Crossfit Open 2026: Dave Castro Drops Buffalo-Eye Hint for Workout 26.1; How to Watch the Live Announcement
Just two days before the start of the 2026 season, Dave Castro released a brief clue that has the community buzzing: a three-second reel that appears to show a statue—possibly a buffalo—with the camera locked on the eye. That tease arrives on the eve of the crossfit open 2026 opening announcement, which includes a free livestream, an on-site reveal of Workout 26. 1, and four elite athletes set to be the first to attempt the workout.
What Dave Castro’s hint shows
The short video is three seconds long and appears to feature a statue that might be a buffalo. The clip's visual focus is on the statue’s eye. The hint was shared two days out from the start of the 2026 CrossFit Open.
Crossfit Open 2026 announcement: where and when
The first stage of the season—the CrossFit Open—will open with Workout 26. 1, announced on February 26th at Moffett Air National Guard Base. The full announcement ceremony will be broadcast live on official digital channels and will be free of charge so anyone can tune in to watch the prepared show. The live stream is scheduled to begin at 12 p. m. PT.
What the announcement will include
- Organizers will first reveal the exact set of exercises that make up Workout 26. 1.
- After the reveal, four world-class athletes will come out to be the first to perform the challenge in front of the audience.
- The broadcast is described as having something in store for everyone, with the athlete previews highlighted as a key moment.
Who will perform at the Workout 26. 1 announcement
The four athletes scheduled to be the first to tackle Workout 26. 1 during the announcement are Jayson Hopper, Dalin Pepper, Colten Mertens, and Austin Hatfield.
- Jayson Hopper is identified as the reigning Fittest Man On Earth.
- Dalin Pepper has stood on the podium before, having placed second in 2024 and fourth in the most recent season.
- Colten Mertens won last year’s CrossFit Open, having placed first in two out of three workouts.
- Austin Hatfield made his first appearance at the CrossFit Games in 2024 and placed fifth at the final stage of the 2025 season; he is described as a quick-rising athlete.
Scoring, submission deadline and rulebook notes
The deadline for submission of scores for the 2026 CrossFit Open Workout 26. 1 is Monday, March 2nd, until 5 p. m. PT. The rulebook states there are two ways for athletes to submit their scores.
Additional context and related mentions
The 2026 CrossFit Open is framed as the first stage of the season, embracing hundreds of thousands of competitors and fans from around the world while giving everyone an equal opportunity to qualify for later portions of the season. A fitness newsletter connected to the preview invited readers to subscribe for daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, and community support, with free subscription options highlighted. The preview also referenced related items: an interview item about Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr discussing her future after a second pregnancy, and a note that the 2026 CrossFit Games return to California.
Final notes and an incomplete passage
The preview material closes by saying the 2026 CrossFit Open Workout 26. 1 announcement will have something in store for everyone. The text in the original preview then ends abruptly with the fragment "Those who are particip"—unclear in the provided context.
Expect the announcement to confirm whether the buffalo-eye hint connects to movements, equipment, or thematic staging. Details may evolve once the live reveal occurs on February 26th at Moffett Air National Guard Base and the first performances by Hopper, Pepper, Mertens, and Hatfield are shown on the free livestream beginning at 12 p. m. PT.
