He's Baaaaaackkk! The 2017 ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL Returns to Columbus, March 2-5; New Events Include Arnold Transformation Challenge, Lacrosse, Yoga and More!

The 2017 Arnold Sports Festival and the world-renowned Arnold Classic bodybuilding championships will celebrate its 29th Anniversary in 2017 when the four-day health and fitness celebration presents more than 70 sports and events March 2-5, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Arnold Sports Festival will attract an estimated 200,000 sports and fitness fans to watch 18,000 athletes compete in 70 sports and events, including 16 Olympic events, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus, the Ohio Expo Center and other venues throughout Central Ohio.

The Arnold Classic and related IFBB Pro League events and the Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding Championships will be held in the Battelle Grand and on the Arnold Fitness EXPO Stage at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. An expanded Arnold SportsWorld EXPO For Kids & Teens will be held March 4-5 at the Ohio Expo Center. Archery, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Table Tennis, XPC Powerlifting, POWER X and Equestrian are among events at the Ohio Expo Center.

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 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 Arnold Fitness EXPO, March 3-5 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, features more than 1,000 booths of the latest in sports equipment, apparel and nutrition and two stages that host competitions and entertainment.

New in 2017 are the Arnold Transformation Challenge, Lacrosse, Yoga, Paraplegic Powerlifting and Pro Strongwoman.

The 16 Olympic sports in which youth compete and Olympians or Olympic hopefuls appear include archery, boxing, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate, rowing, a 5K run, soccer, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon and weightlifting.

Optimum Nutrition is the presenting sponsor of the 2017 Arnold Sports Festival.

Dates: March 2-5, 2017

Locations: Most events are held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (400 N. High St.), the Ohio Expo Center (717 E. 17th Ave.) and EXPRESS LIVE! Pavilion (405 Neil Ave.). Visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for a complete schedule.

Hours: Thursday 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Arnold Fitness EXPO hours: Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday 10a.m.-4 p.m.
Arnold SportsWorld Kids & Teens EXPO hours: Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: A daily EXPO ticket ($15 each in advance or $20 at door; children 14 and under are admitted FREE) includes admission to most events, the Arnold Fitness EXPO and the Arnold SportsWorld EXPO For Kids & Teens.

Professional and amateur bodybuilding events; Arnold Sunday Showcase at the Hilton Columbus; Amateur MMA Festival and Arnold Pro Boxing at EXPRESS LIVE!; and the Arnold Party With The Pros at the Greater Columbus Convention Center 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.

Don't Miss a Columbus News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...