Wodapalooza Rebrands, Partners with Gymreapers for 2026
In 2012, Guido Trinidad and Steve Suarez hosted the first Wodapalooza event in Miami, Florida.
- What started with 145 athletes and only 500 spectators has grown into the fitness festival it is today, featuring nearly 50 divisions, with 2,000 athletes competing and over 40,000 fans and spectators in attendance.
Remind me: Over the years, Wodapalooza has made significant changes to its growing and successful brand. In 2022, it partnered with the shoe and apparel company TYR, which became its title sponsor and rebranded the event as “TYR Wodapalooza.”
- Last year, the event team moved the competition from Miami to Miami Beach and added an extra fitness festival in Huntington Beach, California. In September 2024, the first annual TYR Wodapalooza SoCal was born.
The second iteration of the California event concluded just a few weeks ago.
The details: Wodapalooza has taken another step forward recently, sharing that a new ownership group has taken over.
- The group is made up of several individuals who have “been part of the CrossFit community for more than 15 years, competing on Wodapalooza’s stage, training in affiliates, and living the lifestyle from the inside out. Their deep connection to the sport, methodology, and community reflects a shared passion for protecting WZA’s roots while helping it grow stronger for years to come,” according to a press release shared with Morning Chalk Up.
The transition signals a new chapter, but the leadership and team that play such a big role in Wodapalooza’s success will remain unchanged.
- “Wodapalooza has always been about more than competition; it’s about celebrating fitness, friendship, and the community that brings us together,” said Dylan Malitsky, Managing Director and Partner at WZA Sports.
What they’re saying: Malitsky reiterated that their team isn’t changing, “We’re simply gaining a new ownership group who love this sport as much as we do, which gives us the opportunity to keep elevating the experience while protecting what makes WZA so special. We’re grateful to Loud and Live for their years of support in bringing Wodapalooza to this point, and we’re now excited to see how far we can take it in the years ahead.”
On Malitsky’s social media account, he shared his appreciation for Wodapalooza’s partnership with TYR, indicating without a doubt that the partnership with the apparel brand had indeed come to an end.
On Tuesday morning, followers of Wodapalooza’s Instagram account noticed some significant changes to the page.
- Every post was deleted, all accounts were unfollowed, and teasers started appearing one by one. “Under construction” was the theme, with one of the posts featuring a collaboration with the brand Gymreapers – a partnership many had been eagerly waiting for.
Roc Pilon, the owner and CEO of Gymreapers, shared his sentiment with Morning Chalk Up regarding the new relationship.
- “There are very few arenas in fitness that carry the energy of Wodapalooza. It’s a true test of strength and community. At Gymreapers, we’ve built our brand on those same foundations. Joining forces with WZA is a chance for us to really show up to support these athletes who set the standard for what it means to push the limits and celebrate the community that makes functional fitness so unstoppable.”
Along with Gymreapers, Malitsky and the Wodapalooza event team aim for the 2026 Wodapalooza Miami qualifiers, starting October 8, for the competition set for March 13-15, which will be held for the second time in Miami Beach, Florida.
