A complete guide on how to watch the 2026 Olympia press conference for free
The biggest weekend in bodybuilding is officially here, and the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference is set to kick off the action in Las Vegas. The 2026 Olympia runs from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the press conference taking place on Thursday, September 24. The main Mr. Olympia competition will then unfold across Friday and Saturday, culminating with the crowning of the 2026 Mr. Olympia champion on Saturday night.
Before the world’s best bodybuilders step onstage to battle for the coveted Sandow Trophy, fans will have the opportunity to hear directly from some of the biggest names in the sport. The Olympia Press Conference has become one of the most anticipated events of Olympia Weekend, offering athletes a chance to discuss their preparations, address their competition, and set the tone for the weekend ahead.
Our team at Generation Iron is breaking down everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference.
When Is the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference?
The 2026 Olympia Press Conference is scheduled for Thursday, September 24 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
For fans on the East Coast, that means the press conference begins at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The official Olympia schedule lists the event as taking place at the Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. VIP entry is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., followed by general public entry at 11:45 a.m.
2026 Olympia Press Conference Schedule
- Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Time: 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Pearl Theater, Palms Casino Resort
- VIP Entry: 11:30 a.m.
- General Public Entry: 11:45 a.m.
- Status: Open to the public
The official schedule notes that locations and times are subject to change, so fans should check the Olympia’s official channels for any last-minute updates.
How to Watch the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference Online
The good news for bodybuilding fans is that the 2026 Olympia livestream is free.
OlympiaTV has announced free livestream coverage for the 2026 Olympia Weekend following registration. The official coverage includes:
- All Olympia Divisional Competitions
- Athlete check-ins
- Official Olympia Press Conference
- Amateur Olympia Events
- Sunday Champions Seminar.
Fans can register through the official Olympia livestream platform. Once registered, fans can follow the available livestream programming throughout Olympia Weekend.
This is a significant change for Olympia viewers. In previous years, fans typically had to purchase access to watch the major Olympia competition online. For 2026, the organization has made the livestream available free worldwide, giving bodybuilding fans around the world easier access to the biggest event in the sport.
What Can Fans Expect From the 2026 Olympia Press Conference?
The Olympia Press Conference is about much more than simply answering questions from the media.
It is one of the first opportunities for fans to see the top competitors together before they step onstage. With months of preparation behind them, the athletes arrive in Las Vegas knowing that the biggest test of their careers is only hours away.
The press conference will provide insight into:
- How athletes feel heading into the Olympia
- Their confidence levels before prejudging
- Rivalries and competitive storylines
- Predictions about the upcoming contest
- Changes athletes have made since their last competition
- The mindset required to compete for an Olympia title
- Potential matchups and comparisons between top contenders
And, of course, bodybuilding fans know that anything can happen when the biggest personalities in the sport are sitting on the same stage.
The press conference has historically provided some of the most memorable moments of Olympia Weekend, from confident predictions to heated exchanges between competitors.
Why the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference Matters
The press conference gives fans a preview of the competitive atmosphere before the physiques are judged under the bright lights.
The 2026 Men’s Open division is particularly intriguing, with Derek Lunsford entering the weekend as the reigning champion and a number of elite contenders looking to take the Sandow away from him. OlympiaTV identifies athletes including Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked and Nick Walker among the major names expected to challenge Lunsford.
Lunsford is attempting to defend his Olympia crown against a field that has the potential to produce another memorable showdown.
That makes the press conference an important opportunity to hear directly from the athletes before they take the stage.
When Is the 2026 Mr. Olympia?
The 2026 Olympia Weekend officially runs from September 24 through September 27 at the Orlean Hotel Casino In Las Vegas.
While the press conference takes place Thursday, the major bodybuilding competition follows on Friday and Saturday.
Friday’s schedule includes prejudging beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by the evening finals at Orleans Arena. The Friday evening session will also feature Mr. Olympia prejudging, giving fans their first look at the Men’s Open competitors onstage.
Saturday features additional prejudging in the morning before the evening finals. The 2026 Mr. Olympia finals are scheduled for Saturday night, when the next champion will officially be crowned.
Key 2026 Olympia Dates
Thursday, September 24
- Olympia Press Conference — 12:00 p.m. PT
- Olympia Superstar Kickoff Party — evening
Friday, September 25
- Olympia Prejudging — 9:30 a.m. PT
- Friday Finals — 6:00 p.m. PT
- Mr. Olympia Prejudging
Saturday, September 26
- Olympia Prejudging — 9:30 a.m. PT
- Saturday Finals — 7:00 p.m. PT
- Mr. Olympia Finals
Sunday, September 27
- Olympia Champions Seminar — 11:00 a.m. PT
Times are based on the currently announced schedule and can be subject to change.
Don’t Miss the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference
For bodybuilding fans, the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference is the perfect way to begin Olympia Weekend.
The event takes place Thursday, September 24 at noon Pacific Time from the Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort. Fans unable to attend in Las Vegas can watch the official Olympia coverage online through OlympiaTV, with the 2026 livestream available free following registration.
With Derek Lunsford looking to defend his title and some of the biggest names in bodybuilding preparing to challenge him, there should be plenty to discuss before the athletes ever step onstage.
Tune in to the 2026 Mr. Olympia Press Conference and get your first look at the personalities, predictions and storylines that could define this year’s battle for the Sandow Trophy.
Stay tuned to Generation Iron throughout Olympia Weekend for breaking news, athlete interviews, analysis, results and complete coverage of the 2026 Mr. Olympia.
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