CrossFit has tapped the Air National Guard as presenting sponsor of the 2026 CrossFit Open. The sides will also co-host events and activations
CrossFit has signed the Air National Guard (ANG) as the presenting sponsor of the 2026 CrossFit Open, marking the first time a non-apparel or footwear brand has taken the role. The partnership will span the entire Games season and includes co-hosted events and military-focused activations.
As part of the collaboration, CrossFit Seminar Staff will teach classes to more than 140 Airmen ahead of the Open. The participants will nominate three peers who embody “Excellence and Service Before Self” to appear in a live Open Announcement streamed worldwide.
The ANG will also back this November’s Service Games at CrossFit Mayhem. The event is limited to active-duty military, first responders, healthcare workers and government employees, with ANG representatives joining the opening ceremonies and hosting a Salute to Service.
Throughout 2026, CrossFit and the ANG will stage six community activations across the U.S., bringing together affiliate owners, trainers, athletes and ANG/ROTC members for workouts, educational sessions and community-building experiences.
“This marks the most integrated partnership CrossFit has ever done with a Military branch,” CrossFit vice president of global partnerships Greg Schwartz said. “Through our partnership, we’ll demonstrate to the world how CrossFit enables peak physical and mental readiness for all careers, especially for those who want to be the tip of the spear. The CrossFit community will gain exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content created with the Air National Guard, showcasing the lives and training of Airmen.”
Beyond the ANG partnership, the Department of the Air Force has introduced its new “Culture of Fitness” initiative this month. The program, designed to overhaul how Airmen and Guardians approach physical readiness, focuses on holistic well-being and resilience and is structured around four pillars: being physically and medically ready, encouraging a culture of unit-level conditioning, fueling performance through nutrition and modern dining options and measuring fitness with updated assessments that better reflect operational demands.
“Having a Culture of Fitness for the Department of the Air Force is more than just physical training,” Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said. “It is about making sure we enable Airmen and Guardians to be wholly resilient, healthy and ready to defend our nation.”
The Air Force is backing the initiative with tangible changes, including 24/7 access to fitness facilities at nearly all installations and expanded “Go for Green” dining modernization programs.
CrossFit’s move fits into a wider push where fitness and wellness brands are aligning with U.S. military readiness.
Earlier this year, Eleiko secured a five-year contract to lead the Navy’s Operational Fitness & Fueling System, delivering training in strength, conditioning and injury prevention, while wearable smart ring leader Oura is expanding manufacturing to Fort Worth, Texas, in support of the Department of Defense and its service members.
