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 house $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, which means that except the purse is elevated, The 750K Arnold verify is now the richest prize.
It’s a “pissing contest,” remarked Sarcev along with his particular model of honesty. “Look, we had been combating for 100 and $130,000,” laughed host Dennis James. After all, the trade is now buzzing with anticipation over how the Olympia contest will reply. “And now… if it goes as much as 1,000,000 {dollars}, meaning second place could be half 1,000,000 in all probability,” mentioned James, commenting that in the event you improve the highest of the size, then it’s a must to improve it slightly for everybody else. “However what I see taking place right here is The Arnold is making an attempt to compete with the Olympia on the subject of prize cash as probably the most prestigious present,” added James. “We all know the Olympia is probably 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 cope with Arnold Schwarzenegger to guarantee 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 received 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 probably the most? Or is probably 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 inclined to go wherever the cash is, so perceptions can change over time. “It’s thrilling occasions to be a bodybuilder,” he famous. “Dennis, once you and I beginning, if there was prize cash it was similar to slightly bonus,” mirrored Sarcev. “Chris (Cormier), he was extra constant, you had been at all times within the cash.” Nonetheless, Cormier appeared aghast on the cash some rivals are making lately, agreeing with “The Thoughts” that Mr Olympia may 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 shouldn’t be but public info.
After all, one other testy problem 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 submit by feminine Olympia icon, Linda Murray criticizing Arnold for making an announcement that didn’t embody the women.
To look at the entire episode, the place the blokes additionally mentioned how aggressive bodybuilders cope with 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 beneath:
