Dan Solomon Confirms 2026 Mr. Olympia Will Stay in Las Vegas with a Bigger Venue Announcement Coming Soon!

[Kayce]

The Olympia Weekend Continues Its Legacy in Las Vegas​

The Mr. Olympia, the world’s most prestigious bodybuilding event, will remain in Las Vegas for 2026, as confirmed by Olympia President Dan Solomon. Following the success of the 2025 edition, Solomon revealed during the Olympia Champions Seminar that while the city remains the same, fans can expect a brand-new venue designed to accommodate more spectators and deliver an upgraded experience.

“We’re making some moves next year that are going to create those opportunities,” Solomon said. “I’m very excited to share that with you.”

New Venue Aimed at Bigger Crowds and Better Experience​

Solomon’s vision is clear: more seats, better visibility, and accessible pricing. The 2025 Olympia took place across two major Las Vegas locations—the Las Vegas Convention Center for prejudging and the Resorts World Theatre for finals. While fans praised the atmosphere, some noted lighting and space concerns during prejudging.

To address that, Solomon confirmed a move to a larger, more versatile venue. “Next week or so we’re going to announce where it’s going to be,” he said. “What we do is we always try to figure out ways to put more people in the building.”

He added that the new setup will allow fans across all budgets to experience the Olympia in person—something that has been a major priority for the organization.

Over $2 Million in Prize Money, Record Fan Engagement​

The 61st Olympia Weekend divided more than $2 million in prize money among 11 IFBB Pro League divisions, proving that bodybuilding continues to grow both financially and globally. The Men’s Open Division alone drew immense attention as Derek Lunsford reclaimed the Sandow trophy from Samson Dauda, ending the champion’s bid for a repeat victory.

This year’s competition saw record attendance and global livestream views, underscoring the need for a larger venue in 2026.

Addressing Fan Concerns and Ticket Accessibility​

One of Solomon’s key motivations for the venue change was ticket affordability and fan inclusivity. “This building is expensive,” he explained. “It’s a major commitment to come out here. The tickets are expensive, the venue is smaller, which forces us to have to create pricing that isn’t friendly for everybody.”

With a new location, organizers intend to expand capacity, open tiered pricing options, and ensure more bodybuilding fans can attend the event in person.

Global Expansion Still on the Table​

While Solomon confirmed the event will remain in the United States for 2026, there are ongoing discussions about future international Olympias. Several insiders, including Shawn Ray, have suggested that destinations such as Dubai could help boost prize money and global exposure.

Former Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler has also voiced ideas for post-event press conferences, similar to the UFC and WWE, where athletes address fans and media together, creating more transparency and hype.

2026 Olympia: Bigger, Better, and Built for the Fans​

The 2026 Mr. Olympia is shaping up to be the most fan-focused Olympia in history. A larger venue, improved production quality, and expanded seating capacity signal a major evolution for the sport’s biggest weekend.

As Solomon put it, “We always try to put more people in the building.” With the 2026 event staying in Las Vegas and the official venue announcement just around the corner, bodybuilding fans worldwide have reason to be excited.