Breaking: Arnold Schwarzenegger Raises Arnold Classic Prize Money to a Whopping $500,000: “Don’t Feel Obliged to the Rules”

The Arnold Classic wrapped up with some thrilling surprises, crowning Hadi Choopan in the Open Division and Wesley Vissers in Classic Physique as new champions. However, the biggest bombshell came from Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. Closing the event, he declared an astounding increase in next year’s prize money for the Open Division, soaring to a staggering $500,000.

In contrast to this year’s $300,000, Schwarzenegger’s bold move marks a significant leap, signaling a departure from conventional norms. His announcement resonates with a spirit of rebellion, echoing his iconic persona. In his words, “And I just want to say, first of all, I’m very happy that my son is here, Christopher, with me today. My girlfriend is here. Heather Milligan is right down here.”

He continued and stated,  And I have one good news and that is. This year, the winning prize is $300,000 for the winning, but next year. As you know the winning prize for the Olympia is $400,000. And I don’t feel obliged to the rules so we’re going to go up to $500,000 for the winner next year.”  With this audacious move, Schwarzenegger reaffirms his commitment to elevating the sport to new heights, setting the stage for an electrifying future for the Arnold Classic.

The Arnold Sports Festival started in 1989 in Ohio, growing from a one-day event to a four-day global sports extravaganza. During an earlier interview, Arnie had revealed that the Arnold Classic was the first one to offer a $5000 cash prize to the winner. Gradually, every year they steadily kept increasing the prize money. However, things changed when IFBB interfered. Initially, the Arnold Classic’s prize money lagged behind Mr. Olympia’s, limited by a rule.

However, in 2023, as co-founder, Schwarzenegger raised the Arnold Classic prize to $300,000, a 50% increase from the previous year. This trend continued for the second consecutive year, reflecting Schwarzenegger’s longstanding commitment to enhancing rewards for athletes. Samson Dauda, the 2023 champion, celebrated this significant prize hike. Schwarzenegger revealed a secret agreement he had with the IFBB and the founders of Mr. Olympia related to the prize money.

Did Arnold Schwarzenegger shatter the agreement with the Weiders?

On December 19, 2022, Schwarzenegger shed light on the competition’s financial limitations during a podcast with Nick’s Strength and Power. Due to a contractual agreement with the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB), Arnold Classic can’t exceed Mr. Olympia’s cash prize.“Ben Weider, said we have to have an agreement for you to be sanctioned by the IFBB as an official IFBB competition.

Moreover, “I said, ‘What’s the agreement?’ He said, ‘You cannot offer more money than we’re offering for the Olympia.’ So we’ve always held back,” Schwarzenegger revealed.  Schwarzenegger consistently expressed his desire to offer more money but was constrained by agreements with the IFBB and the Weider brothers. Despite this constraint, Arnold Classic innovatively provides additional non-cash rewards to circumvent the cash prize limitations.

READ MORE: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Secret Deal With IFBB Regarding Lower Prize Money Than Mr. Olympia for Arnold Classic Events

However, the recent announcement of a significant increase in prize money has sparked intrigue, especially considering his impending contract expiration with the IFBB. What’s your thought on this? Let us know in the comments below.

READ MORE: Is Arnold Schwarzenegger the CEO and Head of Arnold Classic?