Qualifications and Eligibility for 2026 Arnold Amateur
ALL ATHLETES MUST READ THESE RULES TO VERIFY YOU ARE ELIGIBLE.
Everything is covered here, but if you have questions, write arnoldamateur@npcevents.com
The 2026 Arnold Amateur is OPEN TO ALL COMPETITORS around the world, regardless of federation affiliation as long as you meet these PRE-QUALIFYING RULES. Choose below to see the rules for your country.
FIND THE SECTION BELOW WHICH APPLIES TO YOUR COUNTRY
ARE YOU FROM THE UNITED STATES?
HERE ARE QUALIFYING RULES FOR ATHLETES FROM THE UNITED STATES:
You will compete under USA rules if you are a US Citizen, valid green card holder or have lived in the US 4 months or more and have proof of residency. If you are a citizen of another country but have lived in the US for 4 months or more, you compete under USA rules
OPEN DIVISION RULES
FOR ATHLETES FROM UNITED STATES
citizens, green card, residents of US
RULES FOR USA ATHLETES COMPETING IN OPEN DIVISIONS
If from the USA, you must have competed in the NPC since January 2025 and meet the following rules:
OPEN DIVISION athletes from U.S. must have placed in TOP TWO of an OPEN CLASS at an NPC national qualifier in the United States since January 2025. This must be an OPEN NON TESTED EVENT, and NOT A NATURAL event.
OR
Placed in the TOP 5 of an OPEN class at one of the following 2025 NPC or NPC Worldwide (USA) Pro Qualifier contests. Events before 2025 do not pre-qualify you for the 2026 Arnold Amateur..
NPC NATIONAL EVENTS:
NPC Junior USA Championships
NPC Wheelchair Nationals
NPC Junior National Championships
NPC Universe & National Fitness Championships
NPC USA Championships
NPC National Championships
NPC WORLDWIDE (USA):
Arnold Amateur (USA)
North American Championships (USA)**
Olympia Amateur (USA)
MASTERS DIVISION RULES
FOR ATHLETES FROM UNITED STATES
citizens, green card, residents of US
MASTERS DIVISIONS just must have competed at an NPC national qualifier since January 2025. No placing is required. Pro cards are not awarded in Masters divisions. If you want to be in an OPEN division, you must meet the OPEN division rules above
PROOF OF USA CITIZENSHIP OR RESIDENCY
Proof of USA citizenship or residency must be one of the following:
A birth certificate, voter’s registration card, Military discharge papers. Naturalization Papers(Form N560), Consular Service Form FS24 for those born outside of the United States to United States parents, or a valid United States Green Card
Residency:
Note: Residency is four (4) months prior to a contest or must be a full time student in the area and must provide proof of residency at checkin, such as utility bills or other documents proving you have lived in US for at least 4 months.
ARE YOU FROM CANADA?
CANADIAN ATHLETES
Top 15 from each class in any open pro qualifier in Canada qualify to the Arnold classic for 12 months from said open pro qualifier.
Contact the CPA at ronhache@unitz.ca for any additional info for Canadian competitors
ARE YOU FROM A COUNTRY OTHER THAN the U.S. AND CANADA?
QUALIFYING RULES FOR ATHLETES FROM ANY COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA
Athletes from most countries are required to pre-qualify in their HOME COUNTRY since January 2025! See info below.
WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE REGIONAL PRE-QUALIFYING RULES?
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW
go to the link and read "RULE #4" to see if your country is included
OPEN DIVISION RULES
FOR ATHLETES FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY BESIDES USA AND CANADA
OPEN DIVISION athletes who are from countries OTHER THAN the United States and Canada must have competed in an OPEN class at an NPC regional event in their HOME COUNTRY, since January 2025, if their country requires REGIONAL NPC Pre-Qualification in the LINK ABOVE!! This must be an open NON TESTED event and NOT a Natural event. No placing is required but you must pre qualify in home country if your country is on the list.
To find the countries with regional pre-qualifying (regional certificate) requirements:
CLICK HERE
and read rule #4 on that link
MASTERS DIVISION RULES
FOR ATHLETES FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY BESIDES USA AND CANADA
The MASTERS rules are the same as OPEN (above) except the pre-qualifying class must have been a MASTERS CLASS NOT an open class.
REGIONAL PRE QUALIFYING
If your country has a regional qualifying rule (see CLICK HERE link above), you do NOT need to PHYSICALLY GET a regional certificate, as we can track your contest history, but you must have pre-qualified in your HOME COUNTRY.
WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE REGIONAL PRE-QUALIFYING RULES?
TO REVIEW:
CLICK HERE
LETTERS OF INVITATION
FOR ATHLETES FROM OUTSIDE THE US and CANADA
In some countries outside the US, a letter of invitation may be requested to allow the athlete to travel or obtain a visa to compete in the event. If you DO require a letter of invitation, please REGISTER and PAY FOR THIS EVENT (The Arnold Amateur), and then you can generate an invitation letter from your "athlete profile", which will be sent to you after you register.
NPC CARDS
All athletes (except Canadian athletes) must be a member of the National Physique Committee.
Canadian athletes must have an active CPA card.
US ATHLETES NEED A VALID NPC USA CARD
ATHLETES FROM OUTSIDE THE US AND CANADA NEED JUST AN NPC WORLDWIDE CARD. USA card not required for athletes from outside the US and Canada
CARDS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE THE EVENT AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT CHECKIN. Purchase from the entry form on this site!
CARDS ARE NOT SOLD AT THE EVENT. PRE-PURCHASE ONE from entry form
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS:
If you have further questions on qualifying requirements or this Arnold Amateur event, please review everything above. If your question is not covered here, please contact arnoldamateur@npcevents.com.
