The points system is back in bodybuilding in all divisions outside of Men’s Open.
The IFBB Pro League continues to make adjustments in many ways to the sport of bodybuilding. On Wednesday, the major announcement was made that there are now significant changes on how to qualify for the 2026 Olympia.
The biggest news is that the points system is back after a short hiatus in all divisions other than Men’s Open. Also, in attempts to lower the total number of competitors, athletes in Classic, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness will receive automatic qualification by winning two shows rather than one.
In recent years, the number of competitors at the Olympia have been setting new records each year. This has made for longer streams, especially during prejudging where it could last close to six hours or more. The league wants to ensure that the best of the best is competing at the biggest show of the year. To do this, many changes have been made in all divisions other than Men’s Open, which will look the same in a lot of ways.
2026 Olympia Qualification Rules & Guidelines
The Olympia qualification period will run from Sept. 15, 2025 to Aug. 30, 2026. The different guidelines will vary by division.
Men’s Open, Women’s Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique, Fit Model
- Top 3 from 2025 Olympia
- Top 3 in Women’s Bodybuilding from the Rising Phoenix
- Winner of each open contest during qualification period
Wheelchair Bodybuilding
- Top 3 from 2025 Olympia
- Winner of each open contest during qualification period
- Top 4 in points standings
Points
- 2nd place – 10 points
- 3rd place – 9 points
- 4th place – 8 points
- 5th place – 7 points
Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Wellness
- Top 25 in point standings qualify for the Olympia
- Automatic qualifications for the Olympia if you win two contests
Olympia
- 1st place – Automatic Qualification
- 2nd place – Automatic Qualification
- 3rd place – Automatic Qualification
- 4th – 12 points
- 5th – 10 points
Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, New York Pro, Romania Muscle Fest Pro, Dubai Pro
- 1st place – Automatic Qualification
- 2nd place – 14 points
- 3rd place – 11 points
- 4th place – 9 points
- 5th place – 7 points
Remaining IFBB Pro Competitions
- 1st place – 10 points
- 2nd place – 4 points
- 3rd place – 3 points
- 4th place – 2 points
- 5th place – 1 point
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