Arnold Sports Festival 2026 Dates, Event Schedule and More for Arnold Classic

The Arnold Sports Festival is headed back to Columbus, Ohio. While it certainly feels like every year brings the biggest festival to date, the 2026 iteration promises to be a truly special event.

Arnold Schwarzenegger competed in a bodybuilding contest in Columbus in 1970, and in 1976, he began promoting bodybuilding events with Arnold Sports Festival co-founder Jim Lorimer.

"It's the 50th anniversary of (Schwarzenegger) promoting bodybuilding events in Columbus, so we'll be doing some special things to celebrate," event director Brent LaLonde said, per Belinda M. Paschal of The Columbus Dispatch.

This year's festival, which runs from March 5 to March 8, will feature events centered around martial arts, wrestling, dance competitions, fitness, and more. Of course, the marquee events are the bodybuilding competitions, headlined by the Arnold Classic.

The Arnold Classic has become the No. 2 International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) competition behind The Olympia and regularly draws some of the biggest names in the business.

For fans who plan to attend the festival, events will be held at multiple locations, including the Columbus Convention Center, the Ohio Expo Center, and the Hilton Columbus Downtown—though the Columbus Convention Center will host the majority of major events.

Complete scheduling, venue and ticket information can be found at the official website of the Arnold Sports Festival, where fans can also register to livestream marquee events. For fans hoping to attend or watch from home, here's a look at what's ahead.

Arnold Sports Festival 2026, Schedule of Key Events (all times ET)

Thursday, March 5

USA Weightlifting 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Arnold Amateur 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

IFBB Pro League Meet and Greet 7 - 9 p.m.

Friday, March 6

Arm Wrestling 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

USA Powerlifting 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Strongest Firefighter Prelims 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Arnold Expo 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

XPC Powerlifting 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

USA Weightlifting 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Arnold Strongman Classic 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Arnold Strongwoman Classic 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Arnold Classic Physique Prejudging 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Fitness International Prejudging 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Wellness International Prejudging 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Arnold Classic Men's Open Prejudging 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Wellness International Finals 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Fitness International Finals 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Arnold Classic Physique Finals 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 7

USA Weightlifting 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Youth Dancesport 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

World Martial Arts 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Grappling 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Arm Wrestling 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Pro Wheelchair 10 - 11 a.m.

Strongest Firefighter Truck Pull Finals 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Arnold Expo 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

XPC Powerlifting 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

USA Powerlifting 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Arnold Strongman Classic 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Amateur Strongman 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Arnold Men's Physique Prejudging 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Bikini International Prejudging 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Strongest Firefighter Finals 1:15 - 4 p.m.

Arnold Men's Physique Finals 7 - 10 p.m.

Arnold Classic Men's Open Finals 7 - 10 p.m.

Bikini International Finals 7 - 10 p.m.

Sunday, March 8

USA Weightlifting 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Youth Dancesport 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Global Traditional Martial Arts 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Grappling 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Arm Wrestling 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Arnold Showcase 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Amateur Strongman 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

USA Powerlifting 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

XPC Powerlifting 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Arnold Expo 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

5K Pump & Run 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Arnold Classic Preview

As is usually the case in Columbus, the Men's Open will feature many of the world's top IFBB pros, and for a few good reasons. The Arnold Classic ranks second in prestige behind only the Olympia. This year, it will also feature the biggest monetary prize in the sport.

The $1.5 million prize pool will award a record $750,000 to the winner, more than the $600,000 taken home by 2025 Olympia winner Derek Lunsford. $250,000 will be awarded to second place, while the third-place winner will receive $150,000.

Lunsford, who also won the 2025 Arnold Classic, won't be in this year's lineup. However, past Classic winners Nick Walker, Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry will. Choopan is also the 2022 Olympia winner and has been the Olympia runner-up in each of the past three years.

The list of top contenders also includes Martin Fitzwater, Raphael Brandão, and Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, better known as Andrew Jacked. Anthony Williams, Akim Williams, Hassan Mostafa, and Mohamed Foda will round out the field.

With 10 of the world's best taking the stage, the Arnold Classic is going to bring a tight competition. It may also not feature a winner that is clear and obvious to all.

"Hadi does not win all the poses," legendary bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto said in a recent YouTube video (h/t Doug Murray of Fitness Volt). "Andrew does not win all the poses. By definition, you have a close, tight race, and factor in Martin and factor in Nick, they have strong poses that are just impressive. I think, as usual, it's going to be somewhat of a challenge to judge."

While the judges may not have a joyous time trying to sort through the posing routines, the Arnold Classic should be a thrilling spectacle for everyone else in attendance.