Arnold Schwarzenegger leads Arnold Sports Festival with Jon Jones and notable influencers

The Arnold Schwarzenegger–founded Arnold Sports Festival once again proved why it remains one of the most influential events in fitness culture, as thousands packed Columbus, Ohio, earlier this month for a weekend that blended elite competition with high-energy fan experiences. A major focal point of that momentum was YoungLA, whose activation drew massive crowds, alongside appearances by UFC star Jon Jones and other prominent figures in bodybuilding and digital fitness.

Held from March 6–8, the Arnold Classic delivered headline competition results that reinforced its global stature. According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, Andrew Jacked captured the 2026 Men’s Open title and its $750,000 prize, finishing ahead of Nick Walker and Hadi Choopan. Wesley Vissers secured the Classic Physique crown, while strongman standout Mitchell Hooper extended his dominance with a fourth consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic win. The event also recognized Andrew Jacked with Best Poser honors and Nick Walker as Most Muscular, underscoring the depth of competition across divisions.

Beyond the stage, YoungLA emerged as one of the busiest destinations on the expo floor. The Los Angeles-based brand created an interactive space that combined athlete appearances, live workouts, and fan engagement, drawing a steady flow of attendees throughout the weekend. The company, founded by brothers Gurmer and Dashmeet Chopra, has grown rapidly by positioning itself at the intersection of performance apparel and streetwear aesthetics.

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Festival attendees had access to meet-and-greets with athletes and creators, including Jon Jones, bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler, and fitness influencers such as Alex Eubank and Urs Kalecinski. Schwarzenegger himself stopped by the booth, a moment that quickly became one of the weekend's most talked-about highlights as crowds gathered around the seven-time Mr. Olympia champion and event founder.

The activation extended beyond appearances. YoungLA installed a fully equipped training area for lifting challenges and introduced its YoungLA x Gorilla Mind “Young LAtte” beverage collaboration, which drew long lines from attendees. Additional features—including exotic car displays, live DJ sets, and product showcases—helped create a festival-within-a-festival atmosphere.

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First launched in 1989, the Arnold Classic has evolved into a multi-sport festival that now attracts athletes and fans from around the world, blending competition, commerce, and community in a single space.