ARNOLD CLASSIC TO INCREASE MEN’S OPEN BODYBUILