VMO opens registrations for 2026 Ultimate Media Champion

VMO has opened registrations for the third year of its Ultimate Media Champion competition, a media industry fitness and wellbeing challenge, with sign-ups open from 20 July 2026. 

Paul Butler, Managing Director of VMO, said the response to the competition's first two years had shaped the decision to bring it back.

"The response over the past two years has been incredible, and we're excited about bringing UMC back for a third year. We've seen a huge level of engagement from across the industry, with so many people keen to get involved, participate, and really lean into the experience," Butler said.

How the competition works

From the pool of applicants, 250 participants will be selected to join a six-week training program commencing in August. The program is designed by Fitness First and Goodlife Health Clubs and will be hosted across select club locations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with team training sessions led by the clubs' personal trainers.

Participants will also access online expert-led modules covering mental fitness, facilitated by Gotcha4Life; sleep health, delivered in partnership with MOOD and facilitated by sleep expert Lisa Maltman from The Sleep Connection; and breathwork and nutrition.

The competition will culminate in state-based final events in mid-October, where one male and one female competitor from each of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be crowned 2026 Ultimate Media Champions.

Prizes on offer

All six winners will receive 320,000 WORLD360 Rewards points, a 12-month Platinum gym membership to either Fitness First or Goodlife Health Clubs valued at $1,938, and the 2026 Ultimate Media Champion winner title and belt, valued at $1,100.

Second place will receive a $2,000 G Adventures voucher, and third place will receive a $300 Muscle Nation voucher and a Theragun Relief Massage Gun.

Butler said the initiative reflected VMO's focus on the health and wellness sector through VMO Active.

"The health and well-being of the people within our industry is something that needs to be continually championed. As the leader in the health and wellness media space through VMO Active, we're uniquely positioned to help drive meaningful change. It's a space we're deeply connected to and genuinely passionate about, which is why we're committed to driving initiatives that encourage people to prioritise both their physical and mental well-being," Butler said.

Partnership with Fitness Lifestyle Group

For the third year, VMO has partnered with Fitness Lifestyle Group, the owner of Fitness First and GoodLife Health Clubs, to activate the competition across select flagship clubs that are also VMO Active locations.

Andy Chamoun, Executive General Manager of Fitness Lifestyle Group Australia, said the competition had grown beyond a single event.

"Three years in, the Ultimate Media Challenge has become more than an event - it's a genuine celebration of the energy and camaraderie that defines the media industry. We're proud to once again partner with VMO to bring this to life, and to see our personal trainers and the VMO Active network continue to inspire, connect, and challenge some of the industry's best," Chamoun said.

The competition's supporting partners are Fitness First, Goodlife Health Clubs, WORLD360 Rewards (part of Flight Centre Travel Group), G Adventures, Muscle Nation, UnLtd, Gotcha4Life, MOOD, The Sleep Connection, Quest Nutrition, Hydralyte, 2XU, NIVEA and Elastoplast.

How to enter

Applicants must work in a media agency or trade media in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and be fully available to participate from 24 August to 14 October. Registrations can be made at ultimatemediachampion.com.

Key dates:

• Registration opens: 20 July 2026
• Registration closes: 16 August 2026
• Selected participants notified by: 18 August 2026
• Training period: 24 August 2026 – 4 October 2026
• Final events: 14 October 2026