Online Qualifier · 2027 Season · October 1–28, 2026
Coastal
Qualifier
Four weeks. Five scores. One shot at the floor in Charleston. Join your gym for a month of competition that earns your spot at Fittest of the Coast.
The Format
What is the Coastal Qualifier?
The Coastal Qualifier is a one-of-a-kind online qualifier for Fittest of the Coast — unlike any online qualifier you’ve been a part of, bringing unmatched excitement to your gym for four weeks.
You’ll complete five workouts over four weeks — one of those weeks features two scores. Each week, the FOTC team releases a workout on Thursday night, and participating athletes have until Wednesday night the following week to complete it and submit a score.
Workouts are released via a live stream on YouTube from a host gym — part workout drop, part party.
Mark Your Calendar
When is the Coastal Qualifier?
The qualifier runs October 1 – 28, 2026. Workouts release each Thursday at 7:00 pm ET; scores are due the following Wednesday at 9:00 pm ET. Registration opens August 1, 2026.
Eligibility
Who can compete?
Anyone can compete in the Coastal Qualifier.
Any athlete from any gym can participate in the Fittest of the Coast competition season — and the Coastal Qualifier is the only way to earn and guarantee a spot at the Championship.
The Test
Workouts & what’s at stake
Qualifier workouts are programmed to test capacity — expect something very similar to the CrossFit Open. At the Championship, loading and skills ramp up by division.
Individual and team workouts are the same during the qualifier. Team scores are the combined total of both partners’ scores — e.g., if the workout is Fran and Athlete A finishes in 3:00 and Athlete B in 2:30, the team score is 5:30. Athletes competing in both individual and team only have to do one workout each week.
Earn your spot and you’ll compete at Fittest of the Coast, January 15–17, 2027 at the Charleston Convention Center in Charleston, SC.
Equipment You’ll Need
Find Your Field
Coastal Qualifier divisions
Register to compete as an individual and as a two-person team — you only do one workout each week regardless. 2026–27 season divisions shown below.
Not every division completes the same workout. Programming is tailored by division so each field gets a test that’s appropriate for its skill and experience level — so the workout you see may differ from another division’s.
Spots available and movement & load standards for each division will be posted closer to the season — check back soon. A backfill process fills any unclaimed spots.
Individual Divisions
Novice+
For the athlete who may be new to the sport or has only a few years of CrossFit experience and often needs to scale movements. Expect a modified version of workouts. No age restrictions.
To qualify in Novice Individual, register for the Novice Individual division in the Coastal Qualifier.
Intermediate+
For the athlete with a few holes in their game such as gymnastics capacity or top-end strength. Expected to have performed previous CrossFit Open workouts as prescribed. No age restrictions.
To qualify in Intermediate Individual, register for the Intermediate Individual division in the Coastal Qualifier.
RX+
For top individual athletes who perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales — among the firebreathers in their gym. No age restrictions.
To qualify in RX Individual, register for the PRO/RX Individual division in the Coastal Qualifier.
PRO+
For top individual athletes with aspirations of competing — or who have competed — at or above a semifinals level. No age restrictions.
To qualify in PRO Individual, register for the PRO/RX Individual division in the Coastal Qualifier.
35–39+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 35 years of age but not older than 39 years of age as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 35–39 Individual division.
40–44+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 40 but not older than 44 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 40–44 Individual division.
45–49+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 45 but not older than 49 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 45–49 Individual division.
50–54+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 50 but not older than 54 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 50–54 Individual division.
55–59+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 55 but not older than 59 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 55–59 Individual division.
60–64+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 60 but not older than 64 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 60–64 Individual division.
65++
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 65 years of age or older as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 65+ Individual division.
Teen 13–15+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must not be older than 15 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027) (may be younger than 13).
To qualify, register for the Teen 13–15 Individual division.
Teen 16–18+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales.
Requirement: Athletes must be 16 but not older than 18 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the Teen 16–18 Individual division.
Team (Pairs) Divisions
Novice (M/M, F/F, M/F)+
For athletes new to the sport or who often scale movements. Expect a novice version of workouts. No age restrictions. Partners do NOT have to complete the workouts together.
