CanWest Games

About the Games

The CanWest Games combine online qualifiers with an on-site main event. Athletes compete in individual and team divisions, with movement standards and variations offered so that newcomers, scaled athletes, masters, and elite competitors can all take part.

The main event is held at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, BC, with additional competition areas including Percy Perry Park, Virus Main Stage, Spider Chalk Field, and Gorila Gardens.

The CanWest Games is a multi-sport competition weekend built around a movement culture that welcomes athletes of all levels. From first-time competitors stepping onto a competition floor for the first time to seasoned athletes chasing a podium finish, the event is designed to meet people where they are. The atmosphere blends the energy of a festival with the structure of organized sport, creating a space where community and personal challenge exist side by side over the course of a single memorable weekend.

A signature element of the Games is the combination of online qualifiers and a live main event. Athletes complete designated workouts in their home gyms or local facilities during the qualifying window, then converge on the host venue for the finals. This format allows participants from a wide geographic area to take part without committing to travel until they have already earned their spot. It also builds anticipation, as competitors arrive having already shared a common experience of the qualifier stage.

To keep the competition accessible, the Games are divided into individual and team categories, with movement standards and scaled variations available across divisions. Newcomers, scaled athletes, masters, and elite competitors each have a pathway suited to their current ability, and the range of options encourages participants to find the right balance between challenge and achievability. This tiered approach reflects a broader philosophy that competition should reward preparation and effort rather than simply sorting athletes by experience.

The main event takes place across a network of connected competition areas, transforming a single host site into a sprawling activity hub. Stadium seating, open parkland, and dedicated performance zones give different events their own identity while keeping the weekend feeling cohesive. Spectators can move freely between areas, watching heats, cheering on teammates, and taking in the full scope of the production. The layout is designed to keep athletes and fans in close contact throughout the day.

Beyond the competition itself, the Games are framed as a celebration of the broader fitness community. Volunteers and staff play a central role, helping the event run smoothly and contributing to the welcoming environment that has become a hallmark of the weekend. The shared sense of purpose among organizers, athletes, and supporters turns a sporting event into a gathering point, where friendships are renewed, new connections are made, and a collective identity is reinforced through participation.

Media coverage and social sharing are an important part of the experience, extending the reach of the Games far beyond the host city. Official photo galleries, partner content, and athlete posts allow those who attended to relive key moments and give those who did not a window into the atmosphere. This digital layer has become increasingly central to how the event is remembered, supplementing the in-person experience with images, video, and conversation that continue to circulate long after the final workout is complete.

Merchandise and partner collaborations add another dimension to the weekend, offering visitors a way to take a piece of the experience home with them. Apparel and accessories produced in collaboration with affiliated brands reflect the visual identity of the Games and serve as a shared marker among participants. These items often become a talking point in their own right, spotted in gyms and at future events, reinforcing the sense of belonging that the competition aims to cultivate across regions and training communities.

Looking ahead, the same model has inspired companion events in other parts of the country, extending the format to new audiences while keeping the core structure intact. The continued growth of the weekend reflects both the appeal of the qualifier-plus-finals approach and the strength of the community that has formed around it. As the event evolves, the emphasis remains on delivering a high-quality competition experience that is inclusive, well-organized, and memorable for everyone who steps onto the floor, whether as an athlete, a volunteer, or a spectator.

How to Compete

Review the divisions and standards to choose your category.
Complete the online qualifier workouts (WODs) in your division.
Submit your scores and any required video through the leaderboard system.
Top performers receive an invitation to the on-site main event.
Register as an athlete or a team of three once invitations are confirmed.

News & Announcements

The 2017 Main Event took place July 28–30, 2017 at Percy Perry Stadium.
The 2018 Online Qualifier included CWG WOD 18.1 through 18.4.
Qualifier workouts (WOD 17.1 and 17.2) were announced in May 2017.
Video submission is a required part of the online qualifier process.

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Competition Divisions

Elite Individual — the top individual category, qualifier required.
Masters Individual — for masters-age athletes, with 35+ and 45+ variations.
Teens Individual — for teen athletes aged 14–17.
Invitational Elite Teams — top team division.
Intermediate Teams — trios at an intermediate level.
Scaled Teams — accessible team category for scaled athletes.

See full divisions & standards.

Qualifier Workouts

Qualifier WODs include time caps, rep maxes, and AMRAP components. Masters, Scaled, and Teen variations are provided so each athlete can compete at an appropriate level. Browse the full workout library.