Desert City Classic 2027: the event and its WFP spots

Desert City Classic was born in May 2021 at CrossFit Incite in Mesa as a local throwdown and grew to a three-day event at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Fitness Complex in Tempe, with two indoor floors, a pool and an outdoor field. Programming is by Scott Panchik, and the event puts community first: 750+ athletes and 3,500+ spectators in 2026. In 2027 it joins the World Fitness Series and moves to Scottsdale.

The first step is the Desert City Online Qualifier; top finishers in each division earn a place on the competition floor for three days of in-person competition. Community pairs have been open registration without a qualifier. The 2027 qualifier dates, venue and schedule are not published yet.

1. Oct 26, 2026

   Oct 26, 2026

   2027 dates announced

   5-7 November 2027; the venue will be revealed later.

2. Oct 27, 2026

   Oct 27, 2026

   Confirmed in the 2027 World Fitness Series

   Divisions and WFP spots published on Instagram.

3. Nov 5 – 7, 2027

   Nov 5 – 7, 2027

   Desert City Classic 2027

   Scottsdale, Arizona. Venue to be announced.

The site says qualifying starts with the Desert City Online Qualifier, where top athletes earn their spot. 2027 dates are not published. In 2026 registration opened on 13 April, workouts were released on 18 June and scores were due by midnight on 28 June (MST), on Competition Corner.

Bold divisions on the event's 2027 graphic award World Fitness Championship spots: Elite individual (3, men and women), Masters 35+ to 55+ (1 minimum), and pairs RX co-ed, Intermediate co-ed, Community MM/FF/MF and Masters co-ed 35+ (1 minimum each). The event's post speaks of 8+ Championship spots.

1. 01

   Desert City Classic

   Nov 5 – 7, 2027 in Scottsdale. Divisions marked WFP award spots.

2. 02

   7 spots

   Across 5 divisions. Counted by division, not by athlete.

3. 03

   World Fitness Championship

   The final of the World Fitness Project's 2027 season. Date and venue to be confirmed.

Not published. The 2026 qualifier was tagged 'Prize Awarded' on Competition Corner without amounts.

1. 2026

   23-25 October 2026, Sun Devil Fitness Complex (400 E Apache Blvd, Tempe), presented by 5.11. Online qualifier 18-28 June. 750+ athletes, 3,500+ spectators; co-ed teams of two introduced. Elite winners: Elizabeth Wishart and CJ Gerald. Spectator tickets (single day, weekend; kids 12 and under free) on Humanitix.

2. 2025

   7-9 November 2025, Sun Devil Fitness Complex, Tempe. 603 athletes and 2,500 spectators; the qualifier opened to all divisions except community, and the 5.11 Rope Climb Truss Rig debuted. Elite winners: Elizabeth Wishart and William Leahy.

3. 2024

   8-10 November 2024 at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex: three days, 512 athletes and 2,000 spectators; first online qualifier for individuals and a new outdoor stage on a 3-acre field.

4. 2023

   Rebranded, two days, moved to Arizona State University: 420 athletes and 1,200 spectators.

5. 2022

   One day, two competition floors, 135 athletes from 10 states and 500 spectators.

6. 2021

   May 2021: one-day individual throwdown at CrossFit Incite, Mesa (61 athletes, 200 spectators); November 2021: teams of two (112 athletes, 300 spectators).

• 2027 venue in Scottsdale
• 2027 online qualifier dates and workouts
• Registration fees
• Places per division at the 2027 final
• Schedule
• Spectator tickets and prices
• Prize money
• Rulebook
• Official hotel

1. 01Athens ThrowdownAthens · Apr 16 – 18, 2027
2. 02UBL | The Italian Championship NaplesNaples · Jun 25 – 27, 2027
3. 03Atlantic Coast ClassicDaytona Beach · Jul 2 – 4, 2027
4. 04The Monster GamesOverland Park · Jul 23 – 25, 2027
5. 05Fitland Fitness FestivalBogotá · Aug 14 – 16, 2027
6. 06TCBSão Paulo · Sep 4 – 7, 2027
7. 07WodcelonaBarcelona · Sep 10 – 12, 2027
8. 08Down Under ChampionshipWollongong · Sep 24 – 26, 2027
9. 09Oslo ThrowdownOslo · Oct 15 – 17, 2027
10. 10Desert City ClassicScottsdale · Nov 5 – 7, 2027