If the roar of the crowds at Mr Olympia 2025 proved anything, it’s that bodybuilding has remained exceptionally competitive at the highest level. When the dust settled, Lunsford had pulled something the bodybuilding world hadn’t seen since Jay Cutler. He reclaimed his title, avenging his loss against Samson Dauda in 2024. Safe to say the anticipation for next year’s rematch is already ramping up.

Next year’s Mr. Olympia with once again unfold during the prestigious Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, a multi-day celebration dedicated to bodybuilding, strength sports, and the global fitness community. While the final venue announcement is expected soon, fans can expect things to go down between the usual months of October and December. And unless something changes, Las Vegas, Nevada, will host the contest. But what about the competitors?

Early List of Qualified Athletes for Mr Olympia 2026

Although it might seem like the 2025 edition of bodybuilding’s biggest show just ended, those looking to earn a spot on the Olympia stage are already gearing up for the multiple shows that offer a ticket to the Olympia.

What’s more? Several standout names have already confirmed their place in the Men’s Open division, the crown jewel of the event.

Men’s Open Qualified (Early List)

• Sergey Danilov (Russia)
• Derek Lunsford (USA)
• Hadi Choopan (Iran)
• Chinedu Obiekea “Andrew Jacked” (UAE)
• Michal Krizanek (Slovakia)
• Tonio Burton (USA)
• Martin Fitzwater (USA)
• Andrea Presti (Italy)

Understanding the 2026 Olympia Qualification System

The 2026 Olympia Qualification System follows two major pathways:Automatic Qualification (Win-based & Placement-based)

1. Athletes qualify instantly if they meet certain performance standards.

Points-Based Qualification (Consistency-based)

2. Points-Based Qualification (Consistency-based)

Athletes accumulate points across IFBB Pro shows. Higher-tier shows give more points.This ensures that both elite champions and consistent top performers get to compete on bodybuilding’s biggest stage.

3. Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini & Wellness

These divisions combine automatic qualification with a large points leaderboard (Top 25 qualify). The design favors both big-show winners and athletes who compete frequently.

A. Automatic Qualification (Explained)

Winning 2 Contest Titles = Instant Olympia Qualification

If an athlete wins any two IFBB Pro shows within the qualification window, they do not need to worry about points. This rule rewards athletes who dominate multiple stages.

A.1 Olympia 2025 Placements Grant Direct Qualification

• 1st–3rd place:
  Automatically return to Olympia 2026. These are considered world-class finalists, so they bypass the qualification season.
• 4th place: Earns 12 points
• 5th place: Earns 10 points

These points matter because finishers outside the Top 3 still get a head start in the season-long leaderboard.

B. Points System for Qualification — Top 25 Qualify

This is one of the biggest point-based qualifying pools in bodybuilding.

How it works:

• Every time an athlete places 2nd–5th, they earn points.
• Their points accumulate across the season.
• At the end, the Top 25 in each division qualify for Olympia 2026.

This system rewards:

• Consistency
• Frequent competitors
• Athletes who place high but don’t win titles

Tier 1 Shows (Premium Events with Highest Points)

Arnold Classic USA, Pittsburgh Pro, NY Pro, Romania Muscle Fest Pro, Dubai Pro

These events carry elite prestige and attract top competitors, so they award maximum points.

Points Breakdown

Explanation: Placing well at Tier 1 shows can almost single-handedly secure a qualification spot due to high point totals.

Tier 2 Shows (Standard IFBB Pro Events)

These include all other shows on the calendar.

These shows reward athletes who grind through multiple events and steadily rack up smaller point totals. Even without a win, many athletes qualify by placing often.

2. Men’s Open, Men’s 212, Women’s Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique, Fit Model

These divisions do not rely on a big points leaderboard. Instead, they use a placement-based direct qualification system.

A. Automatic Qualification 

• Top 3 from Olympia 2025: These are considered the elite podium finishers of the world. They are automatically invited back to Olympia 2026; no need to requalify.
• Top 3 from Rising Phoenix: The Rising Phoenix World Championship is the second-most important show for women’s bodybuilding. Finishing in the Top 3 grants direct qualification, similar to winning a major title.
• Winners of All Open Pro Shows Automatically Qualify

Every IFBB Pro contest winner from these divisions earns direct entry into Olympia 2026. No points are needed.

3. Wheelchair Bodybuilding Qualification System

The Wheelchair division has a hybrid system: both automatic qualification and a points leaderboard.

A. Automatic Qualification:

• Top 3 at Olympia 2025: Elite finalists get direct return privileges.
• All Open Contest Winners: Any athlete who wins a pro wheelchair event during the qualification season gets an automatic spot.

B. Points Qualification (Top 5 Qualify)

If athletes do not win a show, they can still get in via points.

Will the Mr. Olympia 2026 break new ground?

Another reason why the hype around the 2026 Olympia is already building is thanks to what the man who ruled the stage in the 70s has been up to. Seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger has been quietly pushing the envelope once again, this time with the Arnold Classic.

Arnie first raised the prize money in a symbolic challenge to the Olympia by offering the Arnold Classic Men’s Open winner $300,000 in 2023 and bumping it up to $500,000 in 2025. Now, the Terminator is at it again, having announced that the Arnold Classic Men’s Open winner will walk away with $750,000 in 2026. That means the IFBB will need to make a tough decision.

While the Arnold Classic is the second-most prestigious who in bodybuilding, it’s still under the IFBB. It’s hard to imagine the IFBB will let their flagship contest, the Mr. Olympia, fall to second place. So, it seems that yet another seismic shift in prize money is imminent next year.

Written by

Amanjeet Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi