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Mr. Olympia 2026 Field Is Final: 12 Divisions, Every Qualified Athlete Confirmed

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The qualification period ended on August 30, and the list of participants for Olympia 2026 is now closed. No wildcards, late entries, or appeals will be accepted.

The most significant change is the scale of the event. On August 11, 219 athletes had secured their spots. After the final ranking based on points, the number has risen to approximately 351 across the twelve divisions—more than half in just three weeks.

The final standings for each division and the three ties are shown below.

The Field, Division by Division

Division 11 August Final
Classic Physique 22 52
Men’s Physique 24 51
Bikini 23 50
Wellness 16 42
Figure 31 34
Men’s Open 22 24
212 22 24
Women’s Physique 16 18
Fit Model 13 18
Wheelchair 9 15
Ms. Olympia 11 12
Fitness 10 11
Total 219 ~351

A clarification regarding that total is warranted. Athletes marked as “Qualified” on the official IFBB Pro League list are automatically confirmed. The added points correspond to our own count of the top 25 in each division’s published rankings; the League publishes the complete rankings rather than establishing a visible dividing line. Therefore, consider 351 as our interpretation of the official figures, not as a number announced by the IFBB.

The pattern becomes clear upon analysis. Four divisions drove almost all of the growth. Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness are the four that operate on the two-win or top-25 ranking system, and each of them practically doubled its number of athletes overnight when the rankings closed. The other divisions saw an increase of two or three athletes at most.

This is how the points system works, and it’s worth understanding why. Those four divisions had reached almost 60 athletes qualified for the 2025 edition. The reform aimed to reduce them to a manageable size, and with around 50 each, it has succeeded, although not as drastically as some had hoped.

Three Spots Came Down to a Tie

This is the part nobody has covered, and it is the most interesting thing in the final numbers.

The wheelchair competition is the most competitive of the entire event. Only the top five in the points standings qualify. Will Anthony, Blake Colleton, Tory Jones, and Gaylon Grigsby took the top four spots. The fifth and final spot is shared by two men with the same score of 10 points: Ravinder Singh and Antonio Matkovic. One spot, two athletes, the same number.

In Wellness, four women are tied for a single spot. The twenty-fifth and final position is contested by Chelsea Warnes, Bimat Thi Mai, Kristina Zdorikova, and Karla Sanchez, all with 10 points. Giselle Machado, on the other hand, won with 50 points.

In Classic Physique, four men are tied with 15 points for the last three spots: Luis Roberto Valenzuela Ramos, Matheus Menegate Piccioli, Tae Min Jung, and Jordan Plantiko.

None of these situations are resolved solely by the rankings. According to the regulations published by the League, ties are broken by the level of the competitions where the points were earned and the positions achieved; therefore, an athlete who earned points in a higher-level competition with a better result has priority over someone who reached the same total more gradually. Two men with 10 points may have had very different seasons, and that is precisely the purpose of the rule.

In the Bikini category, it is worth noting that the ranking was clear. Uyanga Bataa finished in 25th place with 18 points, while the next athlete had 17.

Who Joined, and Who Missed

The Men’s Open division added three notable names. Nick Walker secured his spot following his victory at the Tampa Pro on August 1. Regan Grimes and Patrick Moore also made the final roster, bringing the total number of entrants to 24.

The 212 division added Breon Ansley, along with Andrey Pereira, bringing its total to 24 entrants, trailing only the defending champion, Keone Pearson. Shaun Clarida remains on the roster for both the 212 and Men’s Open divisions.

The most significant absence, though not anticipated, is now confirmed. Jeremy Buendia finished the season with 10 points in Men’s Physique, well outside the top 25 cut. The four-time champion will watch from the sidelines as Ryan Terry seeks his fourth title and aims to surpass Buendia’s record.

The Fit Model division saw the largest proportional increase outside of the points divisions, jumping from 13 to 18 entrants. It remains the newest division on the show and the only one without a defending champion.

What Happens Now

The participant lists are set. From here on out, the focus shifts entirely to physical fitness, and the schedule is tight.

The Olympia weekend takes place from September 24-27 in Las Vegas. The Classic Physique, 212, Ms. Olympia, Figure, Women’s Physique, and Wellness categories will be decided on Friday night at the Orleans Arena, along with the Mr. Olympia preliminary competition. The Fitness, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Men’s Open finals will be held on Saturday night.

Three weeks before the event, the 2026 prize purse has not yet been announced.

Read next: Mr. Olympia 2026 Qualified Athletes: Full List for All 12 Divisions · Mr. Olympia 2026 Prize Money · Men’s Open Preview

Quick Answers

How many athletes qualified for the 2026 Mr. Olympia? Roughly 351 across all twelve divisions, based on our count of the official IFBB Pro League list and points standings. That is up from 219 on 11 August.

When did 2026 Olympia qualification close? 30 August 2026. The window opened on 15 September 2025.

Which division has the most qualified athletes? Classic Physique, at around 52, narrowly ahead of Men’s Physique and Bikini.

Can any athlete still qualify? No. The window is shut. There are no wildcards and no late additions.

How are points ties broken? By the level of the contests where the points were earned and the placings achieved, per the IFBB Pro League’s published rules.

Did Jeremy Buendia qualify? No. He finished the Men’s Physique points season on 10, well outside the top 25.

Is Nick Walker in the Men’s Open field? Yes. He qualified by winning the Men’s Open at the Tampa Pro on 1 August.

Division counts taken from the IFBB Pro League’s official 2026 qualified athletes list on 2 September 2026. Athletes marked “Qualified” are confirmed by the League; points-based totals reflect our count of the top 25 in each division’s published standings. Tied positions are resolved by the League under its published tiebreak rules and may not be reflected on the public list immediately.

Mr. Olympia 2026 Qualification Closes Sunday: Who’s Still Fighting for a Spot

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Sunday night, the door shuts.

The qualifying season for the 2026 Olympia ends on August 30, closing the period that opened on September 15 of last year. From then on, there will be no wildcards, no last-minute additions, and no appeals. Whoever is on the list will go to Las Vegas. Whoever isn’t, won’t.

Here’s what’s still undecided with three days to go.

The Wheelchair Race Is the Tightest

The men’s wheelchair competition operates under its own rules: the top three from Olympia 2025, all winners of the season’s professional competitions, and the top five in the points standings qualify.

This is where the key lies. Two athletes have established a clear lead at the top of the standings. Below them, three athletes are tied with the same score, and another group is just one point behind.

Three men, three available spots, and a tie that the standings alone cannot resolve.

How the Ties Actually Get Broken

This is the part almost nobody explains, and it decides several places this weekend.

The IFBB Pro League rules stipulate that ties in the points standings are resolved based on the level of competition and the final position achieved. In other words, if two athletes finish with the same number of points, the athlete who earned those points in higher-level competitions and with better results wins.

This is important because the season is divided into tiers. The Arnold Classic USA, the Pittsburgh Pro, the New York Pro, the Romania Muscle Fest Pro, and the Dubai Pro are the highest-level competitions; a second-place finish in any of these awards 14 points, and fifth place, 7. In other professional competitions, a win awards 10 points, and fifth place, 1.

Therefore, two athletes can reach the same total through very different paths, and the path chosen is what determines the result.

Four Divisions Still Have Points Spots Open

Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini and Wellness all run on the new two-track system: two pro wins, or a top-25 points finish.

Winning one of the five major tournaments qualifies you directly. For the rest, you must win them twice or accumulate enough points.

Athletes who have already qualified are safe. What’s at stake is the lower end of each top 25, where the differences between positions are so small that a good result at a season-ending event can make one team qualify and knock another out. In each of these four divisions, the points leaders have a clear advantage, but the cut-off line is incredibly tight.

Standings shift with every contest. The IFBB Pro League publishes the definitive list, and it’s the only one worth trusting in the final days.

Seven Divisions Are Open to the Wire

Men’s Open, 212, Ms. Olympia, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique and Fit Model work differently. No points maths — win a pro show during the qualifying window and you’re in.

