Since the competition’s creation in 1965, 19 people have held the Mr. Olympia title. It is considered the most elite club in bodybuilding and perhaps any strength or physical sport. From 2005 to 2019, the Olympia called the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada its home. It is the 15th edition of bodybuilding’s biggest weekend. No other venue has hosted Olympia so many times in its illustrious history.
The Orleans Arena was the place where the legacies of many champions were cemented, including Ronnie Coleman (who won his eighth and final title there), Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Phil Heath, the late Shawn Rhoden and the most recent man to catch Sandow in Orleans, Brandon Curry.
Curry looks back at a historic night
When the Olympia returns to the Orleans Arena on September 25–26, Curry will make the 14th Olympia appearance of his career, the most of any Men’s Open competitor in the lineup. Curry is in a very unique position as he is the only former champion crowned in Orleans who is still competing in the competition.
Few who have qualified for the 2026 Mr. Olympia know what it’s like to stand on bodybuilding’s biggest stage, but Curry confirmed that in his career, there has been nothing like facing the huge audience watching in Orleans and holding the coveted Sandow trophy while the legendary Mr. Olympia song echoes within its walls.
“For me, it was surreal because that was where I went to my first Olympia in 2006, when Jay beat Ronnie, and I watched it from the Weider skybox,” Curry recalled. “I remember being on stage that night (he won) and trying to slow down time so I could enjoy every moment.”
When Curry won the title that night over runner-up William Bonac, experts on the sport talked more about who was in the competition than about who else was in contention. The 2018 champion, Roden, could not compete due to legal issues, seven-time winner Heath also pulled out due to recovery from hernia surgery, and the popular Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elsbiy also missed the competition.
Despite the shadow cast on the Tennessee native’s moment, the trophy weighed the same, the $400,000 prize was still worth the same, and the title was as legitimate as any other title from years past. Curry’s job was to beat everyone on the stage, not just those who weren’t there, and he figured the moment was his.
“I felt like everything was going to go my way that night.”
rule different from others
Curry may also have the most unique singles reign of any champion ever. Within months of winning the title, the world changed drastically due to the pandemic. Many gyms were closed or banned throughout 2020, athletes had to find different ways to train and prepare for shows, and competitions were rescheduled and moved to different cities, including the 2020 Olympia. Due to regulations in Las Vegas at the time, new owner Jake Wood and President Dan Solomon had to move the annual event to Orlando, Florida and move it from September to December of that year.
Issues related to the pandemic also meant that Curry’s travel was restricted, and he could not be the champion and ambassador of the game that he thought he could be.
“As soon as I was going to travel and promote the sport, the door was closed on everyone. It made everything bitter because I was unable to get the title shot as a champion and be celebrated around the world.”
Nonetheless, bodybuilding needed reason for optimism, and the way Curry carried himself throughout his 15-month reign helped it. Heath announced his return to the stage with hopes of regaining the top spot and additional buzz ensued.
Curry’s reign as champion ended at the 2020 Olympia. Some experts thought Heath would come back and take the win, but Elsby actually left the podium with the first of his two Sandoz. Curry and Heath won silver and bronze respectively. Curry hasn’t won another Olympia yet, but his one title still makes him a huge part of bodybuilding history and is a tremendous benefit to him and his family.
“Being able to see the top of the mountain will always be special to me. I never take it for granted and I still appreciate it to this day.”
Return to Orleans in 2026
The Olympia is back in Las Vegas but has been held in other locations until now. In 2026, Olympia will return to the Orleans Arena for the first time in seven years, and it will be much larger than in 2019. The wellness and fit model has brought the total number of divisions to 12, but the main event will still be the men’s open on Friday night and the final on Saturday evening.
Many new fans have joined the bodybuilding community and know how much excitement Olympia brings each year, but those who have been around for many years will confirm that Olympia in Orleans is completely different and must be experienced in person. Curry offers the same advice for athletes who have joined the pro ranks in recent years but have never graced the stage at that spot.
“There’s no other venue that can accommodate the fanfare,” Curry said. “The access and grounds are perfect for the show, and there will also be plenty of space backstage for the competitors. It will be interesting to see how athletes who have never been there will react to it because they will feel a difference when they come on stage.”
Curry is looking forward to his return to the building with which he will have a lasting relationship, but he knows he is not viewed as a favorite in this year’s competition, not even as a past champion. However, he also knows firsthand that once the men take the stage anything can happen, especially in Orleans. That’s why Curry is preparing to be a champion and will always be recognized as that champion. Many historic moments have been created at the Orleans Arena. Who’s to say he couldn’t possibly make another, or at least be a spoiler and throw a few favorites into the mix?
“Every time I come on stage, I bring a surprise. I can still be competitive and dangerous at a high level. I’m curious to see what I can do.”
To see what happens and be a part of bodybuilding history, get your tickets to the 2026 Olympia Weekend as well as the World Fitness Expo. www.mrolympia.com.
