03/09/2026
Amazing. The first place prize money was a whopping $750k this year! Back in the day when I worked with the IFBB and attended the Arnold Classic, winners were considered amazingly fortunate to receive $100k. Women, of course, didn't receive nearly that much for the obsessive, all-consuming effort put into competing. They never will as the female portion of bodybuilding competitions, for the most part has evolved into a "wellness/shape" scenario. Sponsorship for women from nutrition companies doesn't even begin to cover the costs for training and preparation for competition. But the b eat goes on...
Congrats to all of the amazing competitors and coaches.