You've probably seen the headlines already. Arnold Schwarzenegger just dropped a massive bomb by announcing the 2026 prize money is jumping to $750,000, but honestly, everyone is still reeling from the absolute chaos that was the 2025 stage. If you missed the live action in Columbus, or if you're trying to piece together how the weekend actually unfolded, you're in the right spot. This isn't just a list of times. It’s a breakdown of the weekend that basically changed the hierarchy of bodybuilding.
The 2025 Arnold Sports Festival wasn't just another show. It was a statement. From February 27 to March 2, the Greater Columbus Convention Center became the literal center of the fitness universe. We saw Derek Lunsford make history, a massive prize purse of $500,000 on the line, and some of the most shocking upsets in recent memory.
The Reality of the Arnold Classic 2025 Schedule
People often think these shows are just about the Saturday night finals. Wrong. The real work—and the real drama—happens during the prejudging rounds where the judges start moving guys around in the callouts. If you weren't following the Arnold Classic 2025 schedule minute-by-minute, you missed the moment Wesley Vissers realized his title was slipping away.
Thursday, February 27: The Amateur Takeover
The weekend kicked off early. While most fans don't arrive until Friday, Thursday is when the future of the sport is decided.
- Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding: This ran all day starting at 8:00 a.m.
- The Sam Sulek Factor: This was the day Sam Sulek officially secured his IFBB Pro Card. The hype in the room was unlike anything I've ever seen for an amateur.
Friday, February 28: The War Begins
Friday is when the "Big Boys" and the elite women hit the stage. This year, the energy at the Battelle Grand was electric.
- 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.: The Arnold Expo opened. If you’ve never been, it’s basically a mosh pit of protein samples and fitness celebrities.
- 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Fitness International, Classic Physique, and Wellness International Prejudging.
- 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: Friday Night Finals. This is where we saw Eduarda Bezerra take the Wellness title and Jaclyn Baker win Fitness International.
- The Men's Open Prejudging: This happened late Friday night. Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda went head-to-head, and you could hear a pin drop when they stood side-by-side.
Saturday, March 1: The Heavy Hitters
Saturday is the marathon. If you’re a fan of the classic look or the mass monsters, this was your day.
- 10:00 a.m.: Pro Wheelchair Prejudging & Finals. Rajesh John pulled off an incredible win here.
- 11:00 a.m.: Men’s Physique and Bikini International Prejudging.
- 7:00 p.m.: The Main Event. The Arnold Classic Men’s Open Finals and the Classic Physique Finals.
The shocker? Mike Sommerfeld took down the defending champ Wesley Vissers in Classic Physique. Nobody saw that coming. Then, in the Open, Derek Lunsford walked away with the $500,000 check.
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Why the Prize Money Shifted Everything
Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't playing around. He explicitly said he’s "tired of waiting around" for other shows to catch up. By offering $500,000 for the 2025 winner, he forced the top guys like Derek Lunsford—who usually only does the Olympia—to show up in Columbus.
It’s a power move.
And it worked. The 2025 lineup was deeper than most Olympias we've seen in the last decade. When you have James Hollingshead, William Bonac, and Akim Williams fighting for 5th and 6th place, you know the level of competition is through the roof.
Beyond the Stage: The Strongman Chaos
You can't talk about the schedule without mentioning the Arnold Strongman Classic. It ran concurrently on Friday and Saturday at the Expo Stage.
- Elephant Bar Deadlift: Mitchell Hooper reminded everyone why he’s the king of the world right now.
- The Timber Carry: A brutal test of grip strength that saw several veterans struggle.
- The Overhead Medley: This happened on Saturday afternoon and basically sealed the podium spots.
The Strongman side of the Arnold is usually "the loud part" of the weekend. If you were near the main expo stage on Saturday afternoon, the sound of 400-pound men dropping logs was enough to shake the floor of the convention center.
Actionable Takeaways for Future Fans
If you’re planning your trip for next year based on what we learned from the 2025 madness, keep these things in mind.
- Book the Downtown Hotels Early: People wait until December and end up staying 20 miles away in Dublin or Westerville. If you want to be in the mix, you need to be within walking distance of High Street.
- Get the VIP Ticket for Finals: The Expo is cool, but trying to see the Men's Open finals from the back of the room is a nightmare. Spend the extra money for a reserved seat in the Battelle Grand.
- Watch the Prejudging: Honestly, the show is won on Friday morning/afternoon. The Saturday night finals are a celebration, but the judging is mostly done by then.
- The Arnold App is a Lifesaver: The schedule changes. Athletes get moved. The app is usually the only place with real-time updates when a session runs long.
The 2025 Arnold Classic proved that the "off-season" doesn't exist anymore. With the prize money skyrocketing to $750,000 for 2026, expect the schedule to get even more packed as more athletes jump into the fray. Whether you're there for the bodybuilding, the strongman, or just to see Arnold himself, the Friday through Sunday gauntlet is the most intense weekend in the industry.