Indoor/Connected Rowing upgrades offical set of rules to accelerate global development of the discipline

In a major development for the rapidly growing discipline of Indoor/Connected Rowing, World Rowing has introduced a distinct set of rules to govern competitions. This milestone decision, made at the World Rowing Quadrennial Congress on 15 March, provides a structured framework that further cements Indoor/Connected Rowing’s role within the global sports ecosystem.

With Indoor Rowing’s increasing prominence, particularly through online racing and remote competitions, the refinement of this set of rules ensures consistency, fairness, and credibility across all formats. The new regulations define standardised protocols and provide clarifications for online and in-person events alike.

“The rise of Indoor/Connected Rowing is phenomenal, and having an robust set of rules is a crucial step in its continued growth,” said Vincent Gaillard, World Rowing’s Executive Director. “This move not only reinforces the integrity of competition but also enhances opportunities for athletes at all levels to engage in the sport, whether in physical arenas or virtual settings.”
Building on the momentum of the highly successful 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships, presented by Concept 2, World Rowing has intensified its development of the Indoor and Virtual Rowing spaces.

As part of its commitment to innovation and transformative partnerships, World Rowing will be co-hosting the Virtual Sports Forum 2025 in Tokyo, on 26 March, with his strategic research partner, the Japan Sport Council. This project, commissioned by the Government of Japan and hosted at the Konami Creative Centre, eSports Ginza Studio, will see key industry leaders explore the future of esports and virtual sporting experiences.

Further expanding its digital footprint, World Rowing will launch a brand-new Virtual Series in June, introducing interactive and engaging challenges aimed at both elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts. These innovative competitions will enhance community participation in Indoor/Connected Rowing and could, in the future, serve as a pathway for qualification into the Olympic Esports Games, following World Rowing’s submission to the IOC for inclusion in the 2027 edition in Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, World Rowing has been invited by the Esports World Cup Foundation to showcase Indoor/Connected Rowing at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Saudi Rowing.

Looking ahead, World Rowing is finalising plans for staging events in the next few years, including a Versa Challenge Finals – the high-intensity, multi-format showdown bringing together top competitors – and the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH) alongside the yearly Virtual Series.

This formalisation of Indoor Rowing Regulations signals World Rowing’s commitment to nurturing Indoor/Connected Rowing’s expansion, paving the way for further integration with digital platforms and the sport’s increasing accessibility worldwide.

For more information about Indoor/Connected Rowing, click here.