New IFBB Pro League Classic Physique competitor Sam Sulek will make his pro debut at the 2026 Arnold Classic.
The plan is to go to the Arnold in March.
—Sam Sulek
Sulek, who gained pro status by winning the 2025 Arnold Amateur Classic Physique overall title, shared the news with six-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead during a video announcing Sulek had joined Bumstead as a Gymshark apparel athlete.
Sulek’s announcement of his pro debut can be seen at the 48:48 mark on the YouTube video below. The video includes the Gymshark announcement at the beginning and a back training session with Bumstead and fellow Gymshark athlete David Laid.
Shortly after the announcement, the Arnold Sports Festival shared the news on their social media pages. The 2026 Arnold Classic will return to Columbus, OH on Mar. 5-8, 2026.
Traditionally, the Arnold Classic competitions are invite-only events. One of the benefits of winning the overall Arnold Amateur is an invite to the pro contest the following year. Sulek told Bumstead that the invite was enough reason to commit to a year-long absence from the stage before making his pro debut.
If you have an invite, you may as well do the big one.
There will be extra attention on the 2026 Arnold Classic weekend because of the increased prize money awarded. Aside from the $750,000 that will go to the Men’s Open champion, promoter Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the Classic Physique winner will take home $100,000, the largest prize for a champion in the division’s history. The winner will qualify for the 2026 Classic Physique Olympia.
Gymshark’s announcement garnered significant attention amidst the buzz around Sulek. As the press release noted, the clothing brand reps Sulek, Bumstead, Laid, and YouTube fitness personality Carlos Belcast under the same banner.
“If you were to make a Mount Rushmore of men’s lifting today, it would be Bumstead, Laid, Belcast….Sulek,” said Gymshark Global Head of Influence Clem Tixier.
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Featured Image: @arnoldsports on Instagram
