Take a closer look at the 2022 schedule for Men’s Open bodybuilding division.
With the 2021 calendar year winding down, it seems like a good time to look ahead to 2022. The sport of bodybuilding has slowed down a bit in the offseason but competitions can be expected back soon.
The 2022 Men’s Open schedule will begin with the Arnold Classic and ends with the Olympia. The schedule will return to a bit of normalcy after the pandemic threw a wrench in some plans over the last two years. This brings some extra excitement to events and some familiarity that fans and athletes have come to know.
With the holidays right around the corner, it seems like as good a time as any to lay out the 2022 bodybuilding season schedule. Let’s take a closer look at the events that are on tap for the 2022 season.
Bodybuilding Calendar Summary
The beginning of the bodybuilding season will begin the first weekend of March 2022 in Columbus, Ohio and conclude in Las Vegas, Nevada the middle of December 2022. Currently, the IFBB Pro League will have a total of 21 shows in over six countries. All Olympia show qualifiers will be ranked on points and fall into individual tiers in accordance with the Olympia qualification series guidelines. The top three Olympia qualification series finishers will qualify for an invite to the Olympia 2022. Due to the rapidly changing current events, schedules are subject to change and shows will often change locations to meet specific requirements. Generation Iron is in direct contact with head judge Steve Weinberger and the President of the IFBB Pro League, Jim Manion to provide updates on schedule.
March 3-6, 2022: Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH
This is the traditional way for the bodybuilding season to begin. The Arnold Classic returns to Columbus, Ohio on March 3rd, 2022 after taking place in September 2021 this year due to the pandemic. This is the second biggest show of the year and there has been quite the lineup announced. Brandon Curry and William Bonac will re-visit their rivalry on stage while Cedric McMillan is preparing to return to the competition. Nick Walker was not seen on the lineup which means there will be a new champion this year.
On top of this, the Arnold Classic 2022 recently announced an increase of prize money that rivals and in some divisions surpasses that of the Mr. Olympia. Proving that this event, as always, will be one of the biggest highlights of the year.
March 12, 2022: Boston Pro in Boston, MA
The Boston Pro will be the first competition following the Arnold Classic. This will allow more competitors to get on stage and show what progress they have made. This is a show that was impact by the pandemic and the 2020 show was postponed. Some of the top athletes in the world will be back on stage in Boston during the second week of March.
- Arnold Classic: March 3-6, 2022, in Columbus, OH (Tier 1)
- Boston Pro: March 12, 2022, in Boston, MA (Tier 4)
April 22-24, 2022: Arnold Classic Brazil in Sao Paulo, Brazil
The Arnold Classic Brazil does not have an exact location just yet but for the first time in two years, there is a date scheduled. This competition will make its return and will crown a new champion. Some of the former Men’s Bodybuilding champions include Brandon Curry and Steve Kuclo. This is the only Men’s Open show scheduled for April but there are plenty more going as we creep into the summer months.
- Arnold Classic Brazil: April 22-24, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Tier 2)
May 14, 2022: Indy Pro in Indianapolis, IN
May features two elite shows on back-to-back weekends. It begins with the Indy Pro where Justin Rodriguez took home the prize last year. This catapulted him into a strong year of preparation for both the Arnold Classic and Olympia. The Indy Pro precedes one of the biggest shows in bodybuilding but there should be no excitement taken away.
- Indy Pro: May 14, 2022, in Indianapolis, IN (Tier 4)
May 21, 2022: New York Pro in White Plains, NY
With many bodybuilding events returning to normal, the New York Pro returns to its home state after being held in Florida for two years. This is one of the most prestigious awards in the sport and considered by many to be the third biggest show of the year — behind the Olympia and Arnold Classic. Nick Walker won this show last season and earned qualification to the Olympia. Other winners include Iain Valliere and Sergio Oliva Jr. If competitors flock to this event, it will once again be a big-time competition in Men’s Open bodybuilding.
- New York Pro: May 21, 2022, in White Plains, NY (Tier 2)
June 4, 2022: Toronto Pro in Toronto, ON, Canada
The Toronto Pro was forced to move to December and was the first event since 2019. The stage was set in Toronto just a few weeks ago and it saw two returning champions. Quinton Eriya and Joseph Seeman competed at the event back in 2019 but it was Joel Thomas who took home the gold. With the event returning to June, it should be an even bigger spectacle during 2022.
- Toronto Pro: June 4, 2022, in Toronto, ON, Canada (Tier 2)
June 25-26, 2022: Puerto Rico Pro in San Juan, Puerto Rico
The 2021 Puerto Rico Pro was the first breakout for Akim Williams. He took home first prize and this put the cherry on a strong season. Williams might have a chance to defend his title, if he competes, during the 2022 show. This will take place almost a year after the 2021 show. This is one that was not impacted and the momentum from last year’s event will carry into June. This will also be the final competition before what will be a packed month of July.
- Puerto Rico Pro: June 25-26, 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Tier 3)
July 2, 2022: Orlando Pro in Orlando, FL
The Orlando Pro will be the first of four competitions in July. There will be events in a total of three countries in July and Orlando is the first on the slate on the second day of the month.
- Orlando Pro: July 2, 2022, in Orlando, FL (Tier 4)
- Empro Pro: July 3, 2022, in Spain. TBD (Tier 4)
July 8-10, 2022: Mr. Big Evolution Pro in Portugal
The Mr. Big Evolution Pro will return to Portugal in 2022. This is where Andrea Presti was able to earn qualification to the Olympia. He beat other top competition such as Tim Budesheim and Vlad Suhoruchko. There are a total of 10 divisions present at this event and hands out Olympia qualifications to all winners. This is a big chance for international competitors to get a chance.
