Thursday is the first day of one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Here is what you can expect at Arnold Sports Festival.
Columbus, Ohio – The Arnold Sports FestivalOne of the largest multi-sport events in the world returns to Columbus on Thursday.
We expect at least 100,000 people to reach Greater Columbus Convention Center. Restaurants and neighboring companies are prepared for the influx of customers during one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Thursday begins the competitions of the American weightlifting and Arnold.
In American weightlifting, there are two force competitions: the North American Open 1 series and the national university championships. The events are capped by 1,300 combined athletes.
Competitors carry out three attempts at Snatch and Clean and Jerk Elevense. The athlete with the highest total is the winner.
This is the fifth year NAOS1 and university nationals will be held together, according to the Arnold Sports Festival website.
The ARNOLD 2025 amateur competition is open to all competitors in the world. Athletes must be members of the National Physical Committee (NPC). Canadians must have an active CPA card.
Competitors will fight, or rather, to win the overall titles in the following categories:
- Men’s bodybuilding
- Women’s bodybuilding
- Classic physics
- Women’s physics
- Aptitude
- Figure
- Bikini
- Well-being
Global winners in each category will receive professional status to participate in IFBB Pro League. The two best winners of the physics of open men and the open bikini will receive the pro status.
The American weightlifting and the amateur Arnold take place at 8 a.m. Thursday and last until 10 p.m.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., customers can buy tickets for the competition and salvation of the IFBB Pro League. They can meet the biggest stars of IFBB Pro League, including Wesley Vissers, winner of the classic Physics of Arnold 2024.
The Arnold Expo begins on Friday. You can display the calendar here.