COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Arnold Sports Festival and the world-renowned Arnold Classic bodybuilding championships will celebrate its 26th Anniversary in 2014 when the health and fitness celebration grows to a record 50 sports and events.
The 2014 Arnold Sports Festival will be held Feb. 27-March 2 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Arnold Sports Festival will again attract 175,000 sports and fitness fans to watch 18,000 athletes compete in 50 sports and events, including 13 Olympic events.
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 a variety of sports, including 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 700 booths of the latest in sports equipment, apparel and nutrition and two stages that host unique, non-stop competitions and entertainment. The Arnold Fitness EXPO will be held Feb. 28-March 2, 2014 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
New events in 2014 include Tennis and Swimming, Arnold Classic 212 (lighter weight class for professional bodybuilders) and Pole Sport (an elegant display of strength with top competitors holding their bodies completely horizontal with only their arms like a human flag).
Olympic sports in which youth compete and Olympians or Olympic hopefuls appear include archery, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, judo, running, swimming, table tennis, tae kwon do, tennis, track & field, weightlifting and wrestling.
Europa Sports Products is the presenting sponsor of the Arnold Sports Festival.
Dates: Feb. 27-March 2, 2013.
Locations: Most events are held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (400 N. High St.), Veterans Memorial (300 W. Broad St.) and Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (405 Neil Ave.). Visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for specifics.
Hours: Thursday 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
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 ($10 in advance plus service charges, $15 at door) includes admission to most events and the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Professional and amateur bodybuilding events; Arnold Sunday Showcase at the Hilton Columbus; Amateur MMA Festival at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilions; 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.
