January 29, 2026 //
Charlotte Scott //
Fitness //
5 min read
Every year, the CrossFit Open rolls around and reminds us why we train the way we do. Not just for fitness, not just for numbers on a barbell, but for shared challenge, community, and those moments where you surprise yourself by doing something you didn’t think you could.
Registration for the CrossFit Open is now open(click here to register), and at CrossFit Structure, that means the countdown has officially begun. Team leaders have been selected, drafts are already happening, and the gym is about to take on a very different energy over the next few weeks.
If you’ve never taken part before, this is the year to do it.
What is the CrossFit Open?
The CrossFit Open is a worldwide event that runs over three weeks starting on Feburary 26th. Each week, one workout is released on Thursday evening (UK time), and you have until the following Monday to complete it. You can do the workout in class, during Open gym, or at Friday Night Lights — and every workout is fully scalable, just like our regular programming.
For those who register officially, scores are submitted online and appear on the global leaderboard. You can see how you compare by age group, division, and location, but the real value isn’t the ranking. It’s the benchmark. The Open gives you a clear snapshot of where you’re at right now, and something meaningful to look back on in years to come.
Who is it really for?
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Open is that it’s only for the “fit people.” In reality, it’s designed for everyone. First Open or tenth Open, RX or scaled, nervous or confident — it doesn’t matter. What matters is taking part.
At CrossFit Structure, every Open workout is coached, scaled, and supported. You’re never expected to perform beyond your ability, and you’re never doing it alone. The Open isn’t about beating the person next to you; it’s about stepping onto the floor and seeing what happens when you commit.
Intramurals at CrossFit Structure
To make the Open even more fun (and a little more competitive), we run our in-house Intramural Competition alongside it. This year, the gym has been split into three teams: Fireball, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner, and Collectively Loaded.
Stacey returns as the defending champion, leading Team Fireball. With experience on her side and a clear understanding of what it takes to win over three demanding weeks, she’ll be looking to guide Fireball to a back-to-back title. Calm under pressure and relentless when it counts, she sets the standard for her team from day one.
Becs captains Team Collectively Loaded, arriving as the challenger with nothing to defend and everything to prove. Strong, consistent, and quietly competitive, she brings a steady confidence that makes this team one to watch. Don’t mistake composure for complacency — Collectively Loaded are very much in this fight.
Rounding out the field is Coach Keaton, stepping out from behind the whiteboard to lead Team Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. With a coach’s eye for strategy, pacing, and motivation. When a coach gets personally invested, things tend to get interesting — and possibly a little spicy.
Together, these three leaders set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive, high-energy CrossFit Open at CrossFit Structure.
Each team has its own personality, its own energy, and its own way of showing up — but all three are chasing the same thing: points, pride, and bragging rights.
How points are earned
Points are awarded for far more than just performance. Simply registering for the CrossFit Open earns your team a big chunk of points, and completing the workout each week — in any version — adds more. Showing up to Friday Night Lights matters too, because being present for your team counts.
Here’s the full breakdown on how scoring works this year:
Register for the CrossFit Open – 20 points
Complete the Open workout (any version) – 10 points
Attend Friday Night Lights – 5 points
Top 3 Male Finishers – 5 points each
Top 3 Female Finishers – 5 points each
Spirit of the Week – 20 points per team
Personal Win of the Week – 10 points
👉 Personal Wins are chosen by the coaching team and could include:
Massive effort
Courage (doing something that scared you)
A new PB
A comeback story
Simply refusing to quit
Friday Night Lights
If there’s one thing not to miss during the Open, it’s Friday Night Lights.
This is when the gym comes alive. The Open workout is run in heats, teammates line the floor to cheer, and the atmosphere shifts from “training session” to something closer to a sporting event. Even if you’re not working out that night, being there to support your team makes a difference — and yes, it earns points too.
Friday Night Lights is where friendships deepen, confidence grows, and people realise they’re capable of far more than they thought.
Why you should take part
The Open has a funny way of changing how people see themselves. Members who never thought they’d sign up end up counting down the days. Movements that once felt impossible suddenly happen. People who were nervous to be seen trying become the loudest supporters for others.
That’s the magic of it.
If you’re on the fence, this is your nudge. Register for the Open, add your name to the whiteboard, and let your team pull you in. Whether you’re on Fireball, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner, or Collectively Loaded, these three weeks are about showing up, leaning into the challenge, and enjoying one of the best parts of the CrossFit year.