This means any of these seven lists could grow overnight between now and Sunday. Nick Walker secured his spot in the Men’s Open this way at the Tampa Pro on August 1, weeks after most of the field had already been determined.

Former champions are eligible for life, but it’s not automatic. If more than five years have passed since an athlete’s last Olympia victory, they need IFBB Pro League approval to participate.

One More Deadline Tomorrow

While it doesn’t directly affect athletes, if you have a ticket, it’s important to know: August 28th is the last day to transfer Olympia VIP packages. After tomorrow, no transfers will be allowed. All three VIP categories sold out at the beginning of the month, so currently, the only option is to transfer your ticket.

What Happens Monday

Once registration closes, the list of participants will be final. The official qualifier list will become the final roster for all twelve divisions, and the focus will shift entirely to who will be taking what to Las Vegas from September 24-27.

We will update our full list of qualified athletes with the final numbers as soon as qualification closes.

Quick Answers

When does Mr. Olympia 2026 qualification close? Sunday 30 August 2026. The window opened on 15 September 2025.

Can athletes still qualify this week? Yes. In seven divisions, winning any pro show still earns a place. In the four-point divisions, late results can move athletes into the top 25.

What happens if athletes tie on points? Ties are broken using contest level and placing — points earned at higher-tier shows and better finishes take priority.

Are there wildcards or special invitations? No. Once the window closes, the field is final.

Which division has the closest qualification race? Men’s Wheelchair, where only the top five in points qualify, and several athletes are level near the cut.

Qualification rules per the IFBB Pro League’s published 2026 system. Points standings change with each contest — check the official qualified athletes page for the live position. Written 27 August 2026.

Mr. Olympia 2026 Classic Physique Preview: Can Ramon Dino Hold Off Mike Sommerfeld Again?

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One point. That’s what separated Ramon Queiroz from Mike Sommerfeld in Las Vegas last October — the closest finish in any division on the card.

They meet again on September 25, and this time Sommerfeld comes in with a victory over the man who defeated them both at the Arnold Classic. Ramón “Dino” Queiroz enters as champion, and has spent the entire year in top form.

Classic Physique is decided during Friday evening’s show at the Orleans Arena. Here’s where it stands.

Ramon Dino: The Champion Who Waited

Queiroz was the division’s perennial runner-up for years. Two silver medals behind Chris Bumstead, a fourth place in 2024, four top-five Olympia finishes without the win.

When Bumstead retired and the title went vacant, he took it — beating Sommerfeld and Terrence Ruffin to become only the fourth Classic Physique Olympia champion in history. The crowd came off their feet when his name was called. The prize was $100,000, double what the division paid the year before.

What set him apart in the final wasn’t his size, but his physique and presentation. He appeared more defined and muscular than in the earlier morning’s evaluation, and the judges rewarded him for it.

His approach to 2026 has been different from most defending champions. Instead of building muscle mass and then cutting it, he has maintained a lean physique throughout the season. During preparation, he measured his forearms at 43 centimeters (17 inches), and on August 19, he posted an update showing minimal body fat with approximately five and a half weeks to go before the competition.

Furthermore, head judge Steve Weinberger formally evaluated his physique and posing, a wise decision that demonstrates he is serious about his rematch against Sommerfeld.

Case for: Reigning champion, world-class arms, and a poser whose front double biceps and lat spread hold up against shorter, thicker rivals. Case against: Weinberger has indicated back improvements will decide this defense, and Wesley Vissers claims Ramon is carrying more weight right now than he should be this close in.

Mike Sommerfeld: Twice Second, and the Weight Cap Problem

Nobody in the division has been closer to a title without winning one. Runner-up in 2024, runner-up in 2025, and that second one by a single point.

He earned it in brutal circumstances. Sommerfeld had to drop 14 pounds in two days before the 2025 show to make the Classic Physique weight cap — and still brought what commentators called his best-ever package. Veins visible, hamstrings sharp, a front lat spread that was the single best shot of the round.

That weight cap is the recurring theme of his career, and in 2026 it cost him outright. He missed the limit at the Arnold Classic in Columbus and had to withdraw before stepping onstage.

