Dennis James was joined by common brothers in iron, Milos “The Thoughts” Sarcev and Chris Cormier on Episode 233 of The Menace Podcast, and so they mentioned the breaking information that the winner within the open division on the 2026 Arnold Traditional will take house $750,000.
The primary official Arnold Traditional made its debut in 1989 and was gained by Wealthy Gaspari, who took house $55,000 for his efforts. That very same yr, the already hotly established Olympia contest awarded $170,000 to winner Lee Haney. However that hole has been getting as slim as a number of the waists on stage. The highest prize for Mr Olympia in 2024 was $600,000, that means that until the purse is elevated, The 750K Arnold test 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 one million {dollars}, meaning second place could be half one million most likely,” stated James, commenting that in the event you enhance the highest of the size, then you need to enhance it just a little for everybody else. “However what I see occurring right here is The Arnold is attempting to compete with the Olympia with regards to 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 might, 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 yr 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 probably the most? Or is probably the most prestigious present, will it all the time be the Olympia as a result of ‘it’s the Olympia.’”
Sarcev answered that individuals are inclined to go wherever the cash is, so perceptions can change over time. “It’s thrilling instances to be a bodybuilder,” he famous. “Dennis, if you and I beginning, if there was prize cash it was identical to just a little bonus,” mirrored Sarcev. “Chris (Cormier), he was extra constant, you had been all the time within the cash.” Nonetheless, Cormier appeared aghast on the cash some opponents are making lately, agreeing with “The Thoughts” that Mr Olympia may quickly hit $1,000,0000. The panel famous that whereas the whole prize purse for The Arnold has elevated, simply how this will probably be distributed amongst different placings just isn’t but public info.
After all, one other testy situation is the distinction between what the lads and the ladies are paid, and it’s a fancy topic that was delivered to the floor in a latest publish by feminine Olympia icon, Linda Murray criticizing Arnold for making an announcement that didn’t embrace the ladies.
To observe the entire episode, the place the fellows 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 beneath:
