The Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio hosts the Arnold Classic, the Arnold Strongman Classic and dozens of other sports each year.
The Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the biggest multi-sport events in the world, held each March. It hosts the Arnold Classic bodybuilding show, the Arnold Strongman Classic and competitions in dozens of other sports.
The Arnold Classic, first held in 1989, is the second-most prestigious bodybuilding title after Mr. Olympia, and its prize money for the Open winner is among the largest in the sport.
Latest results
2026 Arnold Classic — March 5–8, 2026, Columbus, Ohio.
Arnold Classic (Men's Open) — top five
| Place | Athlete | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinedu Obiekea (Andrew Jacked) | $750,000 winner's purse + Best Poser award |
| 2 | Nick Walker | Most Muscular award |
| 3 | Hadi Choopan | |
| 4 | Martin Fitzwater | |
| 5 | Brandon Curry |
History & key moments
| Year | Moment |
|---|---|
| 1989 | First Arnold Classic |
| 2002 | First Arnold Strongman Classic |
| 2021 | Nick Walker wins the Arnold Classic |
| 2026 | Andrew Jacked wins the Arnold Classic; Mitchell Hooper wins the Strongman Classic for the fourth time |
A fan's guide
The festival takes over Columbus for a long weekend each March, with an expo featuring hundreds of exhibitors and competitions in more than 60 sports. The Arnold Classic finals and the Arnold Strongman Classic are the headline events.
Fans attending should plan for crowds and book accommodation early.
Our take
The Arnold is the best weekend in strength sports to attend in person. As a competition, the Arnold Classic is less predictive of Olympia results than it used to be, partly because top contenders choose one show to peak for.
Andrew Jacked's 2026 win and fourth place at the Olympia illustrate that pattern.
What's next
The 2027 Arnold Sports Festival is expected in early March in Columbus.
Latest coverage
Coverage of the next edition will appear here.
FAQ
Who won the 2026 Arnold Classic?
Andrew Jacked (Chinedu Obiekea).
Where is the Arnold Sports Festival held?
Columbus, Ohio.
When was the first Arnold Classic?
1989.