For those who don’t closely follow this division: Classic Physique establishes a maximum competition weight based on each athlete’s height. This rule prevents the division from becoming an open competition. Tall, powerfully built athletes like Sommerfeld are always at a disadvantage.

He bounced back in Birmingham, defeating Wesley Vissers at the Arnold Classic UK. And, interestingly, Vissers later stated that Sommerfeld’s physique there was the best he had ever shown, more defined than when he faced Bumstead, and a step above Ramon’s.

Arguments for: Two years of missed opportunities, the best physique of his career, and the psychological advantage of the Birmingham victory. Arguments against: The weight cut. He has to make weight before he can prove his worth.

Wesley Vissers: The Wildcard

The Dutchman rebuilt his year and inserted himself straight back into the conversation.

After a poor 2025, he added leg thickness and definition in the off-season and cashed it in immediately — winning the 2026 Arnold Classic in Columbus, then the Detroit Pro decisively. He lost narrowly to Sommerfeld at the Arnold UK, but the momentum is real.

He’s also beaten Ramon before, at the 2024 Arnold Classic, which nobody saw coming at the time.

Dennis James rates his chances but set a hard condition: Vissers needs to be 100%, because 99% isn’t enough. The reasoning is structural — Vissers is one of the tallest men in the division, and while his waist isn’t the smallest, the way he displays his physique is about as classic as the division gets. Height and width only work if the conditioning is flawless.

Vissers himself has been more measured than his rivals, saying he’s confident of winning an Olympia within the next three years rather than claiming this one.

The Rest of the Field

Terrence Ruffin finished third in 2025 after a year away from the stage, looking polished and arguably at his peak. He is widely considered the best poser in the IFBB Pro League, a division where presentation is a crucial factor, especially compared to other categories.

Josema Munoz was fourth, and brought the hardest condition outside the top three. Niall Darwen was fifth with the fine, tapered line a lot of purists prefer.

Beyond them, Andrea Mammoli, Terrence Ruffin, Piotr Wojtowicz and Wesley Vissers are all through, along with around twenty others — and because Classic Physique is a points division, the field grows again when standings lock on 30 August.

The Verdict

This is the most closely contested fight for the top two spots in the sport right now, and the subplot is minimal.

If Sommerfeld makes weight without issue, he’ll be fresher than he was in 2025 and with a victory over the Arnold Classic champion under his belt. This is a completely different Sommerfeld than the one who lost by a point after a two-day water restriction.

If he struggles again, Ramon has already proven he can win from the middle of a three-way contest, and he’s had a full year to recover from the back injury Weinberger pointed out.

Keep an eye on the pre-judgment comparisons for Friday. In 2025, the judges rotated Ramon, Sommerfeld, and Ruffin around the center repeatedly without revealing their intentions, and the title wasn’t decided until late in the evening. Expect the same thing to happen again.

Read More: Mr. Olympia 2026 Men’s Physique Preview

Quick Answers

Who is the reigning Classic Physique Olympia champion? Ramon Rocha “Dino” Queiroz of Brazil, who won his first title in 2025.

How close was the 2025 Classic Physique Olympia? Ramon Queiroz beat Mike Sommerfeld by one point — the narrowest result on the card.

Why did Mike Sommerfeld miss the 2026 Arnold Classic? He failed to make the Classic Physique weight cap and withdrew before competing. He won the Arnold Classic UK later in the season.

Who won the 2026 Arnold Classic in Classic Physique? Wesley Vissers, who followed it with a win at the Detroit Pro.

When is the Classic Physique final? Friday 25 September at the Orleans Arena, as part of the evening show.

Contest results and athlete updates verified across multiple reports on 22 August 2026. The Classic Physique field is not final until qualification closes on 30 August — we’ll update this preview then.

Mr. Olympia 2026 Men’s Physique Preview: Can Ryan Terry Tie Jeremy Buendia’s Record?

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Ryan Terry has won the last three Men’s Physique Olympia titles. If he wins one more, he will tie Jeremy Buendia’s record of four titles, the number that has defined this division since its inception.

Here’s what makes it interesting. Buendia isn’t competing this September. He’s sitting it out and publicly handicapping the race, including whether his own record survives it.

Finals are Saturday 26 September at the Orleans Arena. Here’s where the division stands.

Ryan Terry: Chasing Number Four

Terry has been the most reliable man in Men’s Physique for three years. Tight waist, balanced proportions, and the Superman pose that’s become his signature.

He earned his third title through sheer hard work. The 2025 final pitted him against four former champions: Erin Banks, Brandon Hendrickson, and Buendia, who had returned to the competition. Ali Bilal, meanwhile, had noticeably improved his physique, the same physique that had earned him the silver medal. The fight became a four-way battle. Terry responded with a visibly broader back and the excellent physical condition that has characterized him for a decade. Bilal took second place for the second year in a row, while Hendrickson finished third.

His 2026 prep has been public and detailed, right down to a 4,852-calorie day of eating he shared during the build.

Buendia’s read on him is generous and blunt at the same time. He says Terry is bringing his all-time best, that Terry wants number four, that he wants to tie him — and that it’s been a goal of his for a long time. If it happens, Buendia says he’ll be the first to congratulate him.

Case for: Three straight titles, a judging panel that clearly rewards his package, and no obvious weakness. Case against: He’s now the target for a lineup that’s deeper than any he’s faced.

Kyron Holden: The Pick Everyone’s Making

If there’s an upset in this division, the money is on Holden.

He won the 2016 Pittsburgh Pro, and since then, the reaction to his physique has only grown. Fouad Abiad directly compared the two and favored Holden, stating that he prefers his waist, considering it smaller and better structured, and describing his chest, shoulder, and back muscles as more voluminous. His verdict was emphatic: Terry has a problem, and if Holden maintains that same physique at the Olympia, he will beat him.

Three days ago, Nick Walker went even further on the Men’s Physique Radio podcast, stating that if Holden shows up with the same physique he had in Pittsburgh, he will win the competition, and that he doesn’t even need to change anything, just replicate it.

Buendia agrees Holden can win, though he framed it as conditional: bring the Pittsburgh package, or the look from Legion in 2022, and there’s a real chance at a first Olympia title.

When the man whose record is at stake, a former Arnold champion, and a current Open contender all independently name the same challenger, that’s worth paying attention to.

Case for: The best structure in the division right now, and momentum from a major win. Case against: He has never done it on the Olympia stage. Peaking in May is not peaking in September.

Ali Bilal: Twice the Bridesmaid

Bilal has finished runner-up to Terry in each of the last two years. Nobody in the division has been closer without winning.

The Afghan-born athlete keeps improving year on year, and he arrives with the clearest possible motivation. Buendia has him in his top four. Two second places usually means one of two things — a ceiling, or a breakthrough coming. This is the year that question gets answered.

The Former Champions

Brandon Hendrickson is a three-time champion who took third in 2025. He’s still in the top-four conversation and has beaten most of this field at some point.

Erin Banks won the 2022 title and finished third in 2024. Across 19 recorded pro contests he has nine wins — a 47% win rate — plus two Arnold Classic titles. He’s shut down retirement talk more than once.

Jeremy Buendia is the one who isn’t here. The four-time champion sits on 10 points in the season standings, well outside qualifying range. The record-holder is watching from the sidelines while the man chasing his record gets his shot.

The Field Is Still Growing

Men’s Physique is a points division under the 2026 rules, which means the lineup isn’t final.

Athletes need two pro wins or a top-25 points finish to qualify. Roughly two dozen have secured places outright, and more will be added when the standings lock on 30 August. Emanuel Hunter and Emerson Costa have been leading the points chase, with Isai Kesek and Heng Zhao close behind.

That’s why the division keeps getting called one of the most stacked in its history — the qualified list is deep before the points additions even land.

The Verdict

Terry is the reigning champion and the favorite, having overcome every challenge for three consecutive years. But the buzz surrounding Holden isn’t just amateur hype; it comes from professional physique judges, and they all agree.

Don’t miss Saturday morning’s preliminary round. The Men’s Physique title is decided in the comparisons, where waist and shoulder-to-waist ratios are meticulously analyzed. If Holden is next to Terry in the first round and holds his own, the record will truly be on the line.

If not, Terry ties Buendia and the division has a new benchmark.

Check Out: Men’s Open Preview and Qualified Athletes

Quick Answers

Who is the reigning Men’s Physique Olympia champion? Ryan Terry, who has won three consecutive titles.

What is the Men’s Physique Olympia record? Four titles, held by Jeremy Buendia. Terry can tie it in September.

Is Jeremy Buendia competing in 2026? No. He didn’t qualify and has been sharing predictions instead.

Who is the biggest threat to Ryan Terry? Kyron Holden, the 2026 Pittsburgh Pro champion, named as the main challenger by Buendia, Nick Walker and Fouad Abiad.

When is the Men’s Physique final? Saturday 26 September at the Orleans Arena, with pre-judging that morning at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Contender information verified across contest reporting and athlete statements on 21 August 2026. The Men’s Physique field is not final until qualification closes on 30 August — we’ll update this preview then.

Mr. Olympia 2026 Tickets: VIP Packages Sold Out — Here’s What’s Still Available

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If you were planning to attend the Olympia as a VIP this year, unfortunately, that’s no longer possible. All three packages are sold out: Silver ($995), Silver Plus ($1095), and Gold ($1199). All are listed as sold out on the official website.

The Gold package is the most problematic. It will be allocated first to last year’s Gold VIPs, and the organizers have confirmed that no new participants will be added to the Gold waiting list in 2026. The list is already too long.

The good news is that the most sought-after tickets are still available, and they’re cheaper than you might think.

What’s Still Available

Friday and Saturday finals — both on sale now through the Orleans Arena, starting at $79 plus tax and fees.

Friday at 6:00 pm crowns Figure, Women’s Physique, Wellness, 212, Ms. Olympia and Classic Physique — plus Mr. Olympia pre-judging. Saturday at 7:00 pm is Fitness, Men’s Physique, Bikini and Mr. Olympia.

Expo passes — Friday, Saturday or full weekend, for the Olympia World Fitness Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center. There’s also a limited Expo Elite tier that gets you seating at the expo stage, which is where the morning pre-judging happens.

Amateur Olympia — 22–23 September at the Palms, on sale through AXS.

Active Duty Military Go Free

It’s worth knowing about, even though it’s not widely known.

The Olympia offers free tickets to the finals on Friday and Saturday, as well as free passes to the weekend exhibition, to active-duty military personnel and one guest. This program, started by the late Ben Weider, has been running for about 25 years.

There are two conditions: tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be collected in person at the Olympia’s VIP and Military Box Office in the Palms. Tickets are not reserved or mailed in advance. Once the tickets for the finals are sold out, an announcement is made, although passes for the exhibition continue to be distributed afterward.

Don’t Buy From Resellers

Here’s the part that will save you real money.

Face value on the finals starts at $79. On resale sites right now, Friday is listed from around $134 and Saturday from around $188. That’s roughly double face value for Saturday, for a show that hasn’t come close to selling out.

Buy through the Orleans Arena or the links on the official Olympia site. Every year brings a wave of fake ticket pages and social-media sellers around this event, and every year people get burned.

If you already hold a VIP package and can’t go, transfers are allowed — but no transfers after 28 August, no exceptions. VIP packages are non-refundable otherwise.

Practical Things People Miss

Bags. One personal bag per person, no bigger than 12″ × 12″ × 6″. No backpacks.

Screenshots don’t work. Digital ticket screenshots will not be accepted at the door. Have the live ticket in your wallet app.

Cameras yes, video no. Personal cameras are fine, but no tripods or monopods, and filming is prohibited.

Getting around. Three venues are in play — Palms, Convention Center and Orleans Arena — and they’re spread across the city. A free shuttle runs between them, first-come first-served.

Hotel. The Palms is the official host hotel with a discounted room block, but it’s a limited number of rooms.

Quick Answers

Are Mr. Olympia 2026 tickets still available? Yes. Finals and expo tickets are on sale. Only the VIP packages have sold out.

How much are Mr. Olympia 2026 tickets? Finals start at $79 plus tax and fees. Expo passes are sold separately by day or weekend.

Are VIP packages coming back? Not for 2026. All three tiers are sold out and the Gold waiting list is closed to new names.

Where do I buy official tickets? Through the official Olympia tickets page, which links to the Orleans Arena for finals and the expo passes portal.

Does an expo pass get me into the finals? No. They’re separate tickets. The expo pass covers the convention centre, including morning pre-judging.

Prices and availability confirmed on the official Olympia site on 15 August 2026. Ticket prices and event times are subject to change — check the official checkout before paying.

Mr. Olympia 2026 Men’s Open Preview: Can Derek Lunsford Hold Off Andrew Jacked and Nick Walker?

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No one has won back-to-back Men’s Open titles since Big Ramy did it in 2020 and 2021. With six weeks to go until Las Vegas, that streak of instability is the biggest factor looming over this year’s competition, because Derek Lunsford needs to break it.

He’s the reigning Mr. Olympia. And he’s up against what might be the most competitive field of the modern Open era, with an Arnold Classic champion hot on his heels, a resurgent Nick Walker who just reminded everyone what he’s capable of, and a former champion like Hadi Choopan who has come close four years in a row.

The Open final takes place Saturday 26 September at the Orleans Arena. Here’s where the division stands right now.

Derek Lunsford: The Champion With Everything to Lose

Lunsford’s 2025 was nearly perfect. He won the Arnold Classic, then the Pittsburgh Pro, and then reclaimed the Sandow in Las Vegas—the “Triple Crown” he had set as his goal. By defeating Samson Dauda in Las Vegas, he became only the second man in history, after Jay Cutler, to regain the Mr. Olympia title after losing it.

What made it even more remarkable was everything he had to overcome to achieve it. During his 2025 campaign, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle early in the year and a panic attack during the Olympia final. Even so, he won.

Since then, he has taken a well-deserved rest, publicly focusing on his chest and biceps—the two areas that critics kept pointing out. In August, he stated that he weighed close to 250 pounds and that he wouldn’t mind losing a couple more before stepping on stage.

There is a counter-argument, and it comes from serious people. Former champion Samir Bannout has warned that chasing extra size can backfire on Lunsford, and Lee Priest was openly critical of his 2025 winning package. That’s the tension in his prep: the widest back in the division doesn’t help if the waist goes with it.

Case for: Reigning champion, best conditioning of his career last year, targeted improvements, and the judges clearly like his structure. Case against: Nobody has repeated in five years, and adding mass is the exact gamble that has undone champions before.

Andrew Jacked: The Man With the Momentum

If you’re picking an upset, this is your man.

Chinedu Andrew “Jacked” Obiekea finished third at the 2025 Olympia. Then in March he won the 2026 Arnold Classic in Columbus, beating Nick Walker and Hadi Choopan and collecting a $750,000 first-place purse — the largest single payday in the history of the sport — plus another $10,000 for the Ed Corney Best Poser Award. He followed it with a win at the Arnold Classic UK, chasing what he’s called the “Million Dollar March.”

The Nigerian-born athlete came to bodybuilding late, after a career that included kickboxing and military service, and only turned professional in 2022. Four years later, he is the most prominent figure in the Open division.

The rivalry with Lunsford has even become personal. During training for this year’s Olympia Battle, Lunsford bluntly told him that he would never win the Olympia and that the title wasn’t going anywhere. Jacked hasn’t backed down. This exchange has been the biggest boost to interest in the Open division this season.

Case for: The best 2026 season of anyone in the division, elite posing, and clear improvement year over year. Case against: Arnold form doesn’t always transfer to September, and holding a peak from March to Vegas is its own challenge.

Nick Walker: The Comeback Nobody Expected

Walker’s 2025 was a disaster by his standards: sixth at the Olympia and a wave of comments suggesting his prime was behind him.

He responded by revolutionizing his strategy. He parted ways with his coach, Kyle Wilkes, and trained alone for the Arnold Classic, where he finished second to Jacked, won the Franco Columbu Most Muscular Athlete award, and defeated Hadi Choopan for the first time in his career.

