Qualify for the EXR Invitational 2026: Race your way to Birmingham
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What if your next 5K could earn you a place in the live EXR Invitational Final in Birmingham? This autumn, rowers from around the world can race from home in a series of online 5K qualifiers and put their fastest time on the leaderboard.
There are 14 qualification races across September and October, so you have multiple chances to improve your result. And you don't need to be fighting for the top of the leaderboard to take part: complete any EXR Invitational qualifier and you'll unlock the exclusive EXR Invitational badge, regardless of your finish time.
Race for Birmingham. Race for a new PB. Or race for the badge.
Choose Your QualifierView the Leaderboard
What is the EXR Invitational?
The EXR Invitational is EXR's flagship indoor rowing competition, combining online qualification with a live 5K final. Rowers compete in official qualification events inside EXR, with their best performance counting towards the qualification leaderboard.
At the end of the qualification period, the 40 fastest male and 40 fastest female eligible rowers will be invited to the live EXR Invitational Final on December 6, 2026 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, during the 2026 World Rowing Indoor Championships.
The first EXR Invitational in 2025 brought together rowers of all levels, from recreational competitors taking on the challenge to elite athletes racing for the win. Olympic bronze medallist Holly Dunford won the women’s race, while indoor rowing champion Ward Lemmelijn took first place in the men’s race.
In 2026, we’re giving more rowers the chance to earn their place on one of indoor rowing’s biggest stages. With 14 online qualifiers, you don’t need to be a professional athlete to take your shot. Put down a fast enough 5K and you could line up alongside some of the biggest names in the sport at the World Rowing Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
How to qualify for the EXR Invitational
- Choose a qualifier
Pick one of the upcoming EXR Invitational qualification events. - Race the 5K
Connect your rowing machine, join the live event and race from home. - Get on the leaderboard
Your result is added to the official EXR Invitational qualification leaderboard. - Race again to go faster
Join as many qualifiers as you like. Only your fastest 5K counts towards your final ranking.
Every qualifier is another opportunity to improve your time. Had a bad start? Go again. Think you have a faster 5K in you? Pick another event and try to move up the leaderboard.
Choose your next EXR Invitational qualifier
The qualification series runs until October 22, with races scheduled at different times to give rowers around the world multiple opportunities to take part. Every qualifier is raced over 5K on Henley Homecoming.
Remaining qualification events:
Don't wait until the final race to find out what you're capable of. Pick a qualifier, put down your first time and use the remaining events to try to go faster.
Choose Your QualifierView the Leaderboard
Race it. Finish it. Unlock the badge.
The EXR Invitational isn't only for rowers chasing a place in Birmingham. Complete one qualifier and you'll unlock the exclusive EXR Invitational badge, no matter your finish time or leaderboard position.
Chasing a PB? Use the qualifier as your next 5K challenge. Want to be part of the Invitational without competing for a top spot? Finish the race and add the badge to your collection.
Who can enter?
The EXR Invitational qualifiers are open to anyone aged 18 or over with an EXR account. Any rowing machine that works with EXR can be used during qualification, and you can even take part while using the EXR free trial. Participation in the qualification races is free for eligible EXR users.
What happens if you qualify?
After qualification closes, the fastest eligible athletes on the leaderboard will receive an invitation to Birmingham. The EXR Invitational Final takes place on December 6, 2026, where finalists will race another 5K live and side by side on Concept2 RowErgs.
Finalists receive complimentary athlete entry on Sunday, an EXR goodie bag and an official EXR Invitational finisher medal. The top 10 finishers in the Final also receive cash prizes, with £1,500 for first place, £1,000 for second and £500 for third, with prize money extending through tenth place.
Ready to race?
Your next 5K could put you on the road to Birmingham, set a new personal best or unlock the exclusive EXR Invitational badge. Choose a qualifier and get on the start line.
Choose Your QualifierView the Leaderboard
Learn more about the EXR Invitational 2026
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