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Separate World Championships are organised for men, women children, juniors and masters on an annual basis in different locations. 

Events are open to IFBB-affiliated national federations and participation of athletes is limited to A and B teams, which are selected following qualifying competitions in each country. 

These Championships provide the most number of points towards the IFBB Elite World Rankings. 

The places and dates of the 2020 IFBB World Championships are:

World Children's Championships - Cacak, Serbia, June 19 to 21

World Fitness Championships - TBD, October 16 to 18

World Junior Championships - Targu Mures, Romania, October 23 to 26

World Fit Model Championships - Latvia, Riga, October 30 to November 1

World Men’s Championships - Xi’An, China, November 4 to 9

World Masters Championships - Antalya, Turkey, December 4 to 6

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In 2012, the muscular and men's physique division was officially launched as a new IFBB sport discipline.

It has proved to be a very popular category so the IFBB has increased the number of men’s physique categories from two to six: 170 centimetres, 173cm, 176cm, 179cm, 182cm and over 182cm. 

They perform two rounds of quarter-turns, wearing board shorts of their choice. 

The second and final round begins with a short individual on-stage presentation of each competitor.

Judges assess the shape and symmetry of the athletes, as well as their muscles and overall condition. 

Competitors' stage presence and personality are also part of the judges’ verdict.

View Muscular and Men's Physique Rankings

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This category was introduced in 2011.

Overall body lines, balance and proportions, as well as body tone and healthy appearance are taken into consideration. 

The emphasis is on a well-shaped, fit, healthy and attractive appearance, similar to that of models.

Judges look for a well-shaped, fit, healthy and attractive appearance during two rounds, where athletes wear a two-piece bikini and high heels.

Quarter-turns are performed in each round, with a presentation also giving athletes the chance to display their body while moving.

Hard, lean muscles are not considered necessary in the category, which is designed for women who aim to keep their body in shape and eat healthily.

View Bikini Fitness Rankings

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This concept was introduced by the IFBB in the early 1990s, starting as an official competition in 1996 in response to the increasing demand for events for women who prefer to develop a less muscular, yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique. It was also designed to show their physiques in motion. 

In women's body fitness, the emphasis is placed on a shapely, athletic-looking physique, assessed by comparisons of four quarter-turns and athletic ability during a very attractive and dynamic fitness style routine.

Athletes have the possibility to show their figure in a short individual presentation. Two rounds of quarter-turns in the bikini-style costume of their own choice and classic stiletto pump of any colour are assessed. The top six competitors then perform individual presentations, before conducting quarter-turns as a group.

Overall athletic appearance is judged, with focus on muscle tone and shape, and having a small amount of body fat. Hair, make-up and individual style of presentation are also central to the event.

View Women's Body-Fitness Rankings

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Classic bodybuilding is a version of the sport based on the classic physique concept.

To create equal chances, the competitors' bodyweight is limited according to their body height, following a special IFBB formula for each body height category.

Since muscle mass is limited, special attention is paid to the overall view of the physique, body proportions and lines, muscle shape and condition, including density, body fat level, definition and details.

These values are assessed by the judges during rounds one and three. In round two, like in bodybuilding, free posing routines are performed to music of the athletes' choice.

There are two assessments rounds, with the same rules as in bodybuilding.

View Men's Classic Bodybuilding Rankings

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Athletes train to develop all parts of their body and muscles to maximum size but in balance and harmony. 

There should be no "weak points" or underdeveloped muscles. Moreover, they should follow a special pre-competition training system, to decrease the body fat level to as low as possible and remove the under skin water to show the quality of muscles: density, separation and definition. 

The competitor who displays more muscle details scores the highest. The other matter to be assessed is the general view of the physique, which should be proportionally built. Broad shoulders and narrow waist, as well as adequately long legs and shorter upper body, are what the judges are looking for. 

These qualities are displayed during two physique assessment rounds when competitors do seven mandatory poses during comparisons of three to eight athletes chosen by the judges.

There are three rounds, including one offering athletes the opportunity to show their physique during 60-second free posing to music. Judges will assess each round, giving athletes individual places.

View Men's Bodybuilding Rankings

Elite World Ranking Disciplines

Other Disciplines

Click to see 2020 Elite World RankingsClick to see 2019 Elite World RankingsClick to see 2018 Elite World RankingsClick to see 2017 Elite World Rankings

The IFBB Elite World Rankings feature competitors who compete in women's bikini fitness, women's body-fitness, muscular and men's physique, men's classic bodybuilding and men's bodybuilding. 

Ranking points are awarded at key events in the IFBB calendar, including the World Championships.

Continental Championships and Elite Invitational Qualifiers also offer opportunities for athletes to earn points.

The top 10 athletes at the World Championships are granted ranking points, while the best six at continental level and the highest five placed finishers at the qualifiers are rewarded. 

Ranking points are accumulated by athletes, with the top 10 rewarded with cash prizes at the conclusion of the season.

The winner of each category will receive a cash prize. 

The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) is a not-for-profit international amateur sport governing body, founded in 1946. 

Brothers Ben and Joe Weider were the founding fathers of the IFBB in Montreal, with the former becoming the first President of the organisation.

The IFBB now has over 199 affiliated nations and since 2006 has been led by Spain’s Dr. Rafael Santonja.

Santonja is currently serving his fourth term as President, having been re-elected at the IFBB Congress in 2010, 2014 and 2018. 

Under his leadership, the IFBB is striving to be one of the most active Federations in the world.

The IFBB holds competition at its World Championships for junior, senior and masters athletes in a variety of categories.

This includes men’s bodybuilding and classic bodybuilding, men’s and women’s physique and fitness, and women’s body fitness, bikini fitness and athletic fitness.

During the IFBB's 73-year history, it has participated in several regional Games. 

This includes the Panamerican Games, the Asian Beach Games, the South American Games, the Central American Games, the Arab Games, and the Bolivarian Games.

More than 2,000 local, national, regional, continental and World Championships are organised by the IFBB each year, while over 100 million people are regularly thought to train in gyms and fitness centres across each of the continents.

The IFBB became a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations in 1969. 

It is also a member of the Olympic Council of Asia, Panam Sports, Association of African Sports Confederations, the International World Games Association and several other international and regional sport bodies.

The IFBB is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency Code and actively discourages the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

It strongly believes in sport as an universal language for health and education, and also sees it as a great tool to integrate people, without any kind of discrimination, in the best spirit of understanding and respect, and in fairness and solidarity.

Please select an event for more information

Olympia Amateur

Ben Weider Legacy Cup

Arnold Classic

IFBB Diamond Cup

Regional and Continental Games

IFBB World Championships

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