Velites Named Official Apparel, Footwear, Grips & Jump Rope Partner of the CrossFit Games® 2026

Velites will return as Official Apparel, Footwear, Grips, and Jump Rope Partner of the 2026 CrossFit Games.

It’s the second year in a row but the context around it is very different.

Last year, the partnership was signed in April. From that moment on, everything ran against the clock. Design, production, logistics, staffing, on-site execution. It all had to converge fast, with little margin to iterate.

The response from athletes and the community was strong though. The feedback was clear and very positive overall. But internally, it was a stretch. A lot of ideas were executed at the minimum viable point, stock arrived just in time and a lot of ideas stayed on the table.

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This year, the timeline changed.

The team gained seven more months. That alone shifts how decisions are made. What gets tested. What gets refined. What can actually be built properly instead of rushed into place.

Experience compounds too. The team arriving in 2026 isn’t the same one that arrived in 2025. The processes are clearer. The pressure points are known. The mistakes are fresh enough to correct.

Here is our promise: The result won’t look like a repeat.

Apparel at the Games will expand into a broader experience, with two additional collections introduced alongside Holo. The goal is simple: better alignment between what athletes live during the week and what they wear through it.

Athlete check-in will change significantly. Not cosmetically. Functionally.

The first contact point sets the tone for the week, and last year showed exactly where it needed to improve.

Happily this year we athletes already know their sizes on our apparel so things will be already better as a starting point.

For the first time, Divisional Games apparel will also be fully supported across all categories during Games week. That decision comes from our commitment to the community and the fact that last year timing made this impossible to achieve.

This year, there is more time, more clarity, and more work already done before arriving on site.

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When and where the Games actually happen

The 2026 CrossFit Games run July 24–26 at the SAP Center in San Jose.

On paper, that sounds simple.
In practice, that date and that location set the tone for the entire week.

Late July in San Jose usually means warm afternoons and cooler mornings. Most years sit around 80–85°F (27–29°C) during the day, with mornings and nights closer to 55–60°F (13–16°C). Humidity stays moderate for summer, hovering around 60%, with a relatively low dew point.

Athletes will notice one thing quickly.
When the sun drops, San Jose cools fast.

That affects how early sessions feel, how long it takes to warm up, and how the body responds before the arena is fully alive. What feels fine outside at midday can feel very different first thing in the morning.

The bigger shift happens moving in and out of the arena.

Outside, there’s sun, exposed concrete, waiting time, and heat building while you’re not competing. Inside, you’re stepping into a hockey arena. The floor runs cooler than most expect. The air is controlled.

Last year in Albany, at MVP Arena, temperatures looked similar on paper. Low 80s during the day. Low 60s at night.

The difference was the air.

Albany in early August carries more humidity, higher dew points, and more storm risk. It felt heavier. Sweat stayed longer. The environment pressed back more consistently.

San Jose is likely to feel drier outside, sharper in transitions, and more split between outdoor heat and indoor cooling.

From an athlete perspective, that changes some decisions.

Layering stops being optional.
Warm-ups need more attention.
Clothing has to work across stops and starts, not just during effort.

These conditions are already shaping how we prepare for the Games.

Fabrics that dry fast but don’t stiffen when cooled.

Pieces that behave the same after hours of use.

Apparel systems built around movement between environments, not a single moment on the floor.

It is true that weather doesn’t decide outcomes most of the time. But ignoring it quietly could cost energy all weekend.

That’s the level of detail the Games demand sometimes.

What equipment athletes will actually see on the floor

Aside from apparel, which will be fully Velites on site, there are three product lines that will be unmistakably present throughout Games week.

Footwear is one of them.

Athletes will see the Velites Hybrid 1.0 shoe, built for mixed demands across lifting, running, and fast transitions. It’s the option most athletes reached for last year when the program asked them to do everything in the same event.

They’ll also see something new.

The Minimal shoe will make its first appearance at the Games, ahead of its official pre-sale launch during the Open in February and March. It’s a stripped-back build for athletes who want ground feel, control, and clean mechanics and why not a daily shoe that is actually comfortable and healthy for their feet.

The third constant will be the Velites Earth 2.0 jump rope.

Last year, many athletes had to prepare specifically for crossovers. That forced changes in rhythm, cable control, and timing under fatigue. This year, the expectation is different. Movements tend to stack. Complexity tends to increase. Coordination gets tested deeper into workouts.

That’s why Earth 2.0 jump rope remains the reference we recommend for preparation. It’s the rope athletes can live with and make sure they are prepared in training for what will probably be coming in the arena.

Footwear and grips will not be mandatory. Athletes are free to compete in what they trust.

That said, we’re actively working on ways to encourage athletes to use our gear on the floor, especially when it aligns with their preparation and needs. For athletes interested in sponsorships or collaborations around the Games, direct conversations matter.

Anyone who wants to explore that can reach out at Itxaso@velitessport.com.

Every athlete competing will receive co-branded Velites x CrossFit grips, a jump rope, and a pair from our full footwear line.

What they choose to wear after that is up to them.

The CrossFit Games athletes we’ll back if they qualify again

If they earn their spot back at the CrossFit Games, we’ll continue sponsoring this group. Each of them proved something in 2025, under different pressure.

Sara Alicia Fernández Costas

Sara Alicia finished 3rd worldwide in the Women 35–39 division at the 2025 Age-Group CrossFit Games.
Podium at this level is about repeatable execution across events, not one good workout. She brought that.

Calum Clements

Calum finished 16th worldwide in the Men division at the 2025 CrossFit Games.
Top 20 at the Games leaves very little room for errors across the weekend. He stayed in it.

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Fee (Feeroozeh) Saghafi

Fee finished 17th overall in the Women division at the 2025 CrossFit Games.
She also won an event with “Climbing Couplet.”
That combination matters. Points over the weekend, plus a day where she controlled the whole field.

Tiago Luzes

Tiago finished 30th worldwide in the Men division at the 2025 CrossFit Games.
Unexpected to be qualified but still a solid performance.

Scott Panchik

Scott won the Men 35–39 division at the 2025 Age-Group CrossFit Games.
Winning age-group at the Games was a cool accomplishment for this crossFit Games veteran and friend of the brand.

We’re sending our deepest wishes to see every one of them back on the Games floor.

Closing note from Velites CEO: Matías Hernández Van Waes

“Being back at the CrossFit Games for a second year changes how you operate. You don’t arrive to prove you belong like last year. You arrive knowing where things broke, where time was lost, and what wasn’t ready last time.

Also we have found a very good team to work with at CrossFit that is already blended, is fast and knows each other well…

That’s the common ground now and we are preparing something unforgettable together.

Now is time to proof everything like the athletes at the 2026 CrossFit Games and 20th anniversary of my favorite competition on the planet”

Velites x CrossFit Games FAQ’s

When is the CrossFit Games 2026?

July 24–26.

Where is the CrossFit Games 2026 held?

At the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

What does “Official Apparel, Footwear, Grips and Jump Rope Partner” mean?

It indicates the official partner categories for apparel, training shoes, grips, and jump ropes at the 2026 CrossFit Games.

Does this announcement tell us what the CrossFit Games workouts will be?

No. Partner announcements don’t confirm event programming. Workout details are released through official CrossFit channels during the season.

Equipment FAQ for the CrossFit Games season

Below is a clear, no-noise reference. This exists because last year wasn’t clear enough.

Is Velites apparel mandatory at the CrossFit Games?

Yes.

Velites apparel will be mandatory for athletes competing at the CrossFit Games Finals.
It is the only mandatory equipment category.

All athletes on the Games floor will compete in official Velites apparel.

Are Velites shoes mandatory at the CrossFit Games?

No.

Athletes are free to compete in the footwear they choose.
Velites shoes will be available, showcased, and provided, but they are not required.

Are Velites grips mandatory at the CrossFit Games?

No.

Grips are not mandatory.
Athletes may use their preferred grips as long as they comply with the CrossFit rulebook for that stage of competition.

Important distinction:

• Games Finals: only the Quad Competition model complies with Games-level regulations.
• Open and non-Finals stages: all Velites grip models are allowed, including no-chalk versions.

Are Velites jump ropes mandatory?

It depends on the stage and the workout.

• The Open:
  Jump ropes are not mandatory. Athletes may use any rope for double unders, crossovers, or other rope-based movements.
  Heavy ropes are typically not part of the Open.
• CrossFit Games Finals:
  It is possible that Earth 2.0 ropes are specified for certain workouts.
  This would be announced in the workout briefing, not assumed in advance.

As always, workout-specific equipment requirements override general guidance.

Quick summary

• Apparel: mandatory at the Games Finals
• Shoes: not mandatory
• Grips: not mandatory
  • Quad Competition only at Games Finals
  • All models allowed in the Open and outside Finals
• Jump ropes:
  • Free choice in the Open
  • Possible Earth 2.0 use in select Games workouts

If rules change, we’ll update this section.

How should I choose a jump rope for double-unders?

Choose based on intent: speed-focused technique work vs load-focused strength/endurance work. Cable thickness and handle feel drive timing. You can find a comparison table on every Velites jump rope page, such as here.