Did CrossFit make a calculation error in the 2026 prize pot?

The size of the prize pot for the CrossFit Games has been tied to the number of registrations for the CrossFit Open over the past two years. The more athletes sign up, the larger the total prize money becomes. This system is described in Appendix G of the official rulebook.

In the 2026 version of the rulebook, however, CrossFit appears to have used an incorrect hypothetical registration number as the basis for the calculation. That is the finding of The Barbell Spin, which took a close look at the figures in the rulebook.

If the error is confirmed, it could mean that the calculated prize money does not match what athletes would be entitled to expect based on actual registration numbers. CrossFit has not yet commented on the matter.

For Dutch and Belgian CrossFitters who use the Open as a starting point on the road to the Games, this is relevant. The size of the prize pot affects the appeal of the competitive season for (semi-)professional athletes.