CrossFit fans, rejoice: the iconic docuseries *Road to the Games* is officially back for the 2025 season, and its timing couldn’t be better.
After a two-year hiatus, the show returns with a new format, a deeper emotional lens, and a roster of athletes that bring both intensity and vulnerability to the forefront. But beyond the behind-the-scenes footage and gym-floor grit, this revival feels like something more — a healing moment for the sport itself.
Why the Return Matters
Last year’s CrossFit Games ended in tragedy with the drowning of athlete Lazar Đukić during an offsite event. Since then, CrossFit HQ has faced increasing scrutiny over safety protocols, competition standards, and athlete support.
Enter *Road to the Games*.
This isn’t just a marketing move. It’s a storytelling pivot — a chance to spotlight the humanity behind the “fittest on Earth” and rebuild the connection between the sport, its fans, and the athletes who live and breathe it.
What to Expect This Season
The 2025 season is already different:
- The field has shrunk — only 30 individual men and women plus 20 teams made the cut.
- The prize purse has dropped.
- Athlete participation in the Open and Quarterfinals declined, suggesting trust in the system may be weakening.
- And some athletes are speaking out more boldly than ever before about structural changes they want to see.
Amid all of this, *Road to the Games* feels like a bridge. It shows us the daily battles athletes face to get to the Games — not just with weights and workouts, but with injury, self-doubt, and pressure.
Featured Athletes to Watch
Some of the standout stories this year include:
- Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr – The GOAT may be competing in her final Games. She’s balancing motherhood, legacy, and the grind of elite competition.
- Roman Khrennikov – Back from injury, hungry for redemption, and more focused than ever.
- Lucy McGonigle – The teen prodigy steps into the elite division with a shot at shocking the field.
- Isaac Newman – A rookie making waves with a Cinderella climb through Semifinals.
The show doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff — burnout, mental health, financial strain, and performance pressure all take center stage.
The Global Side of the Sport
This year’s filming locations spanned multiple countries, showcasing CrossFit’s international growth. You’ll get glimpses of garage gyms in New Zealand, training camps in Iceland, and regional comps in Spain. It’s raw, diverse, and reminds us that elite CrossFit is no longer just an American story.
A Smart Play by CrossFit HQ
Let’s be honest — CrossFit needed a win this season. With controversy over trans athlete policies, safety concerns, and athlete dissatisfaction simmering in the background, *Road to the Games* is more than content. It’s strategy.
By letting athletes tell their own stories, CrossFit shifts the conversation from critique to connection. From metrics to meaning.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever struggled to explain to someone why you love this sport, this series might be the answer.
*Road to the Games* captures what numbers can’t. The fire. The fragility. The drive that makes this community more than a fitness fad — it makes it a movement.
And with the 2025 CrossFit Games just around the corner (August 1–3 in Albany, NY), there’s never been a better time to tune in.
🎥 Catch episodes now on YouTube and games.crossfit.com. New episodes drop weekly leading up to the Games.