The 2020 pro bodybuilding schedule is being changed again. This time, it isn’t a date that will be different. It’s a location. This year’s New York Pro will be moved from New Jersey area to the Tampa Marriott in Tampa, Florida. The announcement was made officially on the IFBB Pro League Instagram account as well as the Bev Francis Gym Instagram account. Contest promoter Steve Weinberger is also the head judge for the IFBB Pro League as well as a co-owner of the “East Coast Mecca” gym in Syosset, New York.
“The 2020 IFBB New York Pro will now take place in Tampa, Florida on the same date, Saturday, September 5. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions in New York and New Jersey, promoter Steve Weinberger in conjunction with the IFBB Professional League, felt this contest was TOO IMPORTANT not to happen! Many options were explored to keep this contest in the Northeast but it just was not feasible.”
The announcement can be seen in its entirety in the Instagram post above.
The show was originally supposed to be held in May but was postponed due to the initial reaction of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then rescheduled for September 5th and moved from New York City to New Jersey. Both New York and New Jersey are among a handful of states that have not allowed health clubs and gyms to be reopened.
Therefore, it was deemed unlikely that bodybuilding and fitness shows would be allowed to take place. Officials with the show and Pro League felt that things wouldn’t change in time for the show to be organized and ran as it would be under normal circumstances.
This news comes off the heels of the 2020 Tampa Pro which was held this past weekend. This is the second show that will be held in the Tampa area this year. Normally cities that host shows get only one pro contest per year.
The New York Pro was originally known as the Night of Champions. It’s considered by many in the sport to be the third biggest contest of the year, behind the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic. Past champions of the show include Kai Greene, Dexter Jackson, Sergio Oliva Jr., and Juan Morel.
There will be eight pro contests held at this show. They are Men’s Open, 212, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Figure, Women’s Physique, and Women’s Open Bodybuilding.
Featured Image: Instagram/ifbb_pro_league