Then, on August 1 at the Tampa Pro, he decisively won the Men’s Open—James Hollingshead finished second and Joseph Palacios third—and qualified for the Olympia weeks in advance. Observers noted a more defined waist and better core control than he had in years, precisely the criticisms the judges had been leveling at him.

Samir Bannout, Iain Valliere, and Seth Feroce singled him out as the man to beat in Tampa, and he lived up to the hype. When Samson Dauda was asked about him afterward, he wasn’t interested in dismissing him: a man who has won an Arnold and made it to the Olympia is always a threat, that was the gist of his message.

Even Lunsford took notice, responding to the Tampa result by saying he’d need to remind Walker who the champ is.

Case for: Arguably his best package since 2022, with a full seven-week runway to refine it. Case against: Tampa is not the Olympia. He’ll be compared against three men who all finished above him last year.

The Rest of the Threat List

Hadi Choopan — the 2022 champion has now finished runner-up at three consecutive Olympias, and took the People’s Champion award by fan vote in 2025. He was third at the 2026 Arnold. Nobody in the division has been consistently closer to the title without winning it again, and he has never needed anything more than the right night.

Samson Dauda — the 2024 champion fell to fourth in 2025. He is qualified, he is talking like a man planning a return to the top, and he has already proved he can beat this field.

Martin Fitzwater — fifth at the 2025 Olympia, fourth at the 2026 Arnold. Steady, improving, and the kind of athlete who quietly moves up when someone above him misses.

Brandon Curry — the 2019 champion took fifth at this year’s Arnold. Lifetime eligibility, and enough experience to capitalise if the top four beat each other up.

Beyond them, the qualified list also includes William Bonac, Michal Krizo, Andrea Presti, Tonio Burton, Shaun Clarida and others. As of early August, 22 athletes had qualified for the Men’s Open, with the qualification window closing 30 August — so that number can still move.

What the New Qualification Rules Change

This is the first Olympia run under the reinstated IFBB Pro League points system, and it matters more than it sounds.

For the Men’s Open, 212, Women’s Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique and Fit Model, the path is: top three from the 2025 Olympia, plus the winner of every open contest during the qualification period. Straightforward.

The divisions that changed hardest are Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini and Wellness, where athletes now need two contest wins or a top-25 points finish. That’s the reform designed to shrink fields that had ballooned toward 70 competitors.

For fans, the practical effect is a tighter, faster-moving show. For athletes in those four divisions, it has meant competing far more often across the season.

The Verdict

Here’s the truth: this is the most open Open division in recent years, and anyone claiming to have a sure winner is guessing.

Lunsford is the defending champion and the deserved favorite, but the title has changed hands more often than not over the past five years. Jacked has momentum on his side and the best 2026 record of all the entrants. Walker has the steepest improvement curve and the least pressure. Choopan needs a good night. Dauda has done it before.

Keep a close eye on Friday’s preliminary draw. In 2025, Dauda appeared to be leading after Friday’s comparisons but lost the advantage on Saturday night—proof that the Open is decided in both sessions, not just the final. Whoever is in the middle of the first round on Friday, September 25, is the man everyone else must beat.

Six weeks. One stage. No clear favorite. That’s what a good Olympia should feel like.

Quick Answers

Who is the reigning Mr. Olympia? Derek Lunsford, who reclaimed the title in 2025 after losing it to Samson Dauda in 2024.

Who won the 2026 Arnold Classic? Andrew Jacked, taking a record $750,000 first-place prize ahead of Nick Walker and Hadi Choopan.

When is the 2026 Men’s Open final? Saturday 26 September at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Open pre-judging takes place during Friday evening’s show.

When does qualification close? 30 August 2026. The Men’s Open field can still grow before then.

Has anyone repeated as Mr. Olympia recently? Not since Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay in 2020 and 2021. Every year since has produced a different champion.

Published 11 August 2026. Results and qualification details verified against IFBB Pro League and contest reporting. We’ll update this preview as the field is finalised.