Dennis James was joined by common brothers in iron, Milos “The Thoughts” Sarcev and Chris Cormier on Episode 233 of The Menace Podcast, they usually mentioned the breaking information that the winner within the open division on the 2026 Arnold Classic will take home $750,000.
The first official Arnold Classic made its debut in 1989 and was won by Rich Gaspari, who took residence $55,000 for his efforts. That very same 12 months, the already hotly established Olympia contest awarded $170,000 to winner Lee Haney. However that hole has been getting as slim as among the waists on stage. The highest prize for Mr Olympia in 2024 was $600,000, that means that except the purse is elevated, The 750K Arnold test is now the richest prize.
It’s a “pissing contest,” remarked Sarcev together with his particular model of honesty. “Look, we have been combating for 100 and $130,000,” laughed host Dennis James. In fact, the business is now buzzing with anticipation over how the Olympia contest will reply. “And now… if it goes as much as one million {dollars}, which means second place can be half one million most likely,” mentioned James, commenting that in case you improve the highest of the size, then it’s a must to improve it somewhat for everybody else. “However what I see taking place right here is The Arnold is attempting to compete with the Olympia relating to prize cash as essentially the most prestigious present,” added James. “We all know the Olympia is essentially the most prestigious present, as a result of the Olympia was all these years, sixty years.”
James speculated that the late Joe Weider could, at one time, have had a take care of Arnold Schwarzenegger to ensure that the bodybuilder-turned-actor didn’t compete with the Olympia prize cash. However that deal appeared to have been thrown out of the window when Arnold hit the $500,000 threshold. Final 12 months nevertheless, the battle of the financial institution was nonetheless gained by the Olympia, as the highest prize was elevated to $600,000.
What does the $750,000 prize cash for the 2026 Arnold imply for bodybuilding?
“So, now Arnold goes in and says it’s 750k,” defined James. “What does that imply? Is prestigious [meaning] the one which pays essentially the most? Or is essentially the most prestigious present, will it at all times be the Olympia as a result of ‘it’s the Olympia.’”
Sarcev answered that folks are likely to go wherever the cash is, so perceptions can change over time. “It’s thrilling instances to be a bodybuilder,” he famous. “Dennis, once you and I beginning, if there was prize cash it was similar to somewhat bonus,” mirrored Sarcev. “Chris (Cormier), he was extra constant, you have been at all times within the cash.” Nonetheless, Cormier appeared aghast on the cash some opponents are making as of late, agreeing with “The Thoughts” that Mr Olympia might quickly hit $1,000,0000. The panel famous that whereas the overall prize purse for The Arnold has elevated, simply how this shall be distributed amongst different placings is just not but public info.
In fact, one other testy subject is the distinction between what the boys and the ladies are paid, and it’s a fancy topic that was dropped at the floor in a current publish by feminine Olympia icon, Linda Murray criticizing Arnold for making an announcement that didn’t embody the ladies.
To observe the whole episode, the place the blokes additionally mentioned how aggressive bodybuilders take care of carbs earlier than hitting the stage, and Sarcev’s beef with Giles Thomas over whether or not or not Ugolnikov “Goodvito” Vitalii ought to have competed on the 2025 Pittsburgh Professional, see under:
