Mar 14–16, 2026 · Forge Iron Athletics · Chicago, IL
FORGE
IRONOPEN
Olympic lifting. Powerlifting. Strongman. Three platforms, one weekend. The chalk hits the air and the crowd presses forward.
340+
Registered Athletes
3
Competition Platforms
$42K
Prize Pool
18
Weight Classes
Mar 14–16, 2026
THE
LINEUP
Six events across three days. Competition, community, and everything in between.
Mar 14 · 08:00 AM
Olympic Lifting Open
Snatch & Clean & Jerk — All weight classes competing simultaneously on Platform 1
Mar 15 · 09:00 AM
Powerlifting Meet
Squat, Bench, Deadlift — Sanctioned by USAPL. Attempt cards due 24 hours prior.
Mar 15 · 06:00 AM
Strongman Saturday
Atlas Stones · Log Press · Farmer's Carry. The yard opens at 6 AM.
Mar 14–16 · All Day
Open Platform Sessions
No meet? No problem. Lift alongside the competitors all weekend.
Mar 14 · 02:00 PM
Youth Development Clinic
Ages 12–17. Olympic lifting fundamentals with national-level coaches.
Mar 15 · 08:00 PM
After-Iron Gathering
Saturday night. The platform closes and the bar opens. Athletes + crew only.
Who Competes Here
YOUR
DIVISION
Olympic Lifting
Snatch. Clean & Jerk. Two lifts, nine attempts, the highest total wins. IWF weight classes. Qualifying totals required for nationals.
124
Lifters Registered
180kg+
Qualifying Total
Classes: 55 · 61 · 67 · 73 · 81 · 89 · 96 · 102 · 109 · 109+
Powerlifting
Squat, Bench, Deadlift. USAPL sanctioned. Raw and equipped flights. Attempt cards due by weigh-in.
97
Lifters Registered
420kg
Avg Opening Total
Classes: 52 · 60 · 67.5 · 75 · 82.5 · 90 · 100 · 110 · 125 · 125+
Strongman
Log press, farmer's carry, atlas stones, yoke walk. Five events across Saturday morning. The yard is open at 6 AM.
48
Competitors
up to 180kg
Stone Weight
Classes: LW · MW · HW · SHW
Spectator Pass
All three days. All three platforms. Unlimited access to the floor, the warm-up room, and the after-party.
620
Passes Sold
34
VIP Spots Left
Classes: General · VIP Pit · Weekend Bundle
From the Platform
THE
ROAR
2,400+
Athletes competed at Forge since 2021
"
Walked in a first-timer, hit a 15kg PR on my total, and cried in the warm-up room. This is the only meet I'll do for the rest of my life.
Marcus Delgado
Powerlifting · 93kg
"
The crowd on Platform 1 during the final session was louder than any sanctioned national I've competed at. Forge brings something different.
Yemi Adeyinka
Olympic Lifting · 81kg
"
Drove 6 hours from Cincinnati. Loaded the atlas stones at 6:30 AM with fog still on the yard. Would do it again tomorrow.
Brianna Kowalski
Strongman · Heavyweight
Mar 14–16, 2026 · Chicago, IL
CLAIM YOUR
PLATFORM
By the time you reach this form, you've already heard the roar. Now get on the platform.
Select Your Division
What's Included
Competition entry + weigh-inWarm-up room access (all weekend)Athlete packet + event shirtAfter-Iron Saturday gatheringResults + livestream archiveCompetition entry + weigh-in
Warm-up room access (all weekend)
Athlete packet + event shirt
After-Iron Saturday gathering
Results + livestream archive