HYROX Phoenix marks the third Major of the 2025–2026 season, following Hamburg and Melbourne, with Warsaw still to come. As with the earlier Majors, the Elite 15 Men’s field was shaped by automatic qualifiers, time-based qualification, and a roll-down process that extended beyond the initial cut.
This guide breaks down how the field was formed, which athletes are actually racing in Phoenix, and how far the roll-down went to complete the lineup.
How the Elite 15 Qualification System Works
The Elite 15 is built from two pathways. These rules apply to both the men and women.
Category One: Automatic Qualifiers
This includes
• Major winners from the previous season
• World Championship podium athletes, with roll-downs applied as needed
For this season, six men earned automatic qualification into the Elite 15.
Category Two: Fastest Two-Race Average
HYROX ranks athletes by the average of their two fastest Elite race results from the previous 365 days. The cutoff date for Phoenix was January 8, 2026.
Men’s Elite 15: Who Is Actually Racing in Phoenix
Automatic Qualifiers
James Kelly – Major winner
Alexander Roncevic – Major winner
Jonathon Wynn – Worlds roll-down
Dylan Scott – Major winner
Time Qualifiers
Emilio Aguayo – 54:47
Sean Noble – 54:55
Tomas Tvrdik – 54:56
Rich Ryan – 54:58
Cole Learn – 55:03
Luke Greer – 55:08
Josh Van Zeeland – 55:09
Charlie Botterill – 55:09
Louis Osselaer – 55:14
Accepted via Roll-Down
Alen Ploj (17)
Beau Wills (18)
Declined Automatic Spots
Tim Wenisch
Hunter McIntyre
Declined Time-Qualified Spots
Hidde Weersma
HYROX filled the remaining Elite 15 positions by progressing down the qualification list until all 15 spots were accepted.
How To Qualify for the World Championships from The HYROX Majors
The top three men and top three women at each Major qualify for the 2026 World Championships in Sweden. Roll-downs apply when an athlete has already secured qualification at a previous Major.
Men already qualified from the first two Majors are Alexander Roncevic (1st Hamburg), Dylan Scott (2nd Hamburg), Hidde Weersma (3rd Hamburg), Tim Wenisch (1st Melbourne), Hunter McIntyre (2nd Melbourne), and Charlie Botterill (3rd Melbourne).
With Alexander Roncevic, Dylan Scott, and Charlie Botterill already qualified and racing in Phoenix, World Championship qualification roll-downs could extend beyond third place depending on results.
Related HYROX Coverage
How To Watch HYROX Phoenix Major 2026
HYROX Phoenix Major 2026: Elite 15 Women’s Start List, Roll-Downs, and Qualification Breakdown