Less than 24 hours before the kickoff of the 2023 CrossFit Games in Madison, WI, the conversation has already shifted to the location of the 2024 Games.
On July 31, 2023, CrossFit’s General Manager of Sport Dave Castro posted a video on his YouTube channel while standing in the Coliseum in Madison. Near the 5:15 mark of the video, he announced that the 2024 CrossFit Games will be held in a different location for the first time since 2017.
“It [Madison] was our first home outside of California and it’s been a significant location for the overall development of the sport, for the direction we’ve wanted to take it. We’ve had a lot of learning … tons of memories here. We’re always going to be grateful to Madison for hosting us. Can’t wait to do things a little differently in the future and try mixing it up.”
WMTV-NBC 15 of Madison confirmed the report thanks to the verification of Destination Madison Director of Communications and Public Affairs Rob Gard. This development will mark the end of the Games being held in Madison for six of the past seven years, beginning in 2017. The only exception was in 2020 when the Games relocated to its inaugural location, Aromas, CA, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the Games being held in Madison, its home for seven years was Carson, CA.
This move is a pivot from a January 2023 announcement when CrossFit said that Madison would be the following year’s host city, calling it an “ideal” location. There appears to be no friction or grievance on CrossFit’s end with Madison as a city, but CrossFit did share a statement, highlighting a desire to increase awareness and bring more eyes directly to the competitions, possibly outside of the United States.
“Our goal is to bring the Games to more regions around the world. We’ve had an incredible run in Madison, and we’re so grateful to the city and local community.”
As of this writing, no location for the 2024 CrossFit Games has been announced. The 2023 Games will take place Aug. 1-6 in Madison. Justin Medeiros is looking to win a third straight championship, while a new Fittest Woman on Earth is guaranteed following the withdrawal of six-time champion, and new mother, Tia-Clair Toomey. Breaking Muscle will share updates and results from the 2023 CrossFit Games as they occur.
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