Qualifying for the Mr. Olympia just got harder. Big news broke in the bodybuilding world on September 3, 2025, as the IFBB Pro League announced major changes to its Olympia Qualification System.
For years, the Olympia show has been criticized by fans and athletes due to the sheer number of participants hitting the stage. Between initial comparisons and individual posing routines, prejudging and finals would go on for hours, leaving those in attendance or watching at home frustrated.
It looks like that’s all about to change on September 15, 2025. Though the Men’s Open was hardly affected, the same can’t be said for other divisions like Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness. Competitors from these classes must now win two contests during the season to automatically qualify — or rank among the top 25 in point standings.
The point system has been reinstated for all categories except the Men’s Open. Specific contests, including the Arnold Classic USA, Pittsburgh Pro, New York Pro, Romania Muscle Fest Pro, and Dubai Pro, are Tier 1 shows, meaning any competitor who claims gold will qualify for the Olympia regardless of division.
New Qualification Rules for the 2026 Mr. Olympia
Find the IFBB Pro League’s official statement on the new rules below:
The 2026 Olympia Qualification System starts on September 15, 2025 and ends on August 30, 2026.
System for Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness
- Top 25 in point standings qualify for the Olympia
- Automatic qualifications for the Olympia if you win two contests
Olympia
- 1st — Automatic Qualification
- 2nd — Automatic Qualification
- 3rd — Automatic Qualification
- 4th — 12 points
- 5th — 10 points
Arnold Classic USA, Pittsburgh Pro, New York Pro, Romania Muscle Fest Pro, Dubai Pro
- 1st — Automatic Qualification
- 2nd — 14 points
- 3rd — 11 points
- 4th — 9 points
- 5th — 7 points
All Other IFBB Pro Contests
- 1st — 10 points
- 2nd — 4 points
- 3rd — 3 points
- 4th — 2 points
- 5th — 1 point
System for Men’s Open, 212, Women’s Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique, and Fit Model
- Top 3 from the 2025 Olympia
- Top 3 in Women’s Bodybuilding from the Rising Phoenix
- Winner of each open contest held during the qualification period.
System for Wheelchair Bodybuilding
- Top 3 from the 2025 Olympia
- Winner of each open contest held during the qualification period.
- Top 4 in the point standings
Points are allocated as follows:
- 2nd — 10 points
- 3rd — 9 points
- 4th — 8 points
- 5th — 7 points
With significantly fewer athletes set to appear on the Olympia stage next year, the flow of production could improve dramatically. It could afford judges additional opportunities to compare and pose bodybuilders against each other without having to worry about going over time.
These changes to the OQS could also encourage bodybuilders to compete more often, especially in Classic Physique, Bikini, Wellness, and Men’s Physique — these feature the most participants onstage out of all other classes.
Do you think the IFBB Pro League’s big changes will help or hurt the sport? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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