What is Mr. Olympia?

In one line

Mr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the men's bodybuilding division at the yearly pro contest 'the Olympia', and also the name of that division.

What is Mr. Olympia?
A contest name you often hear in bodybuilding
Talk about bodybuilding and the name 'Mr. Olympia' always comes up. It can mean a contest, and it can also be what the winner is called. This post explains what the contest is and who gets to enter it.
In one line
The men's bodybuilding title at the pro contest 'the Olympia'
Mr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the men's bodybuilding division (officially 'Men's Open Bodybuilding') at the Olympia, a pro contest held every year by the IFBB Pro League, the body that runs pro contests. The name is also used for the division itself. Because it is a pro contest, only competitors with pro status enter.
How it began
The first pro contest, New York, 1965
The first Mr. Olympia was held in September (month 9) 1965 in New York, USA. It was the first pro contest the IFBB ever held. Today the contest is officially approved by the IFBB Pro League, which is separate from the IFBB.
Olympia weekend
An event with many divisions
Today 'the Olympia' is an event lasting several days, with pro contests in 12 men's and women's divisions. Besides men's bodybuilding, divisions such as Classic Physique, Men's Physique, Bikini, and Wellness each crown their own winner. The 2026 event was held in September (month 9) in Las Vegas, USA.
Who gets in
Only pros who have qualified
Having a pro card does not mean you can enter the Olympia. In men's bodybuilding, those who placed in the top 3 at the previous year's Olympia enter, or those who won another pro contest held during a set qualification period. So in men's bodybuilding, even after turning pro, you have to place high again at the pro level to reach the Olympia stage.
Different rules for each division
Some divisions qualify by points
In Classic Physique, Men's Physique, Bikini, and Wellness, competitors earn points for their placings at pro contests, and the top 20 in the points standings enter the Olympia. Winning one of the named major pro contests, or winning two pro contests, gets you in regardless of points.
The Amateur Olympia
Pro cards on offer at the same event
During the Olympia event, an 'Amateur Olympia' is also held in the same city. It is an amateur contest with pro cards as the prize (a Pro Qualifier), and when enough competitors enter it gives up to 3 pro cards per division. The amateur stage and the pro stage sit inside one event.
Common misconception
Is every Olympia winner 'Mr. Olympia'?
No. Mr. Olympia is the title only for the winner of the men's bodybuilding division. Other divisions are named separately with the division's name, such as 'Classic Physique Olympia' or 'Bikini Olympia'. The women's bodybuilding winner is called 'Ms. Olympia'.
Summary
The winner's title in Olympia men's bodybuilding
Mr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the men's bodybuilding division at the pro contest the Olympia, and the name of that division. Winners of the Olympia's other divisions are named separately with their division's name. Related terms: pro card, bodybuilding federation, bodybuilding division.