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 residence $750,000.
The primary official Arnold Traditional made its debut in 1989 and was gained by Wealthy 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, which means that except the purse is elevated, The 750K Arnold examine is now the richest prize.
It’s a “pissing contest,” remarked Sarcev together with his particular model of honesty. “Look, we had 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 1,000,000 {dollars}, which means second place could be half 1,000,000 most likely,” stated James, commenting that if you happen to improve the highest of the size, then you must improve it a little bit for everybody else. “However what I see occurring right here is The Arnold is attempting to compete with the Olympia on the subject of 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 cope with 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 nonetheless, 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 occasions to be a bodybuilder,” he famous. “Dennis, whenever you and I beginning, if there was prize cash it was identical to a little bit 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 opponents are making lately, agreeing with “The Thoughts” that Mr Olympia might quickly hit $1,000,0000. The panel famous that whereas the entire prize purse for The Arnold has elevated, simply how this might be distributed amongst different placings will not be but public info.
In fact, one other testy problem 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 submit by feminine Olympia icon, Linda Murray criticizing Arnold for making an announcement that didn’t embody the women.
To observe 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:
