The Mr. Olympia 2026 qualifiers were determined through the IFBB Professional League’s 2026 Olympia Qualification System.
The qualification period began on September 15, 2025 and ended on August 30, 2026.
The official IFBB Pro League competitor page currently lists 22 Men’s Open athletes for the 2026 Olympia, while noting that the list may be updated if qualified competitors withdraw.
How to Qualify for Mr. Olympia 2026
For Men’s Open bodybuilding, the 2026 qualification system provides qualification to:
The top three athletes from the 2025 Olympia
and
The winner of each open IFBB Pro contest during the qualification period.
The OQS rules differ by division. Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini and Wellness use a points system in which the top 25 in the standings can qualify, alongside an automatic route through winning two open contests.
Current Mr. Olympia 2026 Qualified Athletes
As of the latest official IFBB Pro League update:
| Athlete | Country |
|---|---|
| Chinedu Obiekea | UAE |
| Leandro Sencini Peres | Brazil |
| Tonio Burton | USA |
| Mohamed Foda | UAE |
| Jordan Hutchinson | USA |
| Quinton Eriya | Canada |
| Martin Fitzwater | USA |
| Michal Krizanek | Slovakia |
| Regan Grimes | Canada |
| Sasan Heirati | UK |
| James Hollingshead | UK |
| Damian Kuffel | Poland |
| Brandon Curry | USA |
| Sergey Danilov | Russia |
| Samson Dauda | UK |
| Patrick Moore | USA |
| William Bonac | Netherlands |
| Behrooz Tabani Abarghani | Iran |
| Edward Kargbo | UAE |
| Nick Walker | USA |
| Andrea Presti | Italy |
| Derek Lunsford | USA |
Former Champions in the 2026 Field
The current lineup includes Derek Lunsford and Brandon Curry, both former Mr. Olympia champions.
The presence of established champions makes the 2026 contest especially significant for the Men’s Open division.
2025 Olympia Top Three
The 2026 system specifically references the top three from the 2025 Olympia for Men’s Open qualification.
The 2025 Men’s Open top three were:
- Derek Lunsford
- Hadi Choopan
- Chinedu Obiekea
Former Olympia Winners and Eligibility
The IFBB Pro League qualification rules state that former Olympia winners have lifetime eligibility, although that eligibility is not automatic in every circumstance. The rules specify that approval is required when more than five years have elapsed since the athlete’s last Olympia win.
Why the Qualifier System Matters
The Olympia is not an open-entry bodybuilding contest.
Athletes must earn the right to compete through the official qualification system, which makes each qualifying competition throughout the season important.
For fans, this creates a useful roadmap to follow the entire Road to Olympia rather than only the final September event.
Qualified Athletes Can Change
The official IFBB Pro League page says the competitor list will be updated when qualified athletes advise that they are not competing.
This page should therefore be updated whenever the official roster changes.
Related: Mr. Olympia 2026 Schedule | Mr. Olympia 2026 Results | Mr. Olympia 2026 Rules | Mr. Olympia 2026 Time