Section 3: Playing Area
The 2026 Men's Bodybuilding rules do not specify stage dimensions. They describe how competitors are positioned on the stage:
- Line-up (Articles 5.2 and 8.1): competitors are brought onstage in numerical order in a single line, or two lines if necessary.
- Comparison layout: the line-up is divided into two equal-size groups, one to the left and one to the right of the stage. The center of the stage is left open for comparisons.
- Center-stage (Articles 5.2 and 8.1): groups are directed to the center-stage area to perform poses. All comparisons are carried out center-stage (Article 8.1.4).
- Backstage (Article 5.1): a warm-up area where competitors must be at least 45 minutes before the start of judging of their category.