The 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships, presented by Concept 2, is underway and will span two weekends, showcasing the best of the sport with thrilling races and high-level performances. This year’s event has highlighted World Rowing’s commitment to the development of indoor rowing, emphasizing its evolution as an accessible and interactive discipline. This initiative aligns with World Rowing’s proposal to include connected rowing in the IOC’s Esports Games in 2027, aiming to integrate the sport into the growing world of eSports.

During the first weekend of the 2025 championship, memorable moments unfolded, including the sprint finals. Several world records were also broken, pushing athletes to surpass their limits. The endurance race format (2000m) will continue next weekend, featuring continental qualifiers, semifinals, and finals broadcast live. This event not only celebrates competition but also marks a milestone in the evolution of indoor rowing, driven by technology and global participation.

EVOLUTION OF INDOOR ROWING

World Rowing has collaborated with technology partners to foster innovation in indoor rowing, enhancing virtual races and increasing participation in virtual and hybrid events in 2024. The 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships, presented by Concept 2, has demonstrated this growth with a record number of athletes competing in this virtual competition.

Indoor rowing has evolved from being an activity confined to gyms and training centers to a digital and immersive discipline that connects rowers from around the world in real time. Jean-Christophe Rolland, president of World Rowing, highlights that indoor rowing offers athletes of all levels the opportunity to compete and push their limits in ways never seen before. World Rowing’s vision is to ensure that this discipline continues to thrive in both the traditional sports arena and the digital landscape.