Mat Lock is the Technical Director of HYROX. I spoke with him prior to the kick off of The 2026 HYROX World Championships in Stockholm to find out what goes on behind the scenes when judging, how HYROX are embracing technological advancements, and what he puts in place to make the races as smooth and fair as possible.
Enhanced VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
“On the technical side, we have significantly enhanced our VAR capabilities throughout this season. The system now comprises dedicated spotters, a VAR operator, and the Race Director, all supported by strategically positioned cameras designed to provide optimal race coverage. These cameras provide high resolution replay and slow motion capability to support officiating decisions.”
“Importantly, all decisions remain on the race floor. The VAR serves as a decision support tool for me as Technical Director, providing feedback and replay content via remote screens that I can access during the race. It is not intended to adjudicate movement standards such as feet on lines, knee contact, or rep quality. Those remain the responsibility of the Head Judges assigned to each athlete and station.”
“Instead, VAR is primarily used to assist with matters such as course deviations, littering, rapid cooling, unsporting behavior, and other race integrity considerations where video review can provide additional clarity.”
Reviews During the Races
“One aspect that is often not visible to spectators is the number of reviews conducted during a race that ultimately result in no further action. Naturally, the live stream and audience tend only to become aware of reviews that lead to a penalty or sanction.”
“Overall, the capability is another important step in strengthening the integrity of the sport as it continues to evolve.”
Want to see the action this week? Here is how to watch the 2026 HYROX World Championships live from your time zone.
