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 Basic will take residence $750,000.
The primary official Arnold Basic made its debut in 1989 and was gained by Wealthy Gaspariwho took residence $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 among 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 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,” stated James, commenting that for those who enhance the highest of the size, then you need to enhance it slightly for everybody else. “However what I see occurring right here is The Arnold is making an attempt to compete with the Olympia in relation 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 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 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 (that means) 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 individuals 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, 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 opponents are making nowadays, agreeing with “The Thoughts” that Mr Olympia may quickly hit $1,000,0000. The panel famous that whereas the entire prize purse for The Arnold has elevated, simply how this will probably be distributed amongst different placings isn’t but public info.
After all, one other testy concern is the distinction between what the lads and the ladies are paid, and it’s a posh topic that was delivered to the floor in a latest put up by feminine Olympia icon, Linda Murray criticizing Arnold for making an announcement that didn’t embody the women.
To observe the whole 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:
