Athletes can compete in 2 classes, so for Males it can be Bodybuilding and Men’s Physique (you cannot compete in 2 bodybuilding classes) Females can compete in both the Trained Figure and Bikini.

You will have to purchase a separate entry for each class (Please check the guidelines for the classes you are entering)

The NBFI operates in accordance with the WADA list of prohibited substances and methods.  The current list can always be found at

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/content/what-is-prohibited

All NBFI promoted events are drug tested by one or more methods including urinalysis, blood sampling and approved Lie Detection Technology (with the NBFI reserving the right to test by any other additional legitimate means of testing available without prior notice) either at a NBFI sanctioned event (all of which will feature drug testing by at least one of the aforementioned methods) or “out of competition” at any place they may be for the duration of their membership and for a period of 2 years after their most recent membership has expired.  If selected for a test, an athlete has no right of refusal.  Athletes aged under the age of 18 or with limited ability to consent will not be tested without the consent and presence of a parent/guardian/appropriate adult of their choosing and the approval of the testing official.

To be eligible to hold NBFI membership and compete in our events, you must be free from the use of all steroids, growth hormones and peptides (categories S0, S1.1 and S2) for a minimum of seven years prior to your first competition with the association, all “over the counter” anabolic agents and hormone/metabolic modulators (categories S1.2 & S4) for a minimum of three years prior to your first competition with the association and stimulants, diuretics and beta 2 agonists (categories S3, S5 & S6) for a minimum of 6 months prior to your first competition with the association.  Narcotics, cannabinoids and glucocorticoids (categories S7, S8 and S9) are banned “in competition” and athletes are required not to have these substances in their system when competing.

Muscle implants are forbidden, as are blood, gene and cell doping/manipulation and the tampering of samples collected for analysis (prohibited methods M1, M2 & M3).

Any athlete prescribed a substance which appears on the prohibited list by a licensed medical professional for a genuine diagnosed medical condition which cannot reasonably be treated without the use of that substance can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).  Please contact the association directly and the antidoping officer will assess your case and take you through this process if you are eligible.

All NBFI members MUST ensure they are eligible for membership BEFORE they apply by checking and substances they have ingested against the WADA prohibited list in its current form as shown on the WADA website https://www.wada-ama.org/en/content/what-is-prohibited and are responsible throughout their membership for ensuring they adhere to the guidelines laid out in the rules of the association and the prohibited list and alter the use of any substances which may subsequently be added to the list.

Any drug test failures will result in disqualification from all events that the failed athlete has competed in during that season and a subsequent ban from NBFI/INBA/PNBA membership from any period between one year and life (depending on the substance detected)

The NBFI and its officials CANNOT endorse ANY supplement or product for being “safe” to use in competition unless its manufacturing process has been guaranteed to the association.  It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that no ingredients of any product used appear on the banned list, and for the manufacturer to confirm that the product contains nothing but the listed ingredients.  If in doubt, don’t use it.

The database at https://globaldro.com/Home is a useful resource to check medications and single ingredients to see if they feature on the prohibited list, but will NOT list most sports supplements as they contain multiple ingredients and often “proprietary blends” that do not indicate their ingredient makeup.  If a product that you search for on the database is not found, please do not assume that it is permitted for use.

To be eligible to hold NBFI membership and compete in our events, you must be free from the use of all steroids, growth hormones and peptides (categories S0, S1.1 and S2) for a minimum of seven years prior to your first competition with the association, all “over the counter” anabolic agents and hormone/metabolic modulators (categories S1.2 & S4) for a minimum of three years prior to your first competition with the association and stimulants, diuretics and beta 2 agonists (categories S3, S5 & S6) for a minimum of 6 months prior to your first competition with the association.  Narcotics, cannabinoids and glucocorticoids (categories S7, S8 and S9) are banned “in competition” and athletes are required not to have these substances in their system when competing.

All athletes, with no exception, MUST purchase membership.

The minimum age to compete is 16 years old.

The age limit to compete in Junior Bodybuilding is 23 & under. For clarification this limit is 23 years & 364 days.

The age limit to compete in Teenage Bodybuilding is 19 & under. For clarification this limit is 19 years & 364 days.

Music will ONLY be accepted on an MP3 file. It must be emailed to info@nbfi.ie clearly stating you name, class and whether you want the music to be played at the side of the stage (before you come onto the stage) or center stage (when you are standing center stage). Please note No music is required if you’re competing in the following classes Men’s Physique, Bikini or Trained Figure.

All competitors must have a valid passport or driver licence with them on the day.

A NOVICE is defined as an athlete who has never won a contest or been invited to or competed in a National Final in any previous season, or an athlete who has never placed in the top 3 in an open division in any season. Athletes that have won a national title or competed internationally as a teen or junior are not eligible to compete as Novices.  Any exceptions to this ruling will be assessed individually.

We test all class winners and will also carry out random testing during the day of the competition. We also do random off-season testing. Failure to take the test will results in automatic an life time ban.

We test all class winners and will also carry out random tests during the day of the competition. We also do random off-season testing. Failure to take the test will results in an automatic life time ban.

Yes you can. Physical cards are not issued by the NBFI. We have a database of members that we check on show-day at Athlete’s registration.

We will endeavour to send you a confirmed email in 24-48 hours. If you haven’t received confirmation within this time frame, then please send an email to info@nbfi.ie

We will have an official tanner at the venue, however, please note the NBFI are not responsible for the Tanning so please do not email us looking for information. Please direct all enquiries to the official tanner.

Instant tans are not allowed in the NBFI e.g Dream tan & Panatta etc.We have banned instant tans as they do not dry and rub off easily damaging the venue.

ONLY competitors and NBFI personnel are allowed back stage at any time. If we see any family members, friends or coaches back stage with you we will have no other option but to DISQUALIFY you. This will be STRICTLY enforced.

Over the last few seasons a trend has emerged for athletes to approach members of the judging panel to ask for “feedback”, often as if they have just been pre-programmed to do so and not even knowing what they are asking for.  This section will lay out the basics of the judging process, the role of the judges and guidelines on how to obtain the information you require.

A panel of 5 scoring judges sits for each division of the contest.  Each judge will rank the top 6 in any qualifier class (top 7 at the finals) in the order in which they feel they should place, based on how they compare to others in the line-up and taking into account the discipline in which they are competing in (e.g. Just because a Men’s Physique competitor is the biggest or most conditioned in his class, it does not necessarily make them the best according to the criteria of that class as laid out in the section below).  Judging is subjective and it is not uncommon for individual judges on a panel to choose a different ranking order to others.

Once a judge has completed their selection, their job is over and they move on to the next class.  They are under no obligation to perform a detailed assessment of individual physiques or to clearly remember every athlete who has stepped onstage.  NBFI contests have up to 10 different divisions and can feature up to 100 athletes, taking up to 9 hours to judge.  It is unreasonable to expect any judge to do anything other than focus on the job at hand and as of the 2020 season it is requested that judges are not approached during contests for “feedback”, and all NBFI judges will have it made known to them that they are under no obligation to provide “feedback” to any competitor.

Should a judge choose of their own free will to satisfy your request, please bear in mind that that judges opinion counts for 20% of your final score, assuming they even scored your division.

Self-assessment is almost always possible.  Obtain the official contest pictures, study them and usually your own questions will be answered.

If you require a physique assessment, please approach an experienced professional with your photos to obtain one.  Be careful however when selecting a coach and make sure to choose one with a sufficient background in the sport.  Avoid inexperienced and uneducated coaches who will tell you whatever you want to hear just to secure your business.

If however you wish to challenge a judging decision which you are not happy with, please email info@nbfi.ie within 14 days of the date of the contest you competed in, clearly laying out the basis of your grievance.  You will be provided with the scores given to you by each judge on the panel and a summary of the rationale for your placing by one of the head judges for the event.  Judging decisions will not be changed or overturned once rendered however, except in the case of a subsequent disqualification.

To be selected to represent NBFI overseas you will typically need be a high standard athlete and be competitive on the international stage, winning your class does not automatically qualify you.

Take a look on-line where there are literally hours of video footage & hundreds of images from previous shows. We can guide & suggest what we feel is best, however the responsibility to register & follow the criteria lies with the athlete alone.

Broadly speaking, no. We are prepared to carry your membership or entry fee over to another future event if circumstances warrant it. Obviously, we will take individual circumstances into account.

No. You must pre-register on-line at www.nbfi.ie

We will never give a guarantee of ticket availability, our suggestion is that you ALWAYS buy in advance from the venue.