World Rowing Indoor Championships 2025
World Rowing has announced the official 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH) presented by Concept2 is to take place over two weekends in February 2025.
The global event brings together Olympic, elite, amateur rowers and fitness enthusiasts from around the world to compete in a virtual environment.
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.
Qualification Process
The journey to the official World Rowing Indoor Championships finals begins on 15th November 2024 1200 CET, with an open qualification period extending through till 20th January 2025 2359 CET. 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 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 title of World Rowing Indoor Champion. There will also be a range of new events including Relays for University, School and Services (Police/Fire/Armed Forces etc), and long-distance events (5km) too.
Following the finals, 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.
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 (location to be announced soon).
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.
“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