Understanding the Difference Between a Natural Contest AND an Open Contest – Your Path to Olympia
The world of bodybuilding offers a variety of competitive avenues for athletes, each catering to different philosophies and approaches to training, nutrition, and supplementation. If you’re considering stepping onto the NPC Worldwide stage, it’s essential to understand the difference between a Natural Contest and an Open Contest, and more importantly, what each pathway means for your competitive future—including your journey to the prestigious Mr. Olympia stage.
What is a Natural Contest?
A Natural Contest is exclusively for drug-free athletes who commit to competing without the use of banned substances. These competitions are structured to provide a level playing field for competitors who prioritize training and nutrition without performance-enhancing substances. To ensure fairness, natural competitions often involve drug testing protocols to maintain integrity within the sport.
NPC Worldwide has introduced the Natural Series, a dedicated platform that allows natural athletes to showcase their dedication and hard work in an environment that values authenticity.
What is an Open Contest?
An Open Contest, on the other hand, is available to all athletes, regardless of their supplementation choices. These competitions do not require drug testing, which allows for a broader range of competitors and a highly competitive environment. Open contests have long been the primary route for athletes aiming to earn their IFBB Pro Card and advance to the Mr. Olympia stage.
The Path to Olympia – Natural vs. Open
Both Natural and Open competitions provide pathways to the ultimate goal in bodybuilding: the Mr. Olympia stage. However, the journey differs depending on which route you choose.
Natural Athletes’ Path to Olympia:
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Natural Regional Qualifier – Athletes begin their journey at events like the NPC Worldwide G’s Posedown Natural Regional Qualifiers.
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Natural Pro Qualifier – Top competitors advance to the Natural Pro Qualifier, where they can earn their IFBB Natural Pro Card.
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Natural Pro Show – As an IFBB Natural Pro, athletes must win a Natural Pro Show to qualify for the Ben Weider Natural Pro (Canada).
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Ben Weider Natural Pro (Canada) – This is a key competition where winners of each division, except Bodybuilding, will earn qualification to the 2026 Mr. Olympia.
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Mr. Olympia – Open Division – Winners from the Ben Weider Natural Pro 2025 (Canada) in all divisions except Bodybuilding will qualify for Mr. Olympia in their respective division.
Open Athletes’ Path to Olympia:
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Open Regional Qualifier – Athletes start by competing in NPC Open Regional Contests.
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Open Pro Qualifier – Mere participation in an Open Regional event qualifies competitors for the NPC African Open Pro Qualifier and other similar events.
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Earning an IFBB Pro Card – Winning an Open Pro Qualifier grants competitors the status of an IFBB Pro.
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Competing in IFBB Pro League Shows – As an IFBB Pro, athletes compete in Open Pro Shows, and winning an Open Pro Show qualifies them for Olympia.
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**Mr. Olympia **– The top-performing pros earn invitations to compete in Mr. Olympia, the most prestigious stage in bodybuilding.
Choosing the Right Path for You
Both pathways demand dedication, discipline, and passion. If you are committed to a drug-free journey and want to compete on a level playing field, the Natural Series offers an exciting new opportunity. If you’re looking to enter the broader, long-established professional circuit, the Open Division provides a traditional route to the Olympia stage.
Regardless of your choice, both Natural and Open competitions celebrate hard work, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether you dream of standing on stage at Mr. Olympia, the NPC Worldwide and IFBB Professional League provide the platforms to help you achieve greatness.
Are you ready to take your first step? Explore upcoming competitions and start your journey today!
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