An athlete must be a citizen to compete in the following national competitions:
COMPETITORS
The Qualification Guidelines are as follows for 2026 NPC UNIVERSE:
TO ENTER OPEN CLASSES: You must have COMPETED IN AND PLACED TOP 5 in an NPC National Level / IFBB Professional League Qualifying Contest such as:
2025 or 2026 NPC Junior USA Championships
2025 or 2026 NPC Junior National Championships
2025 or 2026 Arnold Amateur (USA only)
2025 NPC Universe & NPC National Fitness Championships
2025 NPC North American Championships
2025 NPC USA Championships
2025 NPC National Championships
2025 Olympia Amateur (USA only)
Or
You placed TOP 2 in any 2025 or 2026 NPC National Qualifying Contest Open Class.
TO ENTER MASTERS CLASSES: Competitors must have competed in any NPC competition after January 1, 2025. No specific placing is required for MASTERS, you just have to compete.
An athlete must be a citizen to compete in NPC Universe Championships & NPC National Fitness Championships. Proof of USA citizenship must be one of the following:
· USA Residency (Residency means residing in the USA for 4 months prior to the contest date or must be a full time student in the USA with proof of a College issued student ID)
·A birth certificate
·A voter’s registration card
·Military discharge papers
·Naturalization Papers – Form N560
·Consular Service Form FS24 for those born outside of the United States to United States parents
·A valid United States Green Card
Online registration will close on Monday, June 29 at 11:59pm (est)
Online registration is closed.
You may still register to compete at the
ATHLETE CHECK-IN (see times here).*
*One-time late fee applies.
*2026 NPC membership is required for all competitors before you may register.
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POSING MUSIC
- All competitors in Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Women’s Physique, and Fitness can provide their own posing music for the final posing routines. Any competitor using music containing PROFANITY will be immediately disqualified.
- Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, and Women’s Physique routines are limited to 60 seconds
- Fitness routines are limited to 120 seconds.
- If you still have your email confirmation from when you registered, there is a link there to your athlete profile where you can upload the music. This is available until Monday, June 29.
- If you don’t have access to the email, you can bring the music to the athlete check-in on a USB flash drive or CD. Maximum of 60 seconds and no profanity please.
- The TOP FIVE competitors will perform the individual routine. Placings are announced live during the finals, so you must return and appear on stage.
CHAMPION'S PHOTO SHOOT
- DETAILS COMING SOON
CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Proof of USA citizenship must be one of the following:
- USA Residency (Residency means residing in the USA for 4 months prior to the contest date or must be a full time student in the USA with proof of a College issued student ID)
- A birth certificate
- A voter’s registration card
- Military discharge papers
- Naturalization Papers – Form N560
- Consular Service Form FS24 for those born outside of the United States to United States parents
- A valid United States Green Card
DRUG TESTING (Men's Open Bodybuilding Only)
The NPC UNIVERSE is an NPC NATURAL CONTEST for the Men’s Open Bodybuilding only.* All competitors in Men’s Open Bodybuilding are subject rules and regulations below.
NPC NATURAL SHOW INFORMATION:
1. List of banned substances: Click Here to View Banned Substances PDF (download PDF)
2. All athletes must of been clean of ANY use of all banned items for three years.
3. The list of banned substances can been seen by clicking on the above link, but a rule of thumb is all steroids, hormones, diuretics, estrogen blockers, beta 2 antagonist etc.
4. A complete list is available by clicking on the provided link and is recommended that you do so.
5. All open class winners will be urinalysis tested back stage by a qualified nurse / doctor and all samples will be sent out for testing right after awards. Athletes who fail the urinalysis test will be stripped from their placing and national qualification for one year with the NPC.
6. A random test can be ordered by the HEAD judge if he/she feels one is needed on any competitor during the event only!
Only the Men’s Open Bodybuilders are subject to the rules above. This does not apply to any master’s classes, nor does it apply to any other divisions.
