As the year is slowly coming to a close, the focus shifts toward the next season. Well, good news is already coming out, as the organizers of the 2026 Arnold Strongman & Strongwoman Classic announced the full lineups for both divisions on their Instagram profile. The competition will take place on March 5-8 in Columbus, Ohio, and judging by the caliber of athletes, it is set to be an exciting display of strength.
The 2025 Arnold Strongman & Strongwoman Classic will feature a total of 23 athletes, 12 men and 11 women. All athletes have a series of achievements behind them and have earned a spot among the best. The battle will likely be incredibly unpredictable, as all athletes are coming with the sole goal of taking home the title.
2026 Arnold Strongman & Strongwoman Classic
Strongman
- Austin Andrade
- Hafthor Björnsson
- Andrew Burton
- Tom Evans
- Lucas Hatton
- Mitchell Hooper
- Bryce Johnson
- Martins Licis
- Trey Mitchell
- Rayno Nel
- Luke Richardson
- Tom Stoltman
Strongwoman
- Katie Blunden
- Inez Carrasquillo
- Angelica Jardine
- Olga Liashchuk
- Hannah Linzay
- Jennifer Lyle
- Jackie Osczevski
- Melissa Peacock
- Rebecca Roberts
- Andrea Thompson
- Lucy Underdown
Related: 2026 Britain’s Strongest Man Stacked Lineup Revealed
Lineup Overview
Strongman
Mitchell Hooper will be coming back to the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic in hopes of defending his title once again. He has won the last three editions of the competition, which makes him the frontrunner for next year as well. Hooper wrapped up the 2025 season with a win at the Rogue Invitational, showing that he is already in great shape.
Hafthor Bjornsson is another man who has won the Arnold Strongman Classic three times in his career. However, his last win came in 2020, meaning that he is eager to get back to the top of the podium. Hafthor recently set a 510-kilogram (1,124.4-pound) Deadlift World Record and showed that he is back to his best. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder injury that prevented him from wrapping up the season as he wanted. However, he should be fully recovered by the time the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic rolls around.
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Tom Stoltman is another great athlete who is hoping to finally claim the coveted Arnold Strongman Classic title. His highest finish at the competition was third in 2024, but Stoltman’s greatness is best reflected in his three wins at the World’s Strongest Man.
One of the most exciting names on the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic lineup list is Martins Licis. The former World’s Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic, and Rogue Invitational champion has made just one appearance since 2022 but is now preparing to get back to the competition floor.
Multiple other athletes could pose a threat for the title at the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic, with Luke Richardson being one of the standout figures. He won the 2025 Europe’s Strongest Man, showing that he is capable of beating anyone on his day.
Strongwoman
The lineup for the 2026 Arnold Strongwoman Classic is equally impressive, showcasing nearly a dozen of the strongest women in the world. Inez Carrasquillo is the biggest favorite to take the win and defend her title, as she has dominated the Strongwoman division in her recent appearances. She also holds two Rogue Invitational and one North America’s Strongest Woman titles.
Angelica Jardine won the Arnold Strongwoman Classic in 2024 but lost it to Inez in 2025. So, she is set to put in a great effort in an attempt to reclaim her title in a couple of months. Angelica is also known for her win at the 2023 America’s Strongest Man competition.
Andrea Thompson and Rebecca Roberts have both been crowned World’s Strongest Woman in the past, which makes them two of the most exciting athletes listed in the 2026 Arnold Strongwoman Classic lineups. They hope to prove themselves at another big competition but will have to outperform the likes of Carrasquillo and Jardine to claim gold.
The greatest deadlifter in the history of Strongwoman, Lucy Underdown, will also make an appearance at the 2026 Arnold Strongwoman Classic. Lucy is always a threat for the title but has had to settle for second place at multiple major competitions.
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Crushes a Single-Arm Weight Over Bar Unofficial World Record
The 2026 Arnold Strongman & Strongwoman Classic is gearing up to be one of the biggest shows of the season and perhaps one of the most interesting editions of the show in recent years. While the events and some other pieces of information still remain unknown, the lineups are already starting to paint a picture of what fans can expect to see in a couple of months.
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