Raphael Brandao (10th), William Bonac (9th), and Andrew Jacked (8th) hit rear double bis at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. All will need to win a contest in 2023 to qualify for the next Mr. Olympia. / screenshot: YouTube
There are currently 18 open men’s IFBB Pro League contests scheduled for 2023 before the Olympia on November 3-4 and three post-Olympia. That doesn’t include three masters shows, one of which is the Masters Olympia in Romania in August. There are also 14 pre-Olympia 212 pro bodybuilding contests and a whopping 36 pre-Olympia classic physique contests. For the full schedule, go here.
Let’s take a look at the open men’s bodybuilding schedule. (Contests may be cancelled, and more may be scheduled. Updated: Jan. 11.) Winners of the 18 pre-Olympia contests will qualify for the 2023 Mr. Olympia along with last year’s top five finishers: Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Brandon Curry, and Big Ramy.
ARNOLD CLASSIC
March 3-4 / Columbus, Ohio
The 35th annual Arnold Classic is bodybuilding’s second most prestigious contest after the Olympia. This will be the first year without Arnold’s longtime co-promoter Jim Lorimer, who passed away in November at 96. This will also be the first time it comes so soon after the Olympia (which was staged 2-3 months later than usual), only 10 weeks! The Arnold is the only invitation-only pro bodybuilding contest.
The lineups have been announced. For our preview of the classic physique and men’s open divisions, go here.
ARNOLC CLASSIC BRAZIL
April 14-16 / Sao Paolo, Brazil
The only IFBB Pro League open contest currently scheduled for South America. Past Arnold Classic Brazil champs include Mr. Olympias Brandon Curry and Big Ramy as well as 3-time Mr. Olympia runner-up Kai Greene.
NEW YORK PRO
May 20 / Teaneck, New Jersey
The New York Pro is by some measures the third most prestigious pro contest, largely because of the impressive roster of champs who have won it, including three Mr. Olympias (Phil Heath, Dexter Jackson, Big Ramy) and four more Arnold Classic winners (Kai Greene, Branch Warren, Cedric McMillan, Nick Walker). It’s produced by Olympia head judge Steve Weinberger.
CALIFORNIA STATE PRO
May 27 / Anaheim, California
The first of two California shows and the second of three North American shows over three consecutive Saturdays. Who will do all three?
TORONTO PRO SUPERSHOW
June 4 / Toronto, Canada
Another pro show with a long history. Mr. Olympias Ronnie Coleman (in 1998) and Brandon Curry (in 2015) are among the previous champs.
PUERTO RICO PRO
June 23-24 / San Juan, Puerto Rico
Coming a week before the Orlando Pro, this will allow competitors to peak for both of these shows.
ORLANDO PRO
July 1 / Orlando, Florida
usafitgames.com/cities/orlando
The first of two pro contests in Orlando in 2023, the other being the Olympia.
MR BIG EVOLUTION PRO
July 9 / Estoril, Portugal
The year’s first IFBB Pro League open show in Europe, providing an opportunity for non-North American contenders like Andrew Jacked, William Bonac, and Michal Krizo to Olympia-qualify closer to home.
VANCOUVER PRO
July 14-16 / Vancouver, Canada
The second open pro show in Canada. Will native son Iain Valliere repeat?
CHICAGO PRO
July 21-22 / Chicago, Illinois
Staged one week after Vancouver, this allows North American competitors to do both shows.
SPAIN PRO
July 30 / Benidorm, Spain
The first of two open pro shows in a span of two months in Spain. This one is scheduled for a seaside resort.
TAMPA PRO
August 4-5 / Tampa, Florida
One of three open pro shows in Florida and the flagship contest of prolific pro promoter Tim Gardner.
TEXAS PRO
August 19 / Irving, Texas
The next-to-last open pro show outside of Europe.
YAMAMATO PRO CUP ITALY
September 10 / Italy
The first of two Italian shows with the same promoter scheduled a month apart. Will both happen?
EUROPEAN PRO
September 17 / Alicante, Spain
Second Spanish show.
YAMAMOTO FRANCE PRO
September 28-29 / Lille, France
The year’s fifth European open pro show.
ITALY PRO
October 8 / Italy
The last European show before the Olympia. Who hasn’t Olympia-qualified yet?
LEGION SPORTS FEST PRO
October 8 / Reno, Nevada
The last North American show before the Olympia. Who hasn’t Olympia-qualified yet?
MR. OLYMPIA
November 3-4 / Orlando, Florida
The 59th annual Mr. Olympia returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, where it was staged in 2020 and 2021.
WINGS OF STRENGTH ROMANIA MUSCLE FEST PRO
November 11 / Bucharest, Romania
The first post-Olympia opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Olympia.
EVLS PRAGUE PRO
November 18-20 / Prague, Czech Republic
A two-hour flight from Bucharest, this will likely feature a similar lineup to the contest held the weekend prior.
JAPAN PRO
November 25 / Japan
The final scheduled open pro show for 2023, so far.
