2026 Mr. Olympia: Experts and Fitness Volt Split on Runner-Up Pick

Fitness Volt has compiled and analyzed 13 ranked predictions for the Men's Open category at the 2026 Mr. Olympia, published by bodybuilding figures since April. The event takes place September 24-27 in Las Vegas, featuring 322 athletes across 12 divisions. Six division titles will be decided on Friday night, while the Sandow trophy for Mr. Olympia itself will be awarded last, on Saturday.

Among the 13 experts, Derek Lunsford received the most first-place votes, six of thirteen, and is considered the overall favorite after an unbeaten 2025 season that included the Arnold Classic, the Pittsburgh Pro and the Olympia title. Samson Dauda, the 2024 champion, is seen as the safest bet for a podium finish, appearing in the top three on 12 of the 13 lists; only Branch Warren left him out of his top four.

Fitness Volt's own ranking agrees with the experts on Lunsford as the winner but departs on second place, favoring Andrew Jacked — unbeaten since last year's Olympia — over Dauda. Predictions for the third Men's Open podium spot vary widely; no consensus exists on Jacked, with two experts picking him to win and five placing him fourth.

Nick Walker, sixth-place finisher last year, and Martin Fitzwater are also mentioned across expert picks, with two experts predicting Walker as the winner. Hadi Choopan, runner-up for three consecutive years, withdrew from competition in August, opening a spot in the final callout.

Besides the Men's Open, the Mr. Olympia weekend includes 11 other divisions — 212 Olympia, Classic Physique, Men's Physique, Women's Bodybuilding, Figure, Women's Physique, Wellness, Wheelchair, Fit Model, Fitness and Bikini Olympia — with champions crowned across Friday and Saturday sessions before the main Mr. Olympia title is awarded Saturday night.