Crossfit Open 2026: Castro Drops Buffalo-Eye Tease Ahead of 26.1 Livestream

Two days before the start of the crossfit open 2026, Dave Castro released a three-second reel that appears to show a statue — possibly a buffalo — with a tight focus on the eye, and organizers have scheduled the Workout 26. 1 announcement to stream live at 12 p. m. PT on the event's official channels. The first workout of the season will be revealed before a select group of top competitors attempt the test, and score submission windows and rules for 26. 1 have been published.

Crossfit Open 2026: How to watch the 26. 1 announcement

The unveiling of Workout 26. 1 is set to begin on Feb. 26 at the Moffett Air National Guard Base, with the announcement ceremony streaming live and free starting at 12 p. m. PT. That translates to 3 p. m. ET for viewers on the U. S. East Coast and 8 p. m. UK time (GMT). The show will reveal the full workout before a select group of elite athletes takes the floor to make the first public attempts.

Expect the broadcast to showcase those initial attempts and offer a first look at how top competitors plan to approach 26. 1. Fans and athletes planning to follow the ceremony should note the start time in their local zone and expect the full workout details to be available immediately after the reveal.

Dave Castro's hint for 26. 1 and the immediate reaction

The brief three-second clip shared by Dave Castro frames what might be a buffalo statue, centering on the creature's eye. The post arrived just two days out from the start of the event and functions as a teaser ahead of the 26. 1 reveal. The imagery is short and ambiguous by design; at this point the clip is a hint rather than a confirmation of any specific element in the workout.

Given the timing and the tight visual focus, the tease has already become part of the pre-show narrative for the workout reveal. For athletes and coaches, small details in teasers are often scanned for clues about movements, implements, or event themes, but this clip remains open to interpretation. Recent updates make clear that the full workout will be disclosed during the livestream, leaving final confirmations to the announcement itself.

What athletes need to know about attempting 26. 1

Workout 26. 1 will be the first official test of the season and will be attempted live by a selected group of competitors listed for the showcase: Jayson Hopper, Dalin Pepper, Colten Mertens and Austin Hatfield. After the live attempts, athletes worldwide will have a window to complete and submit scores for ranking.

• Score submission deadline for 26. 1: Monday, March 2 at 5 p. m. PT.
• Accepted submission methods: complete the workout in the presence of a judge at a licensed affiliate gym in good standing, or upload a working video link to the event website.

Competitors planning to enter the open should ensure they understand the judge and video requirements and meet the posted deadline. The head-to-head showcase at the announcement is intended to give a preview of strategy and pacing, which many will use to plan their own attempts during the submission window.

As the crossfit open 2026 kickoff approaches, the combination of Castro's short teaser, the scheduled livestream, and the named athletes set to attempt 26. 1 has created clear points of focus for athletes and fans. Details that remain uncertain will be settled during the announcement ceremony; until then the buffalo-eye clip stands as the latest hint in a tightly choreographed prelude to the season-opening workout.