What this means is less competitors!https://generationiron.com/ifbb-pro-league-significant-changes-2026-olympia-qualification/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.
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
