The Arnold Sports Festival extends beyond mere bodybuilding competitions. It offers an array of platforms for showcasing different skills in the line of fitness. After the roaring success of Mr. Olympia, 2023, the Arnold Classic 2024 is all set to ignite the zeal of passion among bodybuilders again, pumping them up. It is scheduled to be held in the first week of March.

From the powerhouse of bodybuilding, Samson Dauda to the dedicated Hadi Choopan, many are set to give a jaw-dropping appearance in the Open division. Meanwhile, rising start Michael Daboul, and the season champion Terrence Ruffin are all ready to set the Classic Physique stage on fire. But what exactly are the criteria that an athlete must meet to be able to participate in the Arnold Classic? Continue reading to find out.

How is the participant list of the Arnold Classic created?

The Arnold Classic championship is purely invitational. A very selected few from the IFBB Pro League competitors get an invitation from the promoters of the prestigious event so that they are allowed to grace the stage with their presence. Only athletes, those who agree to participate after receiving the invitation, find their place in the list of lineups which is generally out by the month of December.

However, other than those competing in events, the Arnold Classic Expo will also have the presence of certain other athletes as well. This year, the 21-year-old fitness influencer Sam Sulek will be present at the Arnold Expo 2024. Even though this raised some controversy in the bodybuilding community, Sulek’s presence was confirmed when the charges for clicking pictures and receiving autographs from him were revealed. 

On the other hand, the fact that he has not yet earned a professional card and is still invited makes certain questions arise, as Sulek is going to be one of the youngest presenters at the festival. Sulek will be charging as much as $50 for his photos alone and $30 for his signatures.

But what might be the reason behind Sulek charging such exorbitant prices?

Bodybuilding News Network speculates the reason behind Sam Sulek’s charges

In one of their YouTube videos, the Bodybuilding News Network stated various reasons as to why the prices charged by Sam Sulek are going to be exceptionally high. The YouTuber said, “Here he’s charging or maybe not him, but maybe it’s Hosstile, maybe it’s Fouad, maybe Fouad’s running all this,” hinting at the fact that Hosstile supplements and IFBB Pro Fouad Abiad, who Sulek is a brand ambassador for, might be the people behind the rates that have been put out.

However, what irked the fitness community all the more was that the amount of money being charged by Sulek, is equivalent to the amount at which fans can get autographed photos of Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman.

Read More: Here’s Why the Arnold Classic Is More Unique Than the Mr. Olympia

Most wondered how a bodybuilder without a professional career had been given the same platform to sell his photos next to world-famous bodybuilders who have won multiple Mr. Olympia titles despite Sulek himself earning his name at quite an early age.

What are your thoughts about this collaboration in the Arnold Classic? Who do you think will win the title this year? Let us know in the comments section below!

Read More: Arnold Classic 2023: Prize Money Breakdown