ATHX Liverpool 2026: event guide at Exhibition Centre Liverpool

Liverpool, United Kingdom | October 3-4, 2026

ATHX Games returns to Liverpool to close its 2026 UK season. ATHX Liverpool takes place on October 3 and 4 at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, on the historic Kings Dock in the heart of Liverpool Waterfront. Two days of competition at one of the UK's most versatile exhibition venues.

Key event details

Venue:
Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, United Kingdom, L3 4FP

Date:
October 3-4, 2026. Heats run from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and you pick yours when you enter.

How to get there

• Airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport is about 11 km from the city centre. A taxi takes around 20-25 minutes; the AirLink 500 bus reaches Liverpool ONE Bus Station in about 25-30 minutes, a 5-minute walk from the venue.
• By train: a short taxi or bus ride from Liverpool Lime Street, with direct services to London in a little over two hours.
• By car: less than 20 minutes from the UK motorway network and right next to one of Liverpool's main through roads.
• By bus: many routes serve the Liverpool ONE bus station, a five-minute walk from the venue.

The ATHX format

2.5 hours of continuous competition across six zones: Warm-Up, Strength, Refuel, Endurance, Recovery and MetCon X. The three tests are the same at every event of the 2026 season, so you can train them weeks in advance.

This season's three tests

• Strength (20 min): 1RM Strict Press (minutes 0-6), 3RM Back Squat (minutes 6-12) and 5RM Deadlift (minutes 12-20). Your score is the total weight lifted.
• Endurance (22-minute time cap): alternating running and rowing. Individual athletes switch every 750 m in ATHX and every 1,000 m in Pro. Your score is the total distance covered.
• MetCon X (25-minute time cap): Ski-Erg, dumbbell Ground to Overhead, Sandbag Carry, Box Jump Overs, dumbbell Walking Lunges, Burpee Broad Jumps and a final Ski-Erg block. Your score is your finish time. In Lite, Box Jump Overs become Step-Overs and the lunges are bodyweight.

Categories and pricing

ATHX Liverpool offers three competition levels, ATHX Lite, ATHX and ATHX Pro, in Individual and Pairs format (male, female and mixed).

• Individual entry: £93.50
• Pairs entry: £187.00

Spectator tickets are also available for anyone who'd rather watch from the stands, and the organisation is looking for volunteers on the day.

Get ready for Liverpool with Velites

First, check what gear is allowed. The official ATHX 2026 movement standards do not allow lifting straps or hand grips of any kind during competition. Wrist wraps, a single pair of knee sleeves, a weightlifting belt, weightlifting shoes and your own chalk are all allowed in the strength zone.

For competition day:

• Knee sleeves, for the 3RM Back Squat and the Walking Lunges, where your back knee has to touch the floor on every step.
• Wrist wraps, to keep your wrists stable on the 1RM Strict Press and every Ground to Overhead rep.
• Hybrid 1.0 and Minimal 1.0 shoes, built to move between running, strength and metcon without changing footwear.

For your training block: Quad Ultra hand grips and weightlifting straps help you build pulling and barbell volume without tearing up your hands. Use them in the box and leave them in your bag on event day.

Liverpool: more than just fitness

• Albert Dock: a short walk from the venue, with museums, restaurants and views over the Mersey, ideal for a recovery stroll.
• Museum of Liverpool: the city's maritime and cultural history, right on the Waterfront.
• Cavern Quarter: the historic city-centre area linked to The Beatles, with pubs and a relaxed atmosphere to unwind after competing.

Frequently asked questions

Where does ATHX Liverpool 2026 take place?
At Exhibition Centre Liverpool, on Kings Dock, in the heart of Liverpool Waterfront.

How do I get from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to the venue?
The fastest option is a taxi (20-25 minutes). By public transport, the AirLink 500 bus connects the airport with Liverpool ONE Bus Station, a 5-minute walk from Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

Can I use hand grips or lifting straps during the competition?
No. The ATHX 2026 movement standards ban lifting straps in the strength zone and hand grips of any kind during competition. You can wear wrist wraps, one pair of knee sleeves, a weightlifting belt and weightlifting shoes. Save grips and straps for your training sessions.

Do I need a ticket to watch as a spectator?
Yes, ATHX Liverpool sells spectator tickets separately from competitor entries.

Will there be an ATHX Liverpool 2027?
Yes. ATHX Liverpool 2027 is already confirmed for October 9-10, 2027, at ACC Liverpool, part of the same waterfront campus. Bear in mind that ATHX changes its workouts every season, so the 2027 tests will be different.

Conclusion: Kings Dock awaits

ATHX Liverpool 2026 combines a demanding format with a landmark venue in the north west of England. Train the three tests, check what gear you can bring, and get ready for all six zones.

See you on the Waterfront!