When Joe Weider created the Mr. Olympia competition in 1965, the focus was solely on bodybuilding with the goal of determining the true number one athlete in the sport. Over the course of six decades, the Olympia has evolved from a one-day competition to a weekend celebration of all things fitness. Calling it “bodybuilding’s biggest weekend” would no longer give this prestigious event the credit it deserves. Olympia has now become a global event on the sporting calendar.
Attendees who are smart enough to snag a pass to the Olympia World Fitness Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 25-26 will get access to more than just a complementary brand trade show, they’ll get a chance to witness history and watch world-class athletes across multiple sports and fitness disciplines demonstrate their greatness. Below is a sample of what fans can expect in the last week of September.
Armwrestling at Olympia 2026: What fans can expect
Arm wrestling matches are known to stop the audience in their tracks. There is something about the clash between two rivals that keeps fans engaged throughout the weekend, and there will be even more of that in 2026.
Ultimate Armwrestling League (UAL) is a leading organization dedicated to showcasing this classic game at its most powerful and powerful. Details of their 2026 program have not been revealed yet, but you can be sure it will be worth a look.
Armlifting World Championships return to Olympia weekend
The 2025 Armlifting World Championships wowed spectators on the Olympia Expo stage, and promoter Riccardo Magni expects around 100 international athletes to gather in Las Vegas for the 2026 edition.
Athletes test their grip by lifting the heaviest weights possible with a variety of challenging handles that test pure grip strength. Like powerlifting, it consists of multiple events and lifters get three attempts to complete successful lifts with maximum weight. Qualifying is still taking place but will end in early August. You can find more information about the game and its events here their website.
MAS Wrestling World Championships brings Siberian strength to Las Vegas
When it comes to this sport and how it is introduced in the United States, strength icon Odd Haugen has been a pioneer. MAS wrestling, which originated in Siberia, requires two athletes to sit facing each other with their legs straight and their feet placed in front of a center support board. Then they grab a stick and pull it against each other like a tug of war. The athlete who can pull the stick across the center from his opponent’s hand or from the opponent’s own hand is the winner.
The Olympia World Fitness Expo hosts the annual MAS Wrestling Olympia World Championships, hosted by Haugen. Men and women will compete in round robin tournaments to crown winners in different weight categories. Those winners would then compete in separate events for the glory of winning the men’s and women’s World Absolute Championship belts.
Olympic weightlifting takes center stage at the 2026 Olympia Expo
No strength sports festival would be complete without Olympic lifting, which is why the American Barbell Talon Cup will host the USA Weightlifting sanctioned event in Las Vegas this September.
The intensity and standards of excellence that come with performing the snatch and clean & jerk under USAW rules and officiating will be paired with the prestige that only the Olympia can provide. Details of their specific plans for the Las Vegas Convention Center are expected to be announced in the near future.
Powerlifting events and bench wars at 2026 Olympia
Olympia is known for bodybuilding, but it also has a long association with powerlifting. Just like those who have earned their place on bodybuilding stages, many lifters are preparing to step onto an international elite stage at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Both the International Powerlifting League and Powerlifting USA will hold full meets during Olympia weekend. World Powerlifting Organization (WPO) will also host it 2026 bench wars The meet, which will feature equipped athletes to literally and figuratively push the bar forward when it comes to extreme weight. Inzer will also perform strict curl competitions to see who has the strongest biceps.
Strongman Competition Returns to Olympia Performance Weekend
The 2026 Strongman competition will return to the Olympia Performance Weekend on September 25 and 26, and fans can expect to see rare and raw power at a variety of weights and equipment across multiple disciplines. The events typically include classic strongman staples such as the yoke carry, atlas stone, and log press, as well as rotating equipment that keeps both competitors and spectators guessing.
The Strongman event is open to qualified competitors and is free to watch on the expo floor. Fans who stop by to watch stay for most of the competition and are inspired to push their limits the next time they train.
Sumo wrestling at Olympia: Openweight battles and global talent
“Sumo Dan” Kalbflisch has won numerous sumo wrestling competitions throughout his career, but today he is best known as the host of the program Sumo Dan Olympia. Every year on the Friday of the World Fitness Expo, Kalbfleisch organizes a training day to introduce people interested in the sport and give them a chance to participate.
The Sumo Dan Tournament takes place on Saturday in Olympia, featuring men and women from around the world who gather in Las Vegas for Olympia glory. There are weight classes and an “openweight” event where athletes from different weight classes can go head-to-head.
You can see all of these events and more at the 2026 Olympia World Fitness Expo in Las Vegas by pre-ordering an Expo Pass at www.mrolympia.com. VIP admission begins at 8am Pacific Time on both Friday and Saturday. General admission will start at 9 am. Follow @mrolympiallc on Instagram to stay updated on what’s happening in Las Vegas.
