The 2026 New York Pro returns this weekend and once again brings one of the deepest lineups of the bodybuilding season
The 2026 New York Pro is set for May 8-9 at the Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck, New Jersey, the event will have major Olympia implications and several high-profile names looking to make a statement before the summer stretch of the IFBB Pro League calendar.
The two divisions drawing the most attention are Men’s Open Bodybuilding and Men’s Physique, both loaded with athletes capable of stealing headlines. From massive comeback campaigns to Olympia qualification pushes, the 2026 New York Pro could reshape multiple divisions in a single weekend.
2026 New York Pro: Date, Location & Schedule
The event takes place May 8-9, 2026 at the Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Friday, May 8
Prejudging (10:00 a.m.)
- Men’s Physique
- Classic Physique
- Men’s 212
- Additional women’s divisions
Finals (5:00 p.m.)
- Men’s Physique Finals
- Classic Physique Finals
- Men’s 212 Finals
Saturday, May 9
Prejudging (10:00 a.m.)
- Men’s Open Bodybuilding
- Bikini
Finals (5:00 p.m.)
- Bikini Finals
- Men’s Open Finals
Men’s Open Preview: One of the Deepest NY Pro Lineups in Years
This year’s Men’s Open lineup has serious international star power. Several athletes entering this show are either former Olympia finalists, major title winners, or competitors widely viewed as future contenders.
Michal Krizo
Michal “Krizo” Krizanek enters as one of the biggest names in the show and arguably one of the most dangerous physiques in the entire division. The Slovak standout has already proven he can stand with elite Olympia competitors, thanks to freakish size and overwhelming arm development.
Krizo has been documenting an intense prep leading into New York, including brutal arm and leg sessions while dialing in conditioning.
The biggest question is always conditioning. If Krizo arrives fully peeled, many believe he has the structure and mass to overwhelm almost anyone on a New York Pro stage.
Rafael Brandao
Brazil’s Rafael Brandao may be bringing one of the most balanced physiques in the entire lineup. Brandao combines aesthetics, shape, symmetry, and improved size, making him a dangerous matchup under IFBB judging standards.
Recent updates from prep have shown a sharper and fuller version of Brandao as he pushes toward the biggest New York Pro appearance of his career.
Unlike some of the mass-heavy competitors in the lineup, Brandao’s advantage comes from polish. If conditioning is on point, he could absolutely push for the title.
Blessing Awodibu
Few athletes generate crowd energy like Blessing Awodibu. The charismatic bodybuilder already owns a New York Pro title after winning the event in 2022, instantly becoming one of the show’s most memorable champions.
Awodibu brings entertainment, confidence, and improved muscle maturity into this year’s contest. Fans will be watching closely to see whether he can recapture the momentum that made him one of the division’s breakout stars.
If he nails conditioning and comes in tighter from the back, he becomes a legitimate threat to crack the top spots.
Tonio Burton
Tonio Burton continues to quietly build momentum as one of the most complete physiques in Men’s Open. While he may not command the same mainstream attention as Krizo or Blessing, Burton consistently shows strong conditioning and balanced proportions.
This is the type of lineup where Burton could surprise people by climbing into a top callout if bigger names miss their peak.
Patrick Moore
Patrick Moore remains one of the more intriguing names in the lineup because of his classic shape and stage presence. Injuries and inconsistency have slowed his momentum in recent years, but when Moore is at his best, he presents one of the cleaner physiques in the division.
A strong showing in New York would immediately put him back into major Olympia conversations.
Men’s Physique Preview: Ali Bilal Looks to Stay Red Hot
The Men’s Physique division might deliver some of the weekend’s sharpest conditioning battles.
Ali Bilal
Ali Bilal enters as one of the favorites and arguably one of the hottest competitors in Men’s Physique right now. Bilal has rapidly become known for his insane conditioning, tight waist, and stage polish.
Recent updates leading into the show have already created buzz online, with Bilal showing a shredded look just days before stepping onstage.
Bilal also has recent history at this event. He previously captured victories at both the Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro during a breakout run that elevated him into Olympia contention.
If his conditioning matches recent updates, he could be very difficult to beat.
Edvan Palmeira
Edvan Palmeira remains one of the division’s most aesthetically impressive competitors. Known for structure, flow, and presentation, Palmeira has steadily built momentum against deeper Men’s Physique lineups.
This year’s New York Pro could become a major breakthrough opportunity if he manages to combine fullness with the conditioning needed to challenge Bilal.
Why The 2026 New York Pro Matters
Outside of the Arnold Classic and Olympia, the New York Pro has become one of the most prestigious stops in bodybuilding. The event consistently attracts elite international talent and often serves as a preview for major Olympia storylines later in the year.
With names like Michal Krizo, Rafael Brandao, Blessing Awodibu, Ali Bilal, and Patrick Moore all sharing the same stage, this year’s edition has the potential to become one of the most talked-about shows of the 2026 season.
Featured images via Instagram @ifbb_pro_michalkrizokrizanek, @tonio_burton, @alihealth_1
