Inactive athletes after three years will now be at risk of losing their Pro status.
January 23, 2025 – Since the original time of this reporting, the IFBB Pro / NPC leagues have made clarifications and updates to the “three year rule” for maintaining IFBB Pro status. This article reflects those updates and changes.
The IFBB Pro League has been making many changes to improve the quality of the sport around the world. On Sunday, a new rule was shared that has caused plenty of controversy and thoughts around the world of bodybuilding.
[RELATED: IFBB Pro League Full 2025 Contest Schedule]
The IFBB has urged competitors to take part in more shows over the course of the season. The Arnold Classic has also taken part in this, guaranteeing the largest purse in the history of the show at $500,000 to the winner.
The new rule, shared on the IFBB Pro League website, will impact competitors who are inactive for three years or more.
IFBB Pro League Announces New Rules
The new rules state that a bodybuilder who is inactive for three years will lose his/her pro status if not renewed their membership.
“An active member who chooses not to renew his or her membership automatically becomes an inactive member and may remain inactive for up to three years. Both active and inactive members must abide by IFBB Professional League rules and policies.”
A bodybuilder can choose to remain inactive for three years or more. Under this new rule, that bodybuilder would have to win a Pro qualifier in order to regain status in the IFBB Pro League.
“If a member does not become active within the three-year period, the member’s IFBB Pro status will be canceled and can only be reestablished through a Pro qualifier.”
Any athlete who held status prior to 2023 will have until the final day of 2025 to become an active member. If they do not, their Pro status will be canceled and the only way to regain it is through a Pro qualifier.
Clarification On Retired IFBB Pro Athletes And Inactive Competitors Before 2024
After some initial controversy and confusion with the announcement of this new “three year rule” – the IFBB Pro and NPC league have made updates and clarifications to the pro rules page.
Throughout the history of bodybuilding, there have been numerous occasions of retired athletes making a comeback on the IFBB Pro stage. Would these athletes need to now re-qualify to earn their pro card again? The IFBB Pro league has now confirmed that, no, this would not be the case. All athletes who have been inactive before January 1st, 2024 will be exempt from the new three year rule.
Now noted in line 10 in part 3 of the IFBB Pro rules sheet, IFBB Pro athletes who have held pro status before January 1st, 2024 but who are inactive may remain inactive without any loss in IFBB Pro status.
However, if they do eventually decide to become active again, the three year rule will then come into effect moving forward. This means that any retired athlete that decides to make a comeback – would then need to start remaining active within a three year period or risk losing their pro card.
Wrap Up
The IFBB Pro League wants athletes to remain active over the course of the bodybuilding season. This new rule might urge those competitors who are not active to take the stage more often so status is not lost.
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