The landscape of professional fitness racing is about to undergo a seismic shift. XENOM, a new global competition series dubbed the "Decathlon of Fitness," has officially launched with $15 million in seed funding led by WndrCo. With a mission to standardize human performance testing, XENOM will debut its inaugural season in June 2026 at the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters, offering a stadium-scale alternative to the constantly varied challenges of the CrossFit Games.

The ‘Decathlon of Fitness’: A New Standardized Format

Unlike traditional CrossFit competitions where workouts are kept secret until the last minute, XENOM is introducing a fixed 10-event format that will remain consistent across all global competitions. This approach allows athletes to train for specific benchmarks year-round, similar to track and field decathletes. The series uses a cumulative "Elite Performance Index" scoring system to measure progression over time.

While the full list of ten events is still being rolled out, organizers have revealed three key tests that signal the broad athletic demand of the competition:

  • Event 1: 1-Rep Max Snatch (testing absolute strength)
  • Event 5: 3,000m Run directly into a 2,000m Ski (testing aerobic capacity)
  • Event 7: A triplet of Toes-to-Bar, Dual Dumbbell Hang Snatch, and Bar/Ring Muscle-Ups (testing gymnastics and cycling capacity)

"We see an incredible opportunity to build a global competition which re-energizes and meets the huge unmet demand... for a complete standardized test," said Keith Barlow, Founder and CEO of XENOM, in a recent interview. By fixing the tests, XENOM aims to provide the first true "apples-to-apples" comparison for hybrid athletes worldwide.

2026 Season Schedule: Dallas, London, and Beyond

The inaugural season, titled "Season 001," kicks off with a massive stadium event in Frisco, Texas. The ford Center at The Star—the 12,000-seat indoor stadium used by the Dallas Cowboys—will host the premiere on June 27–28, 2026. This choice of venue underscores the league's ambition to bring fitness racing into major professional sporting arenas.

Following the US debut, the tour moves across the Atlantic for its second stop in London, UK, on August 29–30, 2026. Additional stops in Miami and Paris have been confirmed as part of the 11-city inaugural circuit, with specific dates to be announced in the coming weeks. Each event promises a festival-like atmosphere with integrated athlete recovery zones and spectator experiences that rival major professional sports leagues.

Divisions, Pricing, and How to Compete

XENOM is designed to be inclusive yet elite, offering three distinct divisions for both Individual and Same-Sex Pairs categories:

  • Elite: Advanced loading and technical standards for professional athletes.
  • RX: Prescribed standards for experienced functional fitness competitors.
  • Compete: Scaled loading and complexity for everyday athletes.

To celebrate the launch, XENOM has opened a ballot system from February 27 to March 13, giving away 250 free competition spots. For those who miss the ballot, standard registration opens on March 16. Entry fees are positioned at the premium end of the market, with Individual entries at $500 and Pairs at $900 ($450 per person), reflecting the high-production value of the stadium experience.

Strategic Partnerships and Market Impact

The league has secured critical industry backing to ensure its legitimacy from day one. XENOM has signed a licensing deal as an official CrossFit® Partner Event Series, bridging the gap between the traditional CrossFit community and the booming hybrid athlete sector. Additionally, Rogue Fitness has signed on as the Foundational Partner and official equipment supplier, ensuring that athletes will compete on the highest standard of gear available.

With high-profile backing from Jeffrey Katzenberg’s WndrCo and a clear vision to professionalize fitness racing, XENOM is positioning itself as a complement to existing giants like HYROX and the CrossFit Games. By offering a standardized test in a stadium setting, it answers the growing call for a sport where data, consistency, and spectacle converge.