AoC Sport Launches the College Fitness Series 2026/27
16 September 2026
AoC Sport is pleased to launch the College Fitness Series 2026/27, providing students across the country with a range of exciting opportunities to get active, challenge themselves, and represent their college through fitness-based competition and participation activities.
The College Fitness Series brings together a programme of online challenges, regional fitness festivals, national competitions, indoor rowing activities and a brand-new College Hybrid Games event. Designed to increase student participation in physical activity and create opportunities for personal development, the series offers something for students of all abilities and interests.
What's Included?
The 2026/27 programme includes:
- College Fitness Games
- The Strongest
- College Indoor Rowing Sprint Series
- Fitness Festivals
- College Hybrid Games (Hyrox Simulation)
- Volunteer and workforce development opportunities
These activities provide students with opportunities to improve their fitness, develop confidence, compete nationally and connect with peers from across the further education sector.
Key Dates
- 10 September 2026 – Fitness Series Launch
- 1 October 2026 – Online workouts open
- 5 November 2026 – South West Fitness Festival, CrossFit Pi
- 17 November 2026 – East Midlands Fitness Festival, CattleDog CrossFit
- 19 November 2026 – Yorkshire and Humberside Fitness Festival, Forge Fitness
- 1 December 2026 – West Midlands Fitness Festival, Second City CrossFit
- 31 December 2026 – Closing date for College Fitness Games and The Strongest submissions
- 1 March 2027 – North West Fitness Festival, Gritstone CrossFit
- 10 March 2027 – The Strongest Final
- 25 March 2027 – College Fitness Games Final
- 29 April 2027 – College Hybrid Games
Colleges are encouraged to share the opportunity widely and support students to get involved. Registration links, promotional resources and event information are available through the College Fitness Series launch materials.
The popular College Fitness Games returns for another year, offering students the opportunity to test their functional fitness through online qualification workouts between 1 October and 31 December 2026. The highest-performing athletes will secure a place at the national final, taking place on 25 March 2027 at Forge Fitness, Rotherham.
To view the workouts and enter visit the event page here: https://circle21.events/college-fitness-games-2026
Students looking to showcase their strength can take part in The Strongest, where competitors submit scores for three key lifts: deadlift, clean and press, and back squat. The top-ranked male and female athletes from across the country will progress to the final at Runshaw College on 10 March 2027.
To view the workouts and enter visit the event page here: https://circle21.events/aoc-sport-the-strongest-2027
The Indoor Rowing Sprint Series challenges students across four distances, ranging from a one-minute sprint to a demanding 1000m challenge. Students can submit multiple scores throughout the year to improve their personal bests and climb the national leaderboard.
To view the workouts and enter visit the event page here: College Indoor Rowing Sprint Series 2026/27 - powered by British Rowing and AoC Sport
Fitness Festivals will once again provide students with opportunities to experience functional fitness through practical workshops, taster sessions and coaching activities delivered in partnership with national governing bodies and local fitness providers. With places limited to 45 students per festival, colleges are encouraged to register early.
Confirmed dates currently include:
- South West Fitness Festival: 5 November 2026, CrossFit Pi, Exeter
- East Midlands Fitness Festival: 17 November 2026, CattleDog CrossFit, Northampton
- Yorkshire and Humber Fitness Festival: 19 November 2026, Forge Fitness, Rotherham
- North West Fitness Festival: 1 December 2026, Gritstone CrossFit, Manchester
- West Midlands Fitness Festival: 1 March 2027, SCFit, Birmingham
Additional regional dates will be announced throughout the year.
To sign up view the the event page here: AoC Sport - Fitness Festivals 2026/2027 – Fill in form
A brand-new addition to the programme is the College Hybrid Games, a Hyrox-style simulation event hosted by Gateshead College on 29 April 2027. Students will compete in pairs, with both mixed and same-gender categories available. Colleges can enter up to four teams, creating an exciting new competitive opportunity within the Fitness Series.
To sign up view the the event page here: Gateshead College present - The College Hybrid Games – Fill in form
AoC Sport is also seeking volunteers to support events throughout the year. Students and staff interested in judging, event operations, score collection and workforce development opportunities are encouraged to get involved. Volunteers will receive refreshments, while judges will also receive travel expenses.
Sign up here: College Fitness Games - Volunteer / Judging Form – Fill in form