The 2023 CrossFit Games season kicked off on Feb. 16, with the worldwide Open. For aspiring individual athletes and teams, the season begins with the Open and progresses to the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and ultimately the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games.
The top athletes and teams from the Open will continue on to the second stage of the season. But what exactly are the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games Quarterfinals? We’re going to break it down for you in this article.
What You Need to Know
The second round of competition on the road to the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games is the Quarterfinals. The top 10% of individuals, the top 10% of age-group athletes in each division, and the top 25% of teams per region from the Open will be invited to compete in the Quarterfinals. You can find the cutline tables on the Quarterfinals overview page.
This round of competition will be virtual, with tests released and scores submitted via the CrossFit Games website and/or app. The Quarterfinals are broken up into different competition windows depending on your division.
Each competition window will require specific scores to be submitted, and deadlines are final.
Sydney Michalyshen and Amanda Barnhart during the 2022 Individual Quarterfinal | Photo by Kieran Kesner
What to Expect
If you have qualified for the Quarterfinals, congratulations!
This stage will be a different experience than the Open. The bar has been raised, as the goal is to narrow the field down on the way to the Games. Weights will be heavier, movements will be more advanced, time caps will be tighter, the depth of video review will be greater, and the tests will be harder.
Individuals
Competition will run from March 16 through March 19. There are three score-submission windows that are 24 hours each. During each score-submission window, athletes must submit specific scores along with the corresponding videos. The registration fee is $50 USD.
Important Dates
- March 13: Registration opens
- March 13: Floor plans released
- March 16 at 12 p.m. PT: All tests released
24-Hour Competition Windows:
- Thursday, March 16, at 12 p.m. PT until Friday, March 17, at 12 p.m. PT.
- Friday, March 17, at 12 p.m. PT until Saturday, March 18, at 12 p.m. PT.
- Saturday, March 18, at 12 p.m. PT until Sunday, March 19, at 12 p.m. PT.
Teams
Competition will run from March 29 through March 30. Over the course of two competition windows, athletes will have 24 hours to complete the tests provided and submit scores along with the associated video. The registration fee is $100 USD.
Important Dates:
- March 20: Registration opens
- March 27: Floor plans released
- March 29 at 12 p.m. PT: All tests released
24-Hour Competition Windows:
- Wednesday, March 29, at 12 p.m. PT until Thursday, March 30, at 12 p.m. PT.
- Thursday, March 30, at 12 p.m. PT until Friday, March 31, at 12 p.m. PT.
Age Groups
Competition will run from March 31 through April 1. Over the course of two competition windows, athletes will have 24 hours to complete the tests provided and submit scores along with the associated video. Registration fee is $50 USD.
Important Dates:
- March 20th: Registration opens
- March 27: Floor plans released
- March 31 at 12pm PT: All tests released
24-Hour Competition Windows:
- Friday, March 31, at 12 p.m. PT until Saturday, April 1, at 12 p.m. PT.
- Saturday, April 1, at 12 p.m. PT until Sunday, April 2, at 12 p.m. PT
Multi-division Athletes
CrossFit athletes have incredible range. Every year, there are many athletes who qualify for the Quarterfinals in multiple divisions. These athletes are welcome to compete in all divisions they have qualified for during the Quarterfinals. Keep in mind that each division requires its own registration process, so multi-division athletes will need to watch their email for invitations to each specific competition.
For example, an athlete who is 37 years old and is in the top 10% of worldwide individual athletes, the top 10% for their age group, and who is part of a team that is in the top 25% could register and compete in the Individual, Age Group, and Team Quarterfinals.
CrossFit Oslo Navy Blue during the 2022 Team Quarterfinal | Photo by Achieved Media
Qualifying for Semifinals
The Quarterfinals are a qualifying round for the Semifinal round of competition. If you are an athlete with eyes set on Semifinals, recognize that you will be required to film your tests and have them ready for submission and verification. All advancing athletes for all divisions, or any athlete who submits a score that has an impact on advancing athletes, must submit all their videos for review.
Athletes can submit scores without video. However, video is required for athletes advancing to Semifinals or top performers in any single test. If a video is requested and the athlete cannot provide it they will be given a zero-score. In all instances, a registered judge (someone who has completed the 2023 Judges Course) must be used.
Why Should You Compete?
Although qualifying for the Quarterfinals is a huge accomplishment, that is just the beginning. All athletes who compete in the Open receive a level between 1-8 based on their finish on the leaderboard. Individual and Age-group quarterfinalists have the opportunity to increase their level to 9 or 10 (10 = highest) based on their finish on the Quarterfinals leaderboard.
Additionally, this year, the CrossFit Games introduced the worldwide ranking system (WWR). Only athletes who register for Individual Quarterfinals receive a WWR and are included in the WWR publication.The WWRs will determine the Strength of Field and distribution of qualifying positions at each of the seven Semifinal competitions. The WWRs will also offer athletes another comparison with their fellow competitors beyond placement in their last competition.
For more information on the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games Quarterfinals, please check the official CrossFit Games Rulebook and contact support@crossfitgames.com with any questions.
Cover photo by @nicoglenny_ph