The 2026 Arnold Classic stands as one of the two premier bodybuilding events of the season, alongside Mr. Olympia. To mark the 50th anniversary of his role as a promoter, Arnold Schwarzenegger is once again stepping up for the athletes. On March 15th, 2025, he announced on Instagram that the total prize purse for the 2026 Arnold Classic will be increased to $1,500,000, with the Men’s Open winner set to receive a historic $750,000.
Arnold Schwarzenegger reflected on his own bodybuilding days, recalling how the first-place prize used to be just $1,000. Understanding the intense dedication and sacrifice that modern-day athletes put into preparing for the stage, he felt it was time to raise the bar once again. As part of his continued efforts to improve athlete recognition, he confirmed a major increase in the 2026 Arnold Classic prize money.
Arnold’s decision reflects his deep respect for the hard work and dedication bodybuilders put into their craft. By raising the stakes, he aims to further elevate the prestige of the Arnold Classic and reward athletes more fairly for their incredible efforts.
“Now, at the Arnold Classic World Bodybuilding Championships, we are up to $500,000 in cash prize for first prize (place). Altogether, $1,000,000 in cash prizes.
But now, since we have the 50th anniversary coming up (in 2026)… We are going to go and do something very special. We are going to up the cash prize from $500,000 to $750,000, and the total cash prize from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 because I am sick and tired of all of this waiting.”
Check out Arnold Schwarzenegger’s full statement here
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Arnold Schwarzenegger also added that the athletes now have the opportunity to make $1,000,000 through the Arnold Classic competitions, as the European edition also gives away $250,000 to the winner of the show. With this, he is making sure to give the bodybuilders a reason to come into the competitions fully prepared, chasing the lucrative amounts of money while also fulfilling their dreams of claiming prestigious titles.
“I want bodybuilders to train all year long really hard and to be able to make $750,000 for first prize and then go to the Arnold Classic in England, the European Arnold Classic, and make another $250,000; To make $1,000,000.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger recognizes that the Arnold Classic is the biggest fitness festival in the world. So, with the step that he made, he is making sure to stay on top, giving the perfect environment to both the competing athletes and fans of the sport.
“I want the bodybuilders not just to train all year, make the sacrifices, and sweat and pump up, then go to an auditorium that is full of empty seats. I want it to be packed. This is why it is so important for the Arnold Classic to increase the amount of spectators that come… We want to have bodybuilders and spectators go crazy in there and create excitement…
We have the biggest sports and fitness festival in the world. We have tens of thousands of athletes participating in different sports, and we have over 200,000 spectators coming there… We are going to continue pumping it up. Let the others chase us. We are always going to be leaders.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger has increased the prize money for the Arnold Classic a number of times in the past few years and is now continuing to break records. This comes after Arnold increased the prize purse for the Arnold Classic in 2025 from $300,000 to $500,000.
For reference, Mr. Olympia increased the prize purse last year as well, giving $600,000 to the Men’s Open winner. So, the 2026 Arnold Classic is now set to exceed that number, once again inching closer to the one million dollar milestone.
Derek Lunsford recently cashed in big, collecting $500,000 for his victory at the 2025 Arnold Classic. He also took home a $100,000 check after winning this year’s Pittsburgh Pro, officially placing the event in the six-figure tier.
Over at the Olympia, scheduled for October 9–12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, fans are eagerly waiting to see the prize purse announcement. While nothing’s confirmed yet, the champion is expected to receive a similar payout as last year.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Arnold Classic is also making history. The Classic Physique division will see its top finisher walk away with $100,000, the biggest payout ever for the category.
The 2026 Arnold Classic is scheduled to take place on March 2-6 in Columbus, Ohio. So, with the new increase to the prize purse, there is no doubt that those competing in the show will make sure to bring their best shape to the stage. Consequently, the show will likely feature its greatest battles yet. Moreover, the athletes will then have the opportunity to compete at the 2026 Arnold Classic UK on March 27-29 in Birmingham.
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