To qualify, register for the Novice Team division.
Intermediate (M/M, F/F, M/F)+
For competitive athletes with only a few holes in their game; expected to have done Open workouts as prescribed. No age restrictions. Partners do NOT have to complete the workouts together.
To qualify, register for the Intermediate Team division.
RX (M/M, F/F, M/F)+
For top athletes who perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales — among the firebreathers in their gym. No age restrictions. Partners do NOT have to complete the workouts together.
To qualify, register for the PRO/RX Team division.
PRO (M/M, F/F, M/F)+
For athletes who have aspirations of competing — or who have competed — at or above a semifinals level. No age restrictions. Partners do NOT have to complete the workouts together.
To qualify, register for the PRO/RX Team division.
35+ (M/M, F/F, M/F)+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales. Partners do NOT have to complete the workouts together.
Requirement: Both athletes must be at least 35 as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 35+ Team division.
45+ (M/M, F/F, M/F)+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales. Partners do NOT have to complete the workouts together.
Requirement: Athletes must be 45 or older as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 45+ Team division.
55+ (M/M, F/F)+
Expected to perform Open workouts as prescribed with no scales. Partners do NOT have to complete the workouts together.
Requirement: Athletes must be 55 or older as of the 2027 Championship (Jan 15, 2027).
To qualify, register for the 55+ Team division.
The Experience
Live release parties
The hallmark of the Coastal Qualifier: weekly live release parties where the FOTC team travels to a host location and puts on a live release show and party.
Each show features a live-streamed intro followed by the workout announcement, broadcast live on YouTube. Part competition, part community — it’s the heartbeat of the qualifier.
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions
Don’t see your answer? The season rulebook covers almost everything about the season.
Do I need to record my workouts?+
You’re not required to record to submit a score. However, every athlete who earns a qualifying spot must be prepared to submit at least one workout video at the end of the qualifier — FOTC will email video requests to qualifiers. Simple rule: if you’re planning on qualifying, record your videos.
Do I need a judge?+
Judges aren’t required but are encouraged. Athletes without a judge must record and submit a video. Judges don’t need an online certification but must follow the standards outlined by FOTC for each workout.
Will I receive a scoresheet?+
Yes. Each week we’ll email you a scoresheet and also post scoresheet links on our website.
Where do I submit my scores?+
On Competition Corner. The process is simple — just make sure you’re logged in to your Competition Corner profile when you submit.
Is the leaderboard blind?+
Yes. Each week the leaderboard is blind — submitted scores won’t show until a set day and time. Updated scores populate by noon on Thursday, and the FOTC team reviews and fixes any entry errors.
Can I compete on a team and as an individual?+
Yes! Register twice — once as an individual and once on a team.
Can I register for multiple divisions (e.g., an age group and an open division)?+
Yes! You’ll need to use a separate email address for each different division.
If I qualify on a team and as an individual, can I do both at the Championship?+
Yes — the schedule allows it. Individuals compete Friday into Saturday afternoon; teams compete Saturday afternoon into Sunday.
I’ll be 34 during the qualifier but turn 35 before the Championship — which age division?+
Your competition age is your age as of the Championship date. If you turn 35 before the Championship, you can compete in the 35–39 age-group division.
What are qualifier workouts like?+
They’re programmed to test capacity — very similar to the CrossFit Open. At the Championship, loading and skills increase by division.
Are team and individual workouts the same in the qualifier?+
Yes. Team scores are the combined total of both partners’ scores (e.g., Fran at 3:00 + 2:30 = 5:30). This keeps the qualifier simple and lets athletes do both team and individual without extra workouts each week.
Are there cash prizes?+
Yes — a minimum cash prize purse of $22,000 for the competition season.
If I qualify, how many events can I expect at the Championship?+
Teams and individuals who earn a spot will see a minimum of five scores.
Are you ready?
Ride the wave
Registration opens August 1, 2026. Lock in your division and earn your spot on the floor in Charleston.