Essential Tips for Attending Your First Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas

Attending the Olympia Weekend for the first time is an exhilarating experience that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re new to bodybuilding or a seasoned fan, being part of this legendary event is something worth sharing with friends and family. With the 2026 Olympia set to unfold in Las Vegas, Nevada, planning ahead is essential for a memorable visit.

Your go-to resource for all things Olympia is www.mrolympia.com. Here, you can purchase tickets for the World Fitness Expo and the finals at the Orleans Arena, and access comprehensive details on competitors in the various world championship bodybuilding events throughout the weekend. If you’re supporting a participant in the Amateur Olympia, the site provides a complete schedule for this event as well.

The Olympia website also features the complete event schedule, which helps you navigate the various activities and learn more about sponsors, ensuring you maximize your experience at the World Fitness Expo hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The World Fitness Expo

Located at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the World Fitness Expo is a hub of activity during the Olympia Weekend, hosting the prejudging for 11 pro Olympia categories along with both rounds of the Wheelchair and Fit Model divisions. Beyond bodybuilding, you can also engage with various sports like powerlifting, strongman, and armwrestling.

Your Expo ticket grants access to countless booths from leading industry brands where you can score free samples and discover products through exclusive sales. For planning purposes, a floor map is available here.

Keep your camera handy—celebrity athletes often show up unexpectedly, and you might just snag a memorable selfie or two with your fitness idols.

Key Venues and Transportation

This year's official host hotel is the iconic Palms Casino and Resort. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s worth a visit. Flex Lewis’ Dragon Lair pop-up gym opens on Wednesday, September 23rd, and the 2026 International Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place Saturday at 12:30 PM.

The Palms will launch the weekend with the Superstar Kickoff Party at the pool, and it will conclude with the VIP afterparty following the finals on Saturday, along with the Olympia Champions Seminar on Sunday at 11:00 AM. It’s a rare opportunity to hear insights from the newly crowned champions.

A word of caution: Don’t rely on door ticket sales. Purchase in advance through mrolympia.com to ensure you witness this historic event live. For convenience, shuttle buses will connect the Palms, World Fitness Expo, and the Orleans Arena for final events. Schedules will be posted at each site and on the Olympia website to assist your navigation.

2026 Olympia Event Schedule

The finals return to the Orleans Arena for the first time since 2019, a venue steeped in bodybuilding history. The Friday night finals kick off at 6:00 PM Pacific, followed by Saturday’s finals at 7:00 PM. Here’s what to anticipate on each night:

Friday, September 25th

• Figure Olympia
• Women’s Physique Olympia
• Wellness Olympia
• 212 Olympia
• Ms. Olympia
• Classic Physique Olympia
• Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging

Saturday, September 26th

• Fitness Olympia
• Men’s Physique Olympia
• Bikini Olympia
• Mr. Olympia Finals

Creating Lasting Memories

Your experience at the Olympia should be unforgettable, filled with excitement and inspiration. You'll witness the pinnacle of bodybuilding talent and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Las Vegas, fueling your own motivation to train harder when you return home.

One last tip: After capturing your favorite moments, don’t forget to tag @mrolympiallc and include the hashtag #Olympia2026. Share the magic of the Olympia with those who couldn’t attend, and let them know what makes this event special!