- Mr. Big Evolution Pro: July 8-10, 2022 in Portugal. TBD (Tier 3)
July 17, 2022: Vancouver Pro in Vancouver, BC, Canada
The Vancouver Pro is a show that has featured some top competition in its time. Hadi Choopan won this event back in 2019. Nathan De Asha and Valliere have all competed in Vancouver. This show will return after some time off due to the pandemic and is looking to reach the status that it is used to. This means some big-time names could gather to put on a show that is a must-see.
- Vancouver Pro: July 17, 2022, in Vancouver, BC, Canada (Tier 4)
July 22-23, 2022: Chicago Pro in Chicago, IL
Hunter Labrada headlined the Chicago Pro in 2021 with a victory before a top-five finish in the Olympia. This is another show that features 10 events and is considered one of the biggest in the sport. Labrada is one of the most promising names in bodybuilding today. It will be interesting to see if he decides to defend his title at this year’s competition.
- Chicago Pro: July 22-23, 2022 in Chicago, IL (Tier 3)
August 5-6, 2022: Tampa Pro in Tampa, FL
The calendar might turn to August but competitions do not slow down after July. The Tampa Pro is the first big show of the month. In 2021, it was Ian Valliere who took home first place and earned qualification to the Olympia. This jumpstarted a busy season of competition for Valliere. Tampa will be the host of this two-day event that features some elite names in bodybuilding.
- Tampa Pro: Aug. 5-6, 2022 in Tampa, FL (Tier 2)
August 12-13, 2022: Texas Pro in Irving, TX
Ian Valliere was on a roll in August as he took home gold medals in back-to-back shows by winning the Texas Pro in 2021. Athletes usually do not compete the following weekend after a victory but Valliere felt good enough to take the stage again and it paid off. This means he will have two titles to defend heading into 2022.
- Texas Pro: Aug. 12-13, 2022 in Irving, TX (Tier 4)
August 20, 2022: Ronnie Coleman Pro in Houston, TX
The final show in August will end with the eight-time Mr. Olympia hosting a Men’s Open lineup.
- Ronnie Coleman Pro: August 20, 2022, in Houston, TX (Tier 4)
September 24-25, 2022: Arnold Classic UK in the Birmingham, United Kingdom
This is the UK’s version of the Arnold Classic and features a variety of sports. The bodybuilding event headlines the weekend and in 2021, it was Nathan De Asha who proved victorious. Many international stars take the stage in the UK for a weekend of festivities. About six months after the Arnold Classic, Arnold Schwarzenegger will take his show to the UK to provide some more entertainment.
- Arnold Classic UK: Sept. 24-25, 2022 in the Birmingham, United Kingdom (Tier 2)
October 7-9, 2022: Legion Sports Fest in Stateline, NV
With the way the scheduling worked out in 2021, the Legion Sports Fest took place two weeks after the Olympia. This is where Shaun Clarida made his debut in Men’s Open and ended up taking home the prize. He is not qualified for the 2022 Olympia in Men’s Open and Men’s 212. He will have to decide which division he wants to compete in.
- Legion Sports Fest: Oct. 7-9, 2022 in Stateline, NV (Tier 3)
November 6, 2022: Europa Pro in Spain
The 2021 Europa Pro Spain was another rendition of the rivalry between De Asha and Roelly Winklaar. This was the first competition back for De Asha and he took home gold, with Winklaar finishing second. Tim Budesheim notched another top-three finish at the event. This event will return to November this year. This means more competitors will be able to get on a better schedule and plan to make an appearance.
- Europa Pro: November 6, 2022, in Spain. TBD (Tier 2)
November 12-13, 2022: Romania Muscle Fest in Bucharest, Romania
The Romania Muscle Fest was another event that took place post-Olympia this year because of the schedule. In 2022, it will be one of the final shows before the biggest of the year. Rafael Brandao has punched his ticket to the Olympia with a victory in November. This event will remain around the same time but will have different implications this time around just one month before the Olympia.
- Romania Muscle Fest: Nov. 12-13, 2022 in Bucharest, Romania (Tier 3)
November 27, 2022: Big Man’s Pro in Spain
The final Men’s Open show before the Olympia will be the Big Man’s Pro in Spain. There is not an exact location yet but one will be determined. It was Angel Calderon who took home the title in this year’s event just a few weeks ago. The event will be held on the same weekend in 2022 with some elite competitors looking for late qualification to the Olympia. This is also a chance for athletes to prepare and nail down some details.
- Big Man’s Pro: November 27, 2022, in Spain. City to be Determined (Tier 4)
December 16-18, 2022: 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV
The Olympia will return to Las Vegas to close out the season in December. The biggest show of the year was held in Orlando in each of the last two years due to the pandemic. This worked out well for Big Ramy, who won back-to-back Olympia titles with the show being held in Florida. If you believe in superstitions, maybe the two-time champ can be beat with the show being back in Las Vegas. This means former champion and two-time runner-up Brandon Curry could regain his title. This also includes Hadi Choopan or newcomers such as Nick Walker and Hunter Labrada. We will find out in December when Olympia weekend is on full display.
- 2022 Olympia: Dec. 16-18, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV
