2026 Season National Championship Dates & Qualification Pathways
National Championship Dates, Qualification Pathways, and Ways to Get Involved
We are excited to officially launch the framework for the 2026 season.
This year marks an important step forward as we formally rebrand back to CF3 to align with International Functional Fitness Federation standards and structure. The rebrand reflects more than a name change. It represents our continued commitment to governance alignment, long term athlete development, and building a sustainable national system that meets Sport Canada requirements.
Alongside this shift, we are transitioning toward a project driven leadership model that opens the door for more community members to contribute to the growth of Functional Fitness in Canada.
If you want to help shape the future of the sport, 2026 is your opportunity.
Save the Date
2026 CF3 National Championships: August 14 to 16, 2026
To maintain accessibility and reduce travel costs for athletes, we will continue our decentralized hosting model.
For 2026, we are targeting:
East Region (Ontario / Quebec)
Central Region (Alberta)
West Region (British Columbia)
Priority goal: add an Alberta based host
This approach allows more athletes to compete nationally without excessive financial burden while we continue pursuing long term funding solutions.
2026 Qualification Pathways
For the 2026 season, we are introducing a multi path qualification model. Our goal is to support and elevate existing Functional Fitness competitions across Canada rather than duplicating them.
1. 2026 CrossFit Open
Top Canadian athletes who advance to the Semifinal stage of the CrossFit Open will receive an automatic invitation to CF3 Nationals.
2. Quebec Provincial Championships
The top 5 athletes in each division at the Quebec Provincial Championships will be invited to CF3 Nationals (Quebec athletes only).
3. Podium Finishers at Established Competitions
Top Canadian finishers at high quality Functional Fitness events may qualify. To be considered as a CF3 qualifying event, competitions must:
Not be in their first year
Not be an in house only competition
Include at least 50 percent participation from outside gyms
Offer an Rx or Competitive division
Maintain a strong reputation for safety and event quality
If you run an event that meets these standards, submit it to our Events page (or contact us) as soon as possible so we can assess it for qualification status.
4. CF3 Last Chance Online Qualifier
Scheduled for June 2026 (final dates to be announced). This will provide one final opportunity for Canadian athletes to qualify.
Note: Quebec athletes are not eligible for this pathway due to existing provincial qualification alignment.
National Championship Hosting Opportunities
Until we secure federal funding to assist with athlete travel, we will continue building on last year’s successful multi location format. We are actively seeking facilities and organizations interested in hosting a CF3 National Championship site in 2026.
If you have:
A competition ready facility
Event organization experience
Capacity for regional scale competition
Contact us now and save the August 14 to 16 dates. Full hosting requirements will be published shortly.
Join the CF3 Project Committees
As part of our governance evolution, we are moving away from a board heavy structure and toward a project based committee model. These roles are:
High impact
Low barrier
Approximately 2 to 4 hours per month
We are currently prioritizing recruitment for:
Domestic Development
Supports national growth through social media, content creation, advertising, partnerships, and branding.
National Championships Committee
Oversees event planning, operations, standards implementation, and execution of the 2026 Championships.
Event Operations and Sanctioning
Works with existing Functional Fitness competitions to improve judging consistency, movement standards, and athlete experience across Canada.
Additional roles and open positions are listed on via the Committees page.
If you want to contribute meaningfully to the sport without taking on a full board commitment, this is your opportunity.
Why These Changes Matter
Every structural change we are making, from decentralized Nationals to structured qualification pathways and project committees, is designed to move CF3 closer to full National Sport Organization recognition. By building a transparent, consistent, and governance aligned system, we strengthen our case for:
Federal recognition
Government grants
Travel subsidies for athletes
National standardization of competition
The 2026 season is about building the foundation for long term growth.
If you are an athlete, event organizer, coach, judge, volunteer, or supporter, there is a place for you in this system. Help us build a version of the sport that Canadian athletes deserve.