The 2016 Arnold Sports Festival and the world-renowned Arnold Classic bodybuilding championships will celebrate its 28th Anniversary in 2016 when the four- day health and fitness celebration presents more than 50 sports and events March 3-6, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Arnold Sports Festival will attract an estimated 185,000 sports and fitness fans to watch 18,000 athletes compete in 50 sports and events, including 14 Olympic events, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus and the Ohio Expo Center.
The Arnold Classic and related IFBB Pro League events and the Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding Championships will be held in the Battelle Grand and on the Arnold Fitness EXPO Stage at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. An expanded Arnold SportsWorld EXPO For Kids & Teens will be held March 5-6 at the Ohio Expo Center. Archery, Cheerleading, Table Tennis, CrossFit Endeavor and Equestrian are among events at the Ohio Expo Center.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer have co-produced the Arnold Sports Festival since 1989, when it debuted as a one-day bodybuilding competition known as the Arnold Classic. The Arnold Sports Festival has steadily grown over the years and is now a four-day festival that features professional and amateur bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting and strongman. Also featured is a lineup of youth sports that includes gymnastics, cheerleading and dance, fencing, martial arts and many others.
The three-day Arnold Fitness EXPO features more than 900 booths of the latest in sports equipment, apparel and nutrition and two stages that host competitions and entertainment. The Arnold Fitness EXPO will be held March 4-6, 2016 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
New in 2016 is the Arnold Miss Teen Fitness Pageant which helps to promote fit and healthy lifestyles for young women. The winner, crowned by Schwarzenegger, will be an advocate for raising awareness of health and fitness.
Olympic sports in which youth compete and Olympians or Olympic hopefuls appear include archery, boxing, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate, running, swimming, table tennis, tae kwon do, tennis, track & field and weightlifting.
Europa Sports Products is the presenting sponsor of the Arnold Sports Festival.
Hours: Thursday 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Arnold Fitness EXPO hours: Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: A daily EXPO ticket ($15 each or 3 for $30 in advance or $20 at door; children 14 and under are admitted FREE) includes admission to most events, the Arnold Fitness EXPO and the Arnold SportsWorld EXPO For Kids & Teens. Professional and amateur bodybuilding events; Arnold Sunday Showcase at the Hilton Columbus; Amateur MMA Festival at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion; and the Arnold Party With The Pros at the Hollywood Casino require a separate ticket. Arnold VIP Ticket Packages are available for $350 and $600 and include a variety of exclusive benefits and premium seating to many events.
Web: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000.