Competition Calendar
The bodybuilding competition season in the United States typically runs April-November with the offseason during the winter. Below is a curated list of quality bodybuilding competitions Coach Biff will be sponsoring, have clients at, or are within a driving radius of 6 hours or less of Rochester, NY.
Shows are posted as they’re set, finalized, & confirmed with the promoters. The flyers, links to register, and other information will be updated as it becomes available. However, the full calendar is not officially published until around mid-January. Schedules are subject to change.
Note: Ideally a prep is at least 16 weeks (112 days). It can be done in as little as 10 weeks (70 days) if you're already in really good shape. I prefer 20 weeks (140 days) so we have a buffer to really come in peeled!
Unless otherwise noted, each of these shows is an NPC National Qualifier which means a competitor placing 1st or 2nd in a division's Open class will earn the opportunity to compete for an IFBB Pro Card at a regional or national-level championship. Coach Biff is an NPC-registered trainer and can be backstage with you when you compete.
The schedule below includes both drug tested ("natural") and untested competitions. The rules governing natural/tested shows are HERE, including the Prohibited Substances list.
2026 SEASON - NPC/IFBB
Feb. 7, 2026 – NPC Stage-Ready Workshop
Event Website (Registration not required)
Bev Francis Gym in Syosset (NYC), NY – ~5.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: This free long-running annual event is for any bodybuilder who is interested in competing. Guests include Jay Cutler, Sadik Hadzovic, and Nick Walker. Event held from 1-4pm at the "East Coast Mecca" which is historically packed so arrive early!
Mar. 5-8, 2026 – NPC Worldwide Arnold Amateur Championships
Competition Website (Register here)
Columbus, OH – 6 hours away
Biff’s Note: This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card. All entries also receive a 3-day pass to the Arnold Expo!
Apr. 4, 2026 – NPC Buffalo Championships
Competition Website (Register here)
Buffalo, NY – 1.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: This show is "under new management" this year so let's see how they do!
Apr. 11, 2026 – NPC Natural Ohio Championships
Competition Website (Register here)
Avon (Cleveland), OH – 4.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: Hands down the best natural (drug-tested) NPC competition around! First of two high quality drug-free shows each year. Open to all competitors, not just Ohio residents. Competitors get awesome swag bags and can win enormous trophies. Big expo full of bodybuilding stars – lots of fun!
May 9, 2026 – IFBB/NPC Pro/AM
Competition Website (Register here)
Teaneck, NJ – 5.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: Amateurs and Pros will each have their own show on the same stage at the first big competition after the Arnold! This is an excellent opportunity to be seen and judged by the best - get invaluable feedback!
May 16-17, 2026 – Jim Manion’s Pittsburgh Power & Fitness Festival
Event Website (Register here)
Pittsburgh, PA – 4.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: This is a chance to go PRO in the IFBB as a drug-tested natural athlete! Since this is an IFBB Pro Qualifier, this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card. There will also be an IFBB pro competition and guests such as Chris Bumstead and Derek Lunsford. Lots of other sports and an expo with vendors.
May 23, 2026 – NPC Northcoast Championships
Competition Website (Register here)
Streetsboro (Cleveland), OH – 5 hours away
May 29-30, 2026 – NPC Jr. USA Championships
Competition Website (Register here)
Charleston, SC
Biff’s Note: This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card.
June 19-20, 2026 – NPC Jr. Nationals Championship
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Chattanooga, TN
Biff’s Note: This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card.
June 27, 2026 – NPC Greater NY Championships
Competition Website (Register here)
Syracuse, NY – 1.5 hours away
July 2-4, 2026 – NPC Universe Championship
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Teaneck, NJ – 5.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: Only the Men's Open Bodybuilding is drug tested. This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card.
July 15-18, 2026 – NPC Teen, Collegiate & Masters Nationals Championships
Competition Website (Register here)
Pittsburgh, PA – 4.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: This national-level championship/IFBB Pro Qualifier is open to all American NPC athletes who have competed since January 2025 - this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card in Masters or the championship title in the Teen/Collegiate classes.
July 25, 2026 – NPC Western NY Championships
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Buffalo, NY – 1.5 hours away
July 25, 2026 – NPC USA Championship
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Las Vegas, NV
Biff’s Note: This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card.
Sep. 2-5, 2026 – NPC North American Championships
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Pittsburgh, PA – 4.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card.
Sep. 26, 2026 – NPC Amateur Olympia USA
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Las Vegas, NV
Biff’s Note: Olympia Weekend runs Sep. 24-27 at The Palms. This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card.
Oct. 10, 2026 – NPC Natural Northern USA Championships
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Avon (Cleveland), OH – 4.5 hours away
Biff’s Note: The second big, natural (drug-tested) NPC competition in the region! Competitors get awesome swag bags and can win enormous trophies. Large expo full of bodybuilding stars – lots of fun!
Nov. 13-14, 2026 – IFBB/NPC Ben Weider Naturals Pro/Am
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Alexandria, VA
Biff’s Note: This is the worldwide pinnacle natural (drug-tested) bodybuilding event for the IFBB/NPC! Amateur athletes must pre-qualify - this cannot be your first competition. The top 2 overall in each open division will earn their IFBB Pro Card and in the masters divisions each overall champion earns their IFBB Pro Card.
Dec. 11-12, 2026 – NPC National Championships
Competition Website (Registration not yet available)
Irving, TX
Biff’s Note: This is an IFBB Pro Qualifier so this cannot be your first competition. If you are "nationally qualified," you are eligible to enter and compete in this show for your IFBB Pro Card.
Other Shows
There are too many competitions out there to maintain an exhaustive list here. Below are the links to the full calendars for the various organizations.
NPC | OCB | SSC (Summer Shredding Community)Competition Calendar Page Last Updated: 21 Jan. 2026
UNSURE WHICH SHOW IS FOR YOU?
Competition strategy includes choosing the right show at the right time for YOU! Coach Biff can help you identify, register, prep and pose for the best show for you, wherever you are in the world. Click the button below to discuss it with him!
Competition Dates
Check out the calendar to pick out a quality bodybuilding competition to prepare for!
Or we can work together to prep for a photoshoot, high school reunion, or upcoming vacation - I'll help you look your best!