Here’s how you can keep up with all the action in Columbus.
One of the most lauded events in fitness, the Arnold Sports Festival, is set to occur from March 2-5, 2023, in its one and only home of Columbus, OH. Since its inception in 1989 (as only a bodybuilding show), the event has grown to include over 50 sporting events, an expo, and plenty of sightings from the show’s namesake — seven-time Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Typically, the stand-out events for fans are the Arnold Classic (or AC, and the other bodybuilding events) and the Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). For fans who can’t attend the event in person, they can purchase a $59.99 pay-per-view with FanMio. It can be played on any Apple device, as well as on an Android TV, Google TV, and Amazon’s Fire TV.
2023 ASF Event Schedule
Below is an abbreviated (yup, that’s abbreviated) schedule for the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival. Head to the ASF’s website for a complete schedule.
Thursday, March 2
- Arnold Amateur, from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Battelle Grand
- USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- IFBB Pro League Meet & Greet, from 7 – 9 p.m., Hilton Columbus Downtown
Friday, March 3
- Arnold Amateur, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Battelle Grand
- USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
- USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
- Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Arnold Strongman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Arnold Strongwoman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Classic Physique Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
- Fitness International Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
- Wellness International Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
- Wellness International Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
- Fitness International Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
- Arnold Classic Prejudging, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
- Classic Physique Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
Saturday, March 4
- USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
- USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 8p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
- Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Pro Wheelchair Prejudging & Finals, from 10 – 11 a.m. Arnold Expo Stage
- Arnold Strongman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
- Arnold Strongwoman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
- Men’s Physique Prejudging, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
- Bikini International Prejudging, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
- Men’s Physique Finals, from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
- Arnold Classic Finals, from 7 – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
- Bikini International Finals, from 7 – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
Sunday, March 5
- USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
- USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 8p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
- Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
- Rogue Record Breakers, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
Some expected top contenders for the Men’s Open portion of the 2023 AC include Nick Walker, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, and Andrew Jacked. There will be a $300,000 prize for the victor.
Here is the complete Men’s Open roster for the 2023 AC:
2023 Arnold Classic | Men’s Open Roster
As for the 2023 ASC, reigning two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltman 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 broke a shin bone in February 2023.
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster | Women
- Tamara Walcott (U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Andrea Thompson (United Kingdom)
- Olga Liashchuk (Ukraine)
- Inez Carrasquillo (Puerto Rico)
- Melissa Peacock (Canada)
- Hannah Linzay (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 schedule for the 2023 ASC:
Friday, March 3
- Event One: Wheel of Pain
- Event Two: The Austrian Oak
Saturday, March 4
- Event Three: Elephant Bar Deadlift
- Event Four: Unspunnen Stone Throw
- Event Five: Frame Carry
With defending ASC champion Martins Licis and runner-up Oleksii Novikov not participating, it could be anyone’s contest to win on the Men’s side. Meanwhile, for the Women, Thompson might face a stiff challenge from 2022 WSW winner Olga Liashchuk and three-time WSW winner Donna Moore (2016-2017, 2019).
The annual ASF acts as its own celebration of fitness and strength. The competitors in the 2023 AC and 2023 ASC should likely live up to that lofty objective.
Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram