IFBB Professional League
L-R: Joe Weider, Jim Manion, Ben Weider
The IFBB Professional League is the premiere Bodybuilding, Fitness, Physique and Wellness sport organization in the world. The IFBB Pro League is home to the iconic Joe Weider “OLYMPIA”, known worldwide as “The Greatest Physique Show on Earth”.
1946
The International Federation of Body Builders was founded in 1946 in Montreal, Canada by “Brothers of Iron” Joe and Ben Weider. Canada and the USA were the first two affiliated countries.
1965
The International Federation of Body Builders held its first professional contest, the “MR. OLYMPIA”, on September 18, 1965 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City.
2005
On November 27, 2005, Joe and Ben Weider officially announced the creation of the “IFBB Professional League”; separate and distinct from the International Federation of Body Builders. Joe and Ben selected Jim Manion, president of the National Physique Committee of the USA (“NPC”), to head the IFBB Pro League.
2017
On November 25, 2017, Jim Manion officially announced the creation of “NPC Worldwide”, the international amateur arm of the NPC. NPC and NPC Worldwide “Pro Qualifier” contests are the only path to an IFBB PRO card and the opportunity to compete in the sport’s #1 organization, with the sport’s best athletes at the sport’s best contests.
2019
On May 16, 2019, Tyler Manion was named Vice President of the NPC, NPC Worldwide and the IFBB Professional League.
2024
In 2005, the International Federation of Body Builders had 4 pro divisions and held 15 pro contests. In 2024, the IFBB Professional League has 11 pro divisions and currently lists 165 pro contests.
NPC Worldwide held its first contest in November 2017. In 2024, NPC Worldwide currently holds 509 amateur contests, including 94 Pro Qualifiers (with 11 Amateur Olympia contests) and 415 Regionals. The IFBB Pro League and NPC Worldwide hold contests in 74 countries.
