Image credit: DEKA
DEKA, the global fitness racing brand created by the team behind Spartan™, has officially announced that the 2026 DEKA World Championship will take place in Fort Worth, Texas from December 10th-13th 2026, bringing the world’s best fitness racing athletes together for four days of elite competition, community celebration, and Texas-sized intensity.
Hosted at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the fifth DEKA World Championship marks the brand’s biggest and most ambitious championship event to date. Located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, the venue offers more than 250,000 square feet of competition space, creating a true championship arena atmosphere where DEKA FIT, DEKA MILE, and DEKA STRONG races can run simultaneously across multiple stages of competition.
Known for blending authentic cowboy culture with modern city energy, Fort Worth provides a unique backdrop for the next chapter of DEKA’s global growth. From the iconic Stockyards National Historic District and twice-daily cattle drives to the vibrant restaurants and entertainment of Sundance Square, the city delivers an experience designed to feel as memorable outside the arena as it does inside it. The four-day championship weekend will feature invite-only DEKA FIT, MILE, and STRONG World Championship races from December 10th–12th, with athletes earning qualification throughout the 2026 season at sanctioned DEKA events worldwide. Saturday’s schedule will feature both invite-only World Championship heats and open-to-the-public DEKA STRONG heats, giving fans and athletes the chance to compete alongside the championship atmosphere. The event will culminate on December 13th with a full day of public DEKA STRONG competition, giving the local community and visiting spectators the opportunity to step onto the championship floor and experience DEKA firsthand. The Fort Worth Convention Center’s central downtown location places athletes within walking distance of major hotels, restaurants, and entertainment, while remaining just 20 minutes from DFW International Airport, making it one of the most accessible championship destinations in DEKA history. Additional destination and event information can be found via the official Fort Worth DEKA visitor guide. Adding to the atmosphere is the Fort Worth Water Gardens, located adjacent to the venue, offering athletes and spectators a striking recovery and social space throughout the week-long celebration of fitness racing.
Yancy Culp, Co-Creator and Senior Director of DEKA, said: “As a native Texan who grew up farming and ranching just north of Fort Worth, I’m beyond fired up to celebrate fitness for four straight days inside the DEKA World Championship Arena alongside the best DEKA athletes from around the world.”
He added: “Fort Worth is known for blending authentic Texas cowboy culture with a modern big-city vibe. It’s where the West begins. In Fort Worth, we celebrate daily cattle drives, rodeos, western wear, honky tonks and this December, celebrating fitness will officially be added to that legendary list.”
The event is being delivered in partnership with the Fort Worth Sports Commission, a division of Visit Fort Worth dedicated to positioning the city as a premier international sports destination.
Drew Hays, Executive Director, Fort Worth Sports Commission, said: “We’re proud to welcome the DEKA World Championship to Fort Worth and showcase our city to athletes and supporters from across the globe. DEKA’s energy, community spirit, and competitive atmosphere align perfectly with Fort Worth’s reputation as a world class sports destination, and we’re excited to help create an unforgettable championship experience.”
Built around measurable performance and repeatable challenges, DEKA has rapidly established itself as one of the fastest growing formats in fitness racing worldwide. Athletes return not simply to finish, but to improve - chasing personal bests, earning their DEKA Marks, and testing themselves against the global community.
From elite world championship racing to first time participants stepping onto the competition floor for the public DEKA STRONG, Fort Worth 2026 represents the full scale of what DEKA has become: a global fitness racing movement built on grit, progression, and community. Make your Mark. Set It. Beat It. Repeat It.