From Competition to Innovation: World Rowing's Indoor and Connected Rowing Evolution

The 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships, presented by Concept 2, staged over two weekends, showcase the very best of Indoor Rowing with exhilarating races, world-class performances, and new champions crowned.

The first weekend of the Championships featured unforgettable performances, including blistering sprint finals on Sunday. Several world records fell as athletes pushed the limits of human performance in front of a global audience. Full details and race reports can be found here.

The endurance format of racing (2’000m) will take place next weekend, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 February under the same format of racing : Continental Knockout Heats, followed by Elimination Semifinals and Grand Finals broadcasted live on Sunday.

Beyond the competition, World Rowing reaffirms its commitment to the development of Indoor / Connected Rowing as a core part of the sport’s evolution.

With the rapid evolution of technology and shifting participation trends, World Rowing continues to invest in the growth of Indoor / Connected Rowing, a discipline that is revolutionising the sport by making it more accessible and interactive. Indoor Rowing, often seen as a discipline confined to training centres and gyms, is now a fully immersive, digital-first discipline that connects rowers worldwide in real time.

This strategic vision was underlined by World Rowing’s submission to be part of the inaugural IOC Esports Games, now scheduled to take place in 2027 in Saudi Arabia. The bid reflects the Federation’s ambition to position Connected Rowing within the growing esports ecosystem, leveraging advancements in real-time data tracking, virtual competition platforms, and interactive fan experiences.

“We are witnessing a fundamental shift in how people engage with sport, and Indoor Rowing is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Jean-Christophe Rolland, President of World Rowing. “With Indoor / Connected Rowing, we can offer athletes of all levels an opportunity to compete, engage, and push their limits in ways never seen before. Our submission to the IOC Esports Games aligns perfectly with this mission.”

Global Growth and Innovation
World Rowing has been working closely with technology partners to drive innovation in Indoor Rowing, enhancing the virtual race. In 2024, participation in virtual and hybrid Indoor Rowing events surged, with more athletes than ever joining competitive and community-based races from their homes, clubs, and gyms.

The 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships, presented by Concept 2, further demonstrated this growth, with a record number of athletes joining this fully virtual competition.

As World Rowing looks to the future, the organisation remains dedicated to furthering the integration of technology, competition, and global participation in Indoor and Connected Rowing, ensuring the discipline continues to thrive in both traditional and digital sporting landscapes.