mixed modal, repeatability, and being ready for all the fitness,” Cringle told Morning Chalk Up.

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating a PR, hosting a fundraiser, this, that, or otherwise? Send us a tip.