Arnold Classic Europe 2019: Dates, Schedule, Prize Money, Top Bodybuilders, More

The 2019 Arnold Classic Europe starts on Friday in Barcelona, Spain, with the event being held in the city for the fourth consecutive year.

The biggest names in European bodybuilding will be in attendance, including men's open champion Michael Krizanek.

An array of categories will be judged at ACE 2019, but the bodybuilding will be the major draw for most spectators.

The expo is named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the elite professional competition will be held on Saturday.

A prize fund of $60,000 (€53,877) will be on offer over five categories, with the winner taking home $10,000 (€8,980), according to the competition's official website.

Here's a list of this year's participants in the main bodybuilding category.

ACE 2019 Elite Pro Show Schedule

Saturday

Semi-final: 5 p.m. (local), 4 p.m. (BST), 11 a.m. (ET)

Final: 7 p.m. (local), 6 p.m. (BST), 1 p.m. (ET)

A full running order for the weekend can be found here.

Preview

Krizanek will be attempting to win at the Arnold Classic Europe for a second year in a row.

The super-heavyweight was a breakout star of 2018, claiming the IFBB Elite Pro World Championship crown shortly after his success at ACE 2018.

At 28, the Slovakian bodybuilder is still a relative newcomer to the sport after starting to compete just two years ago.

Schwarzenegger posted a tweet after Krizanek's victory last year:

Poland's Szymon Lada will also feature once again after finishing second to Krizanek last year. The 31-year-old was the 2015 world champion, and he will be a credible threat to the field.

Brandon Curry won the 2019 Mr. Olympia title on Sunday, but the American will miss the forthcoming championship in Barcelona.

Michael Muzo placed third at last year's ACE event, but the Dutchman will also be absent. However, Germany's Alexander Westermeier will feature after placing fourth at ACE in 2018.

Home fans will be excited to see Toni Gutierrez perform, after the Spaniard placed 13th in the competition last year.