The 2026 Mr. Olympia runs September 24-27 in Las Vegas, and it arrives with more open questions than any edition in years: a returning champion chasing a dynasty, a million-dollar challenger in the form of his life, and a Classic Physique division defending its first post-Bumstead title.
Related: how six straight Classic titles were built →
This page is the hub: the key facts, what happened in 2025, the full state of both marquee divisions, and links to the complete training routines of every major name on — and off — the stage.
The Key Facts
| Detail | 2026 Edition |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 24-27, 2026 |
| City | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Host hotel | Palms Casino Resort |
| Expo and prejudging | Las Vegas Convention Center |
| Finals | Orleans Arena, Sept 25-26 |
| Notable | First September Olympia and first arena finals since 2019 |
What 2025 Set Up
Last October, Derek Lunsford completed one of the great single seasons in the sport's history: Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and the Olympia — reclaiming the Sandow he lost in 2024 and becoming only the second man ever, after Jay Cutler, to win the title back after losing it.
The heartbreak belonged to Samson Dauda, the 2024 champion, who led prejudging and then dropped to fourth at the finals. Hadi Choopan took second and the fans' People's Champion award; Andrew Jacked climbed to third, his best finish yet.
And in Classic Physique, the era finally turned: Ramon Dino — twice runner-up to Chris Bumstead — beat Mike Sommerfeld to become the division's first new champion in seven years and the first Brazilian man to win a Mr. Olympia title.
20 MINUTES A 20 minute session in a suit that shocks you = 3 hours at the gym? The research, the suits, the studios and what it actually costs. Everything we know about EMS, in one place. SEE THE EVIDENCE →The Men's Open Field
Derek Lunsford — the champion. Skipping every show before the defense, with a daughter born in February and a stated belief he can hold the title for three more years. His prep under nutritionist Chris Aceto was already in shredded shape fourteen weeks out.
Andrew Jacked — the threat. Won the 2026 Arnold Classic and its record $750,000 prize, then the Arnold Classic UK weeks later — over a million dollars before the Olympia. Tall, flowing, and improving every season since 2022; Jay Cutler calls him "the next guy."
Nick Walker — the redemption run. After the torn hamstring of 2023, the lost 2024, and a sixth place in 2025 his coach blamed on a mistimed peak, the Mutant won the August 2026 Tampa Pro with a perfect score and is openly predicting victory: "If everyone is on 100%, I will f***ing win."
Samson Dauda — the rebuild. The 2024 champion answered his fourth-place collapse by skipping the Arnold entirely, bulking past 350 pounds, and betting a full year on arriving bigger than everyone. Coached by his wife, Marlena Gustowska.
Martin Fitzwater — the riser. Fifth at the 2025 Olympia and the youngest man in the top tier, "The Martian" is the field's fastest-improving physique.
Also qualified: the 25-man list includes veterans Brandon Curry, William Bonac, and Shaun Clarida alongside Regan Grimes, Michal Krizo, and Quinton Eriya. The qualification window closes August 30, so the final list settles in early September.
The Big Absence
Hadi Choopan is out. The 2022 champion and three-time runner-up could not complete U.S. visa processing in time — a deactivated UAE residence visa cost him his embassy interview — and misses his first Olympia since 2019. His camp's statement was defiant: when he returns, "he will return to win."
Classic Physique: Defending the New Era
Ramon Dino defends. The Brazilian has said he wants to hold the title "at least about five years." His five-and-a-half-weeks-out check-ins lead with a shredded back — exactly the body part the Olympia's head judge says will decide his battle with German runner-up Mike Sommerfeld. Wesley Vissers, who won the 2026 Arnold Classic Physique in career-best shape, completes the podium picture.
Chris Bumstead stays retired — officially. The six-time champion spent August teasing that he "might accidentally catch a stride and fall out of retirement," and the Olympia's head judge has speculated he could crack the Open top five if he ever returns. For now: business, fatherhood, and guest posings.
Sam Sulek isn't qualified. The sport's biggest YouTube star turned pro this year and took 8th at the Arnold Classic Ohio and 7th in the UK — a real first pro season, not a coronation. Under the new rules he'd have needed two wins or a top-25 points finish. His time is coming; it isn't September.
New Qualification Rules
2026 tightened the funnel. In Classic Physique and the other smaller divisions, a single pro-show win no longer guarantees an Olympia invite: athletes need two wins or a top-25 finish in the season points race, with majors like the Arnold weighted heaviest. Men's Open keeps the traditional model — win a pro show and you're in, with top-three Olympia finishers and past champions carrying automatic eligibility.
How Olympia Champions Train
The routines library covers champions across every era of the show:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger — 7 titles, 1970-1980
- Lee Haney — 8 titles, 1984-1991
- Dorian Yates — 6 titles, 1992-1997
- Ronnie Coleman — 8 titles, 1998-2005
- Jay Cutler — 4 titles, 2006-2010
- Phil Heath — 7 titles, 2011-2017
- Chris Bumstead — 6 Classic titles, 2019-2024
- Derek Lunsford — the reigning champion
- Ramon Dino — the reigning Classic champion
Not everyone has two hours a day for an Olympia split. If time is your constraint, EMS training condenses a full-body strength stimulus into a 20 minute session.