The REBEL Renegade Games will not return in 2027. The South African-based Semifinal has qualified athletes to the CrossFit Games for the past four seasons, but that run has come to an end. However, the decision was made by CrossFit, not the organizers of the competition.
The organizers were looking forward to the upcoming year. However, it was CrossFit’s decision to not continue with the REBEL Renegade Games. CrossFit did not renew its contract with the REBEL Renegade Games for the 2027 CrossFit Games season despite attempts by the organizers to retain the event.
Ultimately, CrossFit cited the Semifinal’s weak strength of field for going in a different direction. In 2026, Hannah Black and Ben Fowler qualified out of REBEL Renegade Games.
A day after CrossFit announced its 2027 CrossFit Games season structure, the REBEL Renegade Games broke the news that they would not be part of the season.
“Without qualifying spots and the CrossFit Semifinal designation, we cannot deliver the event our sponsors and community deserve,” wrote the organizers in today’s Instagram post.
They added, “This one hurts, but the mission hasn’t changed. We’re still here, and we’re still growing CrossFit across Africa and the UAE.”
In speaking with the REBEL Renegade Games team, they clearly are disappointed in the decision and something they echoed in their post to the community. “This one hurts,” headlined one of the slides.
What Next?
With Africa’s only Semifinal competition eliminated, the question is whether there will be an in-person Semifinal in Africa.
In CrossFit’s announcement of the 2027 season structure, it did not list the Semifinals that would qualify athletes to the CrossFit Games. So is CrossFit in discussions with a different competition to host a Semifinal in Africa or will Africa be void of a stage within the season?
Strength of Field
And what about Africa’s strength of field? No one would argue that Africa has historically had the weakest field of the Semifinals (or even Regionals back in the day).
However, removing the Semifinal on grounds of a weak field does not allow for the region to improve. At least hosting an event in the region gives those in the area something to strive for.
Will athletes from South Africa and surrounding countries have the opportunity to compete at the Semifinal stage, or if they do qualify, are they able or willing to travel to a different continent to compete?
These are all questions that can’t be answered right now. CrossFit will eventually release the roster of Semifinal competitions. Maybe then we will have some clarity.
Until then, all we know is that there will not be a REBEL Renegade Games in 2027.
