A recent report from Morning Chalk Up highlights a sharp decline in CrossFit Open participation, raising concerns about the sport’s future engagement.
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CrossFit Open Registration Sees Steep Drop
The 2025 CrossFit Open is off to a slow start, with registration numbers down 40% compared to the same period last year.
This marks the largest year-over-year decline in Open history, a stark contrast to the steady growth seen in recent years. The dip comes at a pivotal time, as CrossFit leadership faces mounting challenges, including structural changes, affiliate concerns, and the aftermath of a tragic incident at the 2024 CrossFit Games.
With just over a month left before the first Open workout, the sharp decline in participation raises questions about the community’s confidence in the sport’s direction.
A Look Back: Registration Trends Over the Years
The CrossFit Open has long served as a barometer for the sport’s overall growth and engagement.
After a steep drop in 2020, participation rebounded steadily, averaging nearly 10% annual growth from 2021 to 2023. In 2024, growth slowed slightly to 6.34%, bringing the total to 343,496 registered athletes—the highest number since 2019.
However, 2025 is shaping up to be a major setback, with sign-ups lagging far behind previous years.
| Year | Attendance | % Change YoY |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 357,000 | -14.18% |
| 2020 | 239,106 | -33.02% |
| 2021 | 263,529 | +10.21% |
| 2022 | 293,805 | +11.49% |
| 2023 | 323,014 | +9.94% |
| 2024 | 343,496 | +6.34% |
| 2025 | TBD | -40% (Projected) |
Why Are Athletes Opting Out?
Several factors may be contributing to the unexpected decline in Open registration:
- Safety Concerns: The sudden passing of elite athlete Lazar Ðukić during the 2024 CrossFit Games raised concerns about athlete safety, training demands, and medical preparedness.
- Structural Changes & Uncertainty: A major overhaul of the season format, ongoing leadership shifts, and changes in affiliate fees may be discouraging participation.
- Increased Registration Fees: This year, Open registration fees are directly tied to funding the CrossFit Games prize purse, a controversial move that may be pushing away casual participants.
- Athlete Discontent: A recent survey revealed that 25% of the top 200 CrossFit athletes are opting out of the 2025 season entirely, citing concerns about the sport’s direction.
Breaking Down 2025’s Registration Numbers
So far, the 2025 Open is averaging 2,300 new registrations per day—a significant drop from the 3,600 daily sign-ups seen in 2024.
On Day 1 of registration, only 8,904 athletes signed up, compared to 20,982 last year.
As of now, the total prize purse sits at $340,420, funded by Open registration fees and distributed across various divisions:
| Division | Prize Money Allocated |
|---|---|
| Games – Individual | $166,805.80 |
| Games – Teams | $34,042.00 |
| Open – Individual | $17,021.00 |
| Open – Affiliate | $68,084.00 |
| Masters Games | $34,042.00 |
| Adaptive Games | $10,212.60 |
| Online Semifinal | $10,212.60 |
What’s Next?
With 34 days left before the Open officially begins, there is still time for registration numbers to improve.
However, the current trend suggests that the 2025 CrossFit Open may struggle to regain momentum. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this is a temporary slump or a sign of deeper challenges within the CrossFit community.
Weekly updates on registration data will continue, tracking whether numbers rebound—or if this signals a turning point for the sport’s future.
