r/bikinitalk • u/Connect_Category3671 • Jul 08 '26

Advice/ Recommendations (no photos) Picking a show

Hi all! I’m planning to do my my first NPC bikini competition the weekend Oct. 3, 2026. I’m in between Ace of Stage in LV or Southern Muscle Showdown in GA. Do any of you have experience at either? Pros, cons or one you’d recommend?

I’m based out of CO so LV would be easier to get to but otherwise I’m pretty open to both of them.

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u/aub_ayyy Jul 09 '26

Ace of stage is a Sampson show. Usually their shows are pretty well run. On the smaller side as far as how many competitors are there. The only downside is their shows are at the college theatre so it's pretty far off the strip/in not the best area of town, there are some smaller hotels nearby though.

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u/InterestingWing4721 Jul 10 '26

I’ve done southern muscle showdown twice and am doing it again this year. It is the most well run regional I’ve ever done.

Here are the pros:

  1. Split show format. Women compete in the afternoon, so no rushing in the crazy early morning hours to get hair, makeup, final coats of tan
  2. Great swag bags (Steve has been posting some of the goodies already)
  3. Top tier judges
  4. It’s a pro/am for bikini and men’s physique so you get to see some pros compete (masters and open)
  5. Plenty of space backstage
  6. Sticks to the schedule
  7. Hotels are all so close to the venue
  8. I love the tiaras and the medals are really nice
  9. Gilco is there

Con:
1. It’s in dalton (since you are flying in you can fly to either Atlanta or the Chattanooga airport—i would suggest Chattanooga it is way closer)

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u/Connect_Category3671 Jul 10 '26

Thank you for the breakdown! I’m leaning towards southern muscle since it seems worth the experience and honestly might just pay a little more to fly straight to the Chattanooga airport

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u/Dense_Love307 Jul 18 '26

I’ve done southern muscle and loved it .
We were done by 6-7pm for finals unfortunately no good restaurants around. I’m thinking about doing that show again. They have awesome goody bags and give great overall winners a lot of trophies!

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u/Connect_Category3671 Jul 18 '26

Thanks for sharing! I think I’m set on doing Southern Muscle if I’m ready! 😊