The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24–27, 2026, at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will bring together elite bodybuilders from around the world as qualified athletes prepare to compete for the coveted Olympia titles.
The 2026 Mr. Olympia qualification season runs from September 15 through August 30, 2026. Since the IFBB removed the traditional points-based qualification system in 2022 for most divisions, athletes generally qualify through show victories rather than accumulating points. For selected divisions, competitors must secure two qualifying wins during the season to earn a place at the Olympia.
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Start Date | September 24, 2026 |
| End Date | September 27, 2026 |
| Channel | OlympiaTV |
What Is Mr. Olympia?
Mr. Olympia is the flagship event of the professional bodybuilding calendar, bringing together qualified athletes from around the world. The Olympia weekend features multiple divisions, including Men’s Open, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Wellness, Figure, Fitness, Women’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, and Pro Wheelchair.
For 2026, Olympia weekend is scheduled for September 24–27 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
How to Watch Mr. Olympia 2026?
Fans who cannot attend the event in Las Vegas can follow the official viewing and broadcast information through the Mr. Olympia website. Availability, streaming options, and PPV details can vary, so viewers should check the official event information as Olympia approaches.
Mr. Olympia Schedule 2026
The 2026 Mr Olympia weekend runs from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27.
The weekend includes athlete activities, prejudging, finals, and competitions across the different Olympia divisions. Exact stage times should be confirmed through the official schedule closer to the event.
Qualified Athletes for Mr. Olympia 2026
The 2026 field already includes a large collection of international competitors.
The Men’s Open field includes names such as Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, Brandon Curry, Andrew Jacked, William Bonac, Martin Fitzwater and Michal Krizo.
Other divisions also feature established competitors, including Keone Pearson in Men’s 212, Ramon Rocha Queiroz, Terrence Ruffin, Mike Sommerfeld and Wesley Vissers in Classic Physique, and Andrea Shaw in Ms. Olympia.
The qualified list can continue changing until the qualification period closes.
Mr. Olympia Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Mr. Olympia competition prize pool continues to grow like never before. The total prize pool is expected to reach or exceed $2 million across all weight classes, a significant increase from the $1.80 million awarded in 2024. The Men’s Open champion will take home an incredible $600,000.
Mr. Olympia 2025 Winners List
The 2025 winners provide useful context when looking at the 2026 competition.
Rather than judging the 2026 field solely by previous results, fans should consider current conditioning, recent contest performances, qualification status and improvements between seasons.
This is particularly important because Olympia bodybuilding can change dramatically from one year to the next.
Olympia 2026 Breakdown
The 2026 Olympia can be viewed through three major questions:
- Who has already qualified?
- Who could still enter the field?
- Who has the strongest chance of winning?
The qualification system differs between divisions. Some athletes qualify through previous Olympia placings or contest victories, while several divisions use a combination of points and multiple contest wins.
That makes the qualification season an important part of the Olympia story rather than simply a preliminary stage.
Men’s Open Preview
The Men’s Open will naturally receive enormous attention.
The current lineup includes former champions, Olympia veterans and emerging contenders. Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, Brandon Curry and Andrew Jacked are among the names likely to generate significant fan discussion.
The biggest factor will be who brings the best overall package on Olympia weekend—including size, conditioning, symmetry, presentation and stage presence.
Women’s Open Preview
The women’s competitions offer several different divisions, each with its own judging criteria and competitive style.
Ms. Olympia remains the premier women’s bodybuilding division, while Bikini, Wellness, Figure, Fitness and Women’s Physique provide additional high-level competitions.
Fans should watch how returning champions and established contenders compare with athletes making their first major Olympia appearance.
Other Divisions to Watch at Olympia
Classic Physique is particularly popular because of its emphasis on aesthetics and classic proportions. Men’s Physique offers another highly competitive field, while Bikini and Wellness continue to attract major international audiences.
Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique, Fit Model and Pro Wheelchair also add different styles and competitive storylines to the weekend.
When to Watch the Olympia ?
The 2026 Olympia takes place September 24–27, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Because the weekend contains multiple competitions and sessions, fans should check the official Olympia schedule for the exact start time of their preferred division.
Mr. Olympia FAQs
When is Mr. Olympia 2026?
September 24–27, 2026.
Where is Mr. Olympia 2026?
Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who can compete at Olympia?
Only athletes who satisfy the qualification requirements for their respective divisions.
Can the qualified athlete list change?
Yes. Additional athletes can qualify while the qualification period remains open.
Which divisions compete at Olympia?
The weekend includes Men’s Open, Men’s 212, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, Fitness, Figure, Bikini, Women’s Physique, Wellness, Fit Model and Pro Wheelchair.
Mr. Olympia Fans Blog
The Olympia isn’t only about the final results. Fans follow qualification battles, athlete improvements, predictions, training updates, contest results and lineup changes throughout the season.
A dedicated fan-focused section can help readers follow these developments and discuss which athletes they believe could make the biggest impact in Las Vegas.
The Fan Channel
A fan channel can provide a more community-driven experience with:
- Olympia predictions
- Athlete comparisons
- Qualification updates
- Division previews
- Competition reactions
- Live-result discussions
- Post-show analysis
The goal should be to help fans understand why an athlete is considered a contender, rather than simply listing names and results.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24–27 in Las Vegas, and the qualified field is already developing across all major divisions.
The biggest storylines to follow are:
1. The final qualification lineup
2. The Men’s Open championship battle
3. The continued growth of Classic Physique and Wellness
4. Returning champions versus emerging contenders
5. Final athlete conditioning heading into Olympia weekend
6. Official schedule and viewing information
7. Results and division-by-division championship battles
For fans, the most exciting part is that the story is still being written. The qualification list gives us the starting point, but the final Olympia stage will determine who truly stands above the competition.
