The 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships set to bring together elite rowers and fitness enthusiasts in a fully virtual arena

World Rowing is delighted to announce the official 2025  World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH) presented by Concept2, set to take place over two action-packed weekends in February 2025. This global event brings together elite, amateur rowers and fitness enthusiasts from around the world to compete in a virtual environment exclusively, showcasing their strength, endurance, and speed across a range of thrilling Indoor Rowing events. With cutting-edge virtual technology enabling real-time competition across continents, this event promises to be a celebration of sport, resilience, and international camaraderie.

Each weekend will feature a day of Heats followed by a day of Finals. The Heats will be conducted across three continental time zones, ensuring that athletes from all over the world have an opportunity to participate at a time that suits them. Finals will be broadcast live during European evening hours, promising an exciting and engaging viewing experience for Rowing fans everywhere.

Qualification Process

The journey to the official World Rowing Indoor Championships, presented by Concept 2, finals begins in November 2024,  with an open qualification period extending through January 2025. During this time, rowers can submit their best times in their respective events – to qualify for the Heats.

The top 150 competitors in each gender and weight category per continental time zone will be invited to enter in the Heats. Additionally, the top 10 athletes in each age category who do not qualify directly will have the opportunity to make a wildcard entry. From the Heats, the top 50 competitors in each category will move on to the semi-finals, and the best 20 will compete in the grand Finals.

Official World Championship Titles and Rankings Across All Age Categories

The 2025 WRICH will crown World Champions in all age categories, ensuring that athletes of every age group—from Juniors to Masters—have the opportunity to compete for the prestigious title of World Rowing Indoor Champion. There will also be a range of new and exciting events including Relays for University, School and Services (Police/Fire/Armed Forces etc), and long-distance events (5km) too. Following the finals and for the first time ever, all participants from the Qualifiers to the Finals, will receive an official World, Continental, and Age Group ranking. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in all age categories. This inclusivity highlights the broad appeal of Indoor Rowing and encourages participation from a diverse range of competitors worldwide.

Looking Ahead to More Exciting Developments

Following the 2025 WRICH, World Rowing is set to launch a brand-new Virtual Series, expanding opportunities for Indoor Rowing enthusiasts to compete throughout the year. Additionally, plans are underway for an in-person Versa Challenge Finals event to be held in the fourth quarter of 2025 in a location to be announced soon, providing a unique competition experience in an iconic location for the top versatile Indoor Rowers in the World..

World Rowing is also actively working towards the inclusion of Indoor Rowing in the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games, expected to also take place in the fourth quarter of 2025, in Saudi Arabia, reflecting its commitment to positioning Indoor Rowing as a premier sport in the digital and esports arenas.

“Importantly, both the WRICH and Virtual Series will be integral in qualifying for these two new in-person events, and align with our aim of making Rowing more accessible and more exciting for as many people as possible, no matter their age, fitness level, skill or background” said Vincent Gaillard, World Rowing’s Executive Director.

The 2025 WRICH will unfold across the following weekends:

Weekend 1: Saturday, 15th & Sunday, 16th February 2025

Events: 500m and Endurance Relay

Weekend 2: Saturday, 22nd & Sunday, 23rd February 2025

Events: 2000m and Sprint Relay

Saturday – Heats:

• Asia & Oceania: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM CET
• Africa & Europe: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM CET
• Americas: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM CET

Stay tuned for more information on how to watch and participate in the 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships.

For media inquiries, please contact Brian Orsini, Head of Communications and Media for World Rowing : brian.orsini@worldrowing.com