Arnold Sports Festival 2016: Dates, Event Schedule and More for Arnold Classic

Bodybuilding, wrestling, modeling, martial arts, break dancing, fencing and even arm wrestling are just a handful of the 50 events set to take Columbus, Ohio, by storm this weekend at the Arnold Sports Festival. 

The annual festival is a global event sure to draw folks from all over the world. This edition is the only one to take place in North America each year, with the others taking place in Asia, Australia, Brazil, Europe and South Africa.

From an expo with more than 900 booths to a kids and teens expo to one of the most notable bodybuilding competitions in the world headlining the 50 events, this weekend's event will once again have something for everyone. Here's a look at the schedule:

Date	Time (ET)
Thursday, March 3	6-11 p.m.
Friday, March 4	8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 5	8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 6	8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Full list of event schedules available at ArnoldSportsFestival.com.

Let's start small and work our way up. The aforementioned kids and teen expo, according to the page on the event's website, features more than 30,000 square feet for events and special appearances by notables such as Randy Couture.

Getting an MMA legend involved in the festivities is just the beginning. The NFL gets involved in the event this year and will send Hall of Famer Orlando Pace to help put on a Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition.

Event spokesman Matt Lorz sent an email to Evan Weese of Columbus Business First about the new addition.

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame is hosting a three-day event in the Terrace Ballroom at the Convention Center. It’s like a combine for youth, where they learn football techniques,” Lorz said. “A highlight ... will be a chalk talk for the kids with Orlando Pace.”

The old details about the event shouldn't go unnoticed, of course. Once again, more than 900 booths will line the crowded expo floor for anyone who wants to drop some coin while in town. Supplement companies, equipment, apparel and more will be available to those who dare to wade through the expected 185,000 attendees.

The festival continues to come up with more ways for attendees to get involved, too. This year, the organizers have decided to use the power of social media to give attendees a chance to win a lunch with Arnold Schwarzenegger by winning the #ArnoldStatue Instagram Photo Contest.

The Arnold Statue Instagram account has captured all of the submissions so far, with notables such as this:

The biggest draw is the Arnold Classic, of course.

Dexter Jackson won last year and made history in the process with his fifth title. This year, the buzz surrounds Kai Greene, who won in 2009 and 2010 but hasn't competed in the event since.

Before his epic return this weekend, Greene finished second in the Mr. Olympia contests in 2012 and 2013, growing into one of the sport's most popular names.

Accompanying Greene's much-anticipated return to the event are rule changes widely heralded as better for the sport. Unlike before, the posing routine will now be judged separately and adding to the scores. Schwarzenegger spoke with Bodybuilding.com about the changes.

"It's about how to include the art of posing into the judging procedure. I feel that posing has not progressed in bodybuilding," Schwarzenegger, said. "What it means for bodybuilders is that they have to train more for posing. No more shaking! Frank Zane used to hold a pose for three minutes, smiling!"

With the global sports festival innovating every year to keep the crown and bringing back major names like Greene for the marquee event, it's no wonder folks have had this weekend circled on their calendars since the last one ended.

Sports enthusiasts would be wise to keep track of this weekend's event, which will once again dominate the headlines.

Information courtesy of ArnoldSportsFestival.com unless otherwise specified.