Whether you’re a new fan of bodybuilding or have followed the fitness industry for years, there is nothing like your first time going to the Olympia. Being a part of such an iconic weekend is the kind of experience you can’t wait to share with your family, friends, and others. Stories about Olympia Weekend get told years after thanks to the legacy that Joe Weider created in 1965.
If the 2026 Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada is going to be your first, then you want it to be memorable for all the right reasons. That’s why we’re providing this beginner’s guide so you know where to go, what to see, and more.
The easiest way to find almost everything about the Olympia Weekend can be found at www.mrolympia.com. That’s where you can buy your tickets to the World Fitness Expo, the Friday and Saturday night Finals in the Orleans Arena, and all the details about who is competing in the 12 world championship bodybuilding events that you get to watch throughout the weekend. If you or someone you know is competing in the Amateur Olympia, you can find a full schedule there for that event as well.
The Olympia website is also where you can see the entire schedule for Olympia Week, learn more about the sponsors, and plan your day at the World Fitness Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The World Fitness Expo
Speaking of the LVCC, that’s one of three places you need to know so you can keep up with everything happening during the Olympia Weekend. It is also where the Olympia prejudging will be held for 11 of the 12 pro Olympia divisions and both rounds of the Wheelchair and new Fit Model divisions.
There’s also many more sports featured and championships being contested outside of bodybuilding, including powerlifting, strongman, armlifting, armwrestling, and more. Your World Fitness Expo pass gets you access to all of them, and you can browse the booths of the leading brands in the industry while scoring free samples and gear or taking advantage of sales. There’s a floor plan that you can see and save here.
Keep your camera on your phone ready, though, because you never know when your favorite athlete, legend, influencer, or celebrity is going to show up. There could be a once in a lifetime chance to get a selfie and chat with someone who you look up to. Don’t miss it.
Where Are the Key Olympia Venues and Free Shuttle Services Located?
The legendary Palms Casino and Resort is the official host hotel for this year’s Olympia. Even if you’re not staying there, you’ll want to stop in to train at Flex Lewis’ Dragon Lair pop-up gym starting on Wednesday, September 23rd and attend the 2026 International Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, September 26th at 12:30 PM.
The Palms will kickstart the Olympia festivities with the Superstar Kickoff Party at the Palms Pool, and they will close it out with the VIP after party following the Saturday night finals and the Olympia Champions Seminar on Sunday, September 27th at 11:00 AM. That will be the only chance to see all the 2026 champions and hear them speak before the big weekend wraps up.
Word of advice: Don’t count on tickets being available at the door. Score them now at mrolympia.com so you can be assured you will see history be made in-person. Whether you’re at the Palms or the World Fitness Expo during the day, there will be shuttle buses available for you to make it to the Orleans in time for finals. The shuttle schedule will be posted in all three locations and can be found on the Olympia website. If you’re driving around on your own or taking public transportation, make sure you keep the parking information for the Orleans Arena and Palms close so you know where to go and how to get there.
Full Event Schedule for 2026 Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas
For the first time since 2019, the Olympia finals will be held at the Orleans Arena, where many of bodybuilding’s greatest moments have been made. Friday night finals will begin at 6:00 PM Pacific time, and the Saturday night finals will begin at 7:00 PM. The finals for the divisions featured on both nights are listed below.
Friday, September 25th
- Figure Olympia
- Women’s Physique Olympia
- Wellness Olympia
- 212 Olympia
- Ms. Olympia
- Classic Physique Olympia
- PLUS Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging
Saturday, September 26th
- Fitness Olympia
- Men’s Physique Olympia
- Bikini Olympia
- Mr. Olympia Finals
Make Your First Time To The Olympia a Lifelong Memory
Going to the Olympia should be an experience to remember for all the right reasons. You will get to see the most prestigious bodybuilding event of the year, hang out in the Entertainment Capital of the World, and enjoy moments that will motivate you to train even harder once you return home.
One last tip: Once you capture all those amazing photos and videos, make sure you tag @mrolympiallc and use the hashtag #Olympia2026 so the fans that didn’t make it will know just how special the Olympia is and that you got to be a part of it all.