Here’s how you can keep up with all the action in Columbus.
One of the most acclaimed events in fitness, the Arnold Sports Festival will be held from March 2-5, 2023 as the only home of Columbus, OH. Since its inception in 1989 (as just a bodybuilding show), the event has featured over 50 sporting events, an expo and plenty of sightings from the show’s namesake – seven-time Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Typically, the standout events for fans are the Arnold Classic (or AC, and other bodybuilding events) and the Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). For fans unable to attend the event in person, they can pay $59.99 per view through FanMio. It can be played on any Apple device, as well as Android TV, Google TV and Amazon’s Fire TV.
2023 ASF Event Schedule
Below is a brief (yes, that’s brief) schedule for the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival. Go to ASF’s website for a complete schedule.
Thursday, March 2
- Arnold is a hobbyist8am to 6pm, Battelle Grand
- USA Weightlifting8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- IFBB Pro League Meet & Greet7 to 9 pm, Hilton Columbus Downtown
Friday, March 3
- arnold hobbyist, 8am to 4pm, Battelle Grand
- USA Powerlifting8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – C-Pod
- USA Weightlifting8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – Union Station Ballroom
- Arnold Expo10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Arnold Strongman Classic10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Arnold Strong Woman Classic10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Classic physics prejudgingFrom 12:30 – 2 pm, Arnold Expo Stage
- Fitness International PrejudgingFrom 12:30 – 2 pm, Arnold Expo Stage
- Wellness International PrejudgingFrom 12:30 – 2 pm, Arnold Expo Stage
- Wellness International Finals7 to 9:30 pm, Battelle Grand
- Fitness International Finals7 to 9:30 pm, Battelle Grand
- Arnold Classic Predestination7 to 9:30 pm, Battelle Grand
- Classic Physics Finals7 to 9:30 pm, Battelle Grand
Saturday, March 4
- USA Powerlifting8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – C-Pod
- USA Weightlifting8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – Union Station Ballroom
- Arnold Expo10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Pro Wheelchair Prelims and Finals10 to 11 am Arnold Expo Stage
- Arnold Strongman Classic10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – Strongman Area
- Arnold Strong Woman Classic10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – Strongman Area
- Men’s Physical Prejudice11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
- Bikini International Judging11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
- Men’s Physique Finals7pm to 10pm, Battelle Grand
- Arnold Classic Finals7 to 10 pm, Battelle Grand
- Bikini International Finals7 to 10 pm, Battelle Grand
Sunday, March 5
- USA Powerlifting8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – C-Pod
- USA Weightlifting8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Columbus Convention Center – Union Station Ballroom
- Arnold Expo10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Rogue record breakers10am to 4pm, Columbus Convention Center – Strongman Area
Some of the expected top contenders for the men’s open portion of the 2023 AC include Nick Walker, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elsbie and Andrew Jacked. The winner will be awarded $300,000.
Here is the complete men’s open roster for the 2023 AC:
2023 Arnold Classic | Men’s Open Roster
For the 2023 ASC, two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltmann and 2018 World’s Strongest Woman (WSW) champion Andrea Thompson headline the men’s and women’s rosters, respectively. They are as follows:
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster | Men
*Note: Faires is replacing Maxime Boudreault who suffered a broken shin in February 2023.
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster | Women
- Tamara Walcott (US Virgin Islands)
- Andrea Thompson (United Kingdom)
- Olga Liashchuk (Ukraine)
- Inez Carrasquillo (Puerto Rico)
- Melissa Peacock (Canada)
- Hannah Linzey (United States)
- Nadia Stowers (United States)
- Victoria Long (United States)
- Samantha Belliveau (Canada)
- Donna Moore (United Kingdom)
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Events
Here are the events and schedules for the 2023 ASC:
Friday, March 3
- Incident one: Pain cycle
- Event Two: Austrian oak
Saturday, March 4
- Event Three: Elephant bar deadlift
- Event Four: Unspunnen Stone Throw
- Event Five: Frame carry
With defending ASC champion Martins Lysis and runner-up Oleksii Novikov not participating, it could be anyone’s race to win the men’s team. Meanwhile, for the women, Thompson could face stiff challenge from 2022 WSW winner Olga Liashchuk and three-time WSW winner Donna Moore (2016-2017, 2019).
The annual ASF serves as its own celebration of fitness and strength. Contestants in 2023 AC and 2023 ASC must live up to that lofty purpose.
Featured Image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram
