With 2024 ending, we move forward to 2025 and the first IFBB Pro event of the year, the Arnold Classic. Aside from being co-owned by seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Arnolds are a true sporting spectacle. With last year’s Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda taking center stage, this year’s bodybuilding event promises to be one to remember. 

The 2025 Arnold Classic will be held from February 27th to March 2nd, 2025. It takes place at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, US. 

Seven IFBB categories will be on show, with the winner of the men’s open taking home a whopping $500,000. If that’s not enough, the winner of each category also qualifies for the 2025 Mr. Olympia.

To keep you prepared, here’s our detailed Arnold Classic 2025 preview. In this, we look at the competitors to watch and detail the weekend schedule.

Arnold Classic 2025 Full Rosters Revealed

With just over ten weeks to go, organizers of the Arnold Sport Festival have kindly released this year’s competitor list! Here’s who’s competing including the key athletes to watch.

Arnold Classic Men’s Open Bodybuilding

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As is usually the case, the men’s open class takes center stage for the Arnold Sports festival. In what promises to be a captivating showdown, the lineup features six of the top ten Olympia finishers. 

Samson Dauda, the reigning 2024 Mr Olympia and 2023 Arnold Classic champion headlines a high-quality open class. He looks to build on his recent Olympia success by cementing his place as the new standard for the division. Alongside this, he’ll attempt to become only the fourth person to win the Olympia and Arnold in the same year. 

2023 Mr. Olympia champion Derek Lunsford makes a surprise appearance as he aims to regain some momentum. This comes after the split with his long-term coach, Hany Rambod, following his retirement. He’ll likely be Samson’s biggest rival for the $500,000 prize and the Arnold trophy.

• William Bonac
• Shaun Clarida
• Brandon Curry
• Samson Dauda
• Jonathan DeLaRosa
• James Hollingshead
• Andrew Jacked
• Derek Lunsford
• Patrick Moore
• Justin Rodriguez
• Carlos Thomas Jr.
• Akim Williams

Arnold Classic Physique

Chris Bumsteads retirement leaves the door wide open for a new classic champion to take the reigns. The Arnold Classic presents the first opportunity for athletes to lay down a marker at the start of the new year. One look at the line up and you know that it’s going to be a showstopper.

Reigning 2024 Arnold Classic champ Wesley Vissers heads a high-quality classic line-up. Following an amazing Arnold showing, 2024 was meant to be Wesley’s break-out year. After taking eight place at the 2024 Mr. Olympia, he’s looking to start the new year with another Arnold title.

His main contender will be non other than rising classic icon Mike Sommerfeld. After finishing second at the 2024 Mr. Olympia behind Chris, many are touting him as the next superstar. In what will be his first competitive appearance since, he’ll want to back up his recent Olympia success.

• Osmar Alanis
• Adejoh Franklin Audu
• Jihoon Bang
• Michael Daboul
• Logan Franklin
• Lucas Funk
• Matthew Greggo
• Junior Javorski
• Mike Sommerfeld
• Wesley Vissers
• Jeremiah Willies
• Gabriel Zancanelli

Arnold Men’s Physique

In a star-studded 12 man lineup, 2024 Men’s Physique champion Diogo Montenegro will go up against two-time champion Erin Banks. The rest of the lineup contains a mix of potential rising stars in what promises to be a great spectacle.

• Erin Banks
• Ali Bilal
• Alessandro Cavagnola
• Vitor Chaves
• Rhyan Clark
• Emmanuel Costa
• Guilherme Gualbarto
• Jason Huynh
• Diogo Montenegro
• Rafael Oliveira
• Sidy Pouye
• Dmytro Voievodchuk

Bikini International

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2024 reigning Olympia Bikini champion Lauralie Chapados will headline a stacked bikini division. Third place Olympia finisher Jasmine Gonzalez will look to go two better and get one over on her close rival.

• Maria Acosta
• Vania Auguste
• Maureen Blanquisco
• Jordan Brannon
• Ariana Brothers
• Tameika Carter
• Lauralie Chapados
• Aimee Delgado
• Jasmine Gonzalez
• Ashlyn Little
• Anastacia Spragans
• Angelica Teixeira

Wellness International 

2023 winner Kassandra Gillis goes up against 2022 winner and current 2024 Olympia Welness champion Isabelle Nunes in what should be a fiery showdown. After her two wins at the end of the 2024 season, Sina Maria Teresa will likely be challenging.

• Elisa Alcantara
• Eduarda Bezerra
• Sandra Colorado
• Lili Dong
• Kassandra Gillis
• Hye Yoon Kim
• Lisa Meiswinkel
• Isabelle Nunes
• Audrea-Ann Roy
• Sina Maria Teresa
• Brenda Victoria Reyes Villa
• Simara Walter

Fitness International

To the surprise of many, defending Arnold champ Ariel Khadr makes her eagerly anticipated return after withdrawing from the Olympia. She’s arguably the favorite our of the twelve women lineup.

• Jaclyn Baker
• Rene Brosch
• Tiffany Chandler
• Michelle Fredua-Mensah
• Michelle Gales
• Andrea Glass
• Ariel Khadr
• Minna Pajulahti
• Michaela Pavleova
• Kristin Pope
• Amber Steffen
• Tamara Vahn

Pro Wheelchair

Harold Kelley aims to add to his 2024 Olympia win after taking fourth at last years Arnold. He’ll be up against last years champion Rajesh John and runner-up Gabriele Andruilli.

• Gabriele Andruilli
• James Berger
• Bradley Betts
• Rajesh John
• Harold Kelley
• Jason Metcalf
• Kyle Roberts
• Kevin Secundino
• Steve Suppes

My Takes On This Year’s Contest

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As the first IFBB pro event of the new year, the Arnold Classic is bound to bring some excitement. However, this year is like no other before it. 

I would be lying if I didn’t mention that the Arnold is one of my favorite events. For me, it is arguably on par with Mr. Olympia, especially with such a huge increase in prize money. Alongside this, I love seeing Arnold on stage taking pictures and talking to the athletes.

Since its inception in 1989, the Arnold Classic has quickly grown to rival the Mr. Olympia. In some people’s eyes, it’s even surpassed it. With a mouth-watering $500,000 up for grabs, how could it not entice some of the world’s best bodybuilders.

After his maiden 2024 Olympia win, the news that Samson Dauda would compete immediately drew my attention. He’ll look to become only the fourth person to win both prestigious titles in the same year. If successful, he’ll join an elite list that includes Ronnie Coleman, Dexter Jackson, and Brandon Curry.

This year, we have a reigning Mr Olympia competing against a previous Mr. Olympia. We have a wide-open Classic physique division waiting for someone to step up after Chris Bumstead’s retirement. We even have Mr. Olympia 212 champion Shaun  

With just these three things considered, how can you not be excited about this year’s event?

The Arnold events continue to set the standard. With an unbelievable 2024 Mr Olympia, I firmly believe that this year’s Arnold Classic will top it. Take one look at the open competitor list and you’ll find it hard to argue otherwise.

One thing I do know is that I’ll be ready to watch and report on the event as things develop. If you were wondering who I think will win, here’s my top three predictions in the Open:

1. Samson Dauda.
2. Derek Lunsford.
3. Andrew Jacked.

Arnold Classic 2025 Bodybuilding Preview

Here is the detailed breakdown of the action-packed schedule. We’ve focused on the bodybuilding divisions as the main event. However, other events are going on that you can check out on the official Arnold site. 

Detailed Schedule

The Arnold Classic will run from Thursday, February 27th, 2025, to Sunday, March 2nd, 2025. The bodybuilding event will run from Friday until Saturday, with Sunday dedicated to other sports. 

The men’s open prejudging will run from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm on Friday, February 28th, 2025. The open finals will be held from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturday, February, 29th, 2025. 

See the table below for a breakdown of the full bodybuilding schedule.

*Please note that the dates and times may be subject to change so may not always be accurate. These will be updated as soon as possible once new information is released.

Event Coverage and Tickets

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the official Arnold Sports Festival website. Here is a detailed breakdown of the different options:

* Please note that this may be subject to change. This decision will be made by the organizers of the Arnold Sports Festival.

The VIP, Ultimate Expo, and 3-Day Pass tickets can only be purchased in advance before the event. Other tickers will be available on the door subject to availability. 

Under 14s are admitted free to the Arnold Expo when accompanied by a paying adult. This does not include any of the bodybuilding events that require a separate ticket. No refunds will be given on any ticket orders.

If you can’t attend in person, you can sign up for the free livestream on the official website. Further details regarding this will be released closer to the event date.

Conclusion

With world-class line-ups stretching over seven pro divisions, the Arnold Classic promises to be a bodybuilding event like no other. If we’re using the recent 2024 Mr. Olympia as the benchmark, we’re certainly in for a treat.

With just over ten weeks left, the athletes will continue preparing for this year’s Arnold. Fasten your seatbelt and get ready because we know it’s going to be a rollercoaster of an event.

Make sure you regularly check our website for any updates regarding the event and what to expect. We’ll be closely following it every step of the way to bring you the breaking news as it develops.

Frequently Asked Questions