Defined Intramurals & the 2026 CrossFit Open: What to Know
Everything you need to know about Defined Intramurals and the 2026 CrossFit Open.
By
February 4, 2026
The CrossFit Open is an annual event that brings together fitness enthusiasts from around the world to test their limits, showcase their skills, and connect with a vibrant community. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a newcomer to CrossFit, the Open offers a unique opportunity to challenge yourself and see how you stack up against others globally.
At Defined, we see the CrossFit Open as an opportunity to strengthen the connections in our own community and cheer each other on in a fun, supportive environment. We call it Defined Intramurals and throw down together at either “Sunday Service” or “Friday Night Lights.”
This year’s schedule:
We’ll dive into more details and answer any questions you might have below, but first: Our coaches made this video last year sharing what they love most about the Open. Watch below!
What exactly is the CrossFit Open, and why do so many people participate? What do you need to know to participate in Defined Intramurals? We’ve got the answers — let’s dive in.
The CrossFit Open is a three-week competition that typically takes place in February and March. Each week, a new workout is released, and participants have a few days to complete it and submit their scores online. These workouts are designed to be accessible to athletes of all levels, with scaled options available for those who may not be able to perform the prescribed movements or weights.
The Open serves as the first stage in the qualification process for the CrossFit Games, the sport's premier event. Top athletes from the Open advance to the next stage, which includes regional competitions and, ultimately, the Games. However, for most participants, the Open is less about qualifying for the Games and more about personal growth and community engagement.
Defined Intramurals are how we participate in the CrossFit Open as a community. Over the course of three weeks, we throw down at either “Sunday Service” or “Friday Night Lights” in our space — with plenty of fun and festivities throughout. Athletes who sign up for Defined Intramurals select a heat each week to give it their all in whatever CrossFit HQ has cooked up for us, with peers and coaches judging one another to ensure we meet proper movement standards and hold each other accountable.
Register by Friday, February 20. The cost is $25 and includes a shirt.
You can also register up to the day of our first event (Sunday, March 1), but you’ll miss out on your awesome shirt (and who wants that!?).
Nope! Defined Intramurals is our own, special thing. It’s our way of participating in the CrossFit Open as a gym — no registration with CrossFit HQ required.
You should only register for the CrossFit Open if you are hoping to qualify for Semifinals (and ultimately, the CrossFit Games) or if you’ve got buddies at other boxes around the world and you’d like to see how you stack up on the Leaderboard. Some people just like to register for the CrossFit Open so they can officially record their scores alongside thousands of other athletes around the world. But that’s not necessary to take part in all the fun of Defined Intramurals.
We’re making it super simple this year — use SugarWOD to log your score each week.
Of course! You can choose your workout level/division weekly: Rx, Scaled, or Just for Fun. This can change from week to week.
No problem. You can complete your workout anytime between Thursday-Monday with a peer judge. Even if you can only attend one or two of our three dates, it’s well worth it!
The CrossFit Open is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of fitness, community, and personal growth. Whether you're aiming to qualify for the CrossFit Games or simply looking to challenge yourself and connect with others, the Open offers something for everyone. So, if you haven't participated in the Open yet, consider giving it a try. You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
What are you waiting for? Register for Defined Intramurals by February 20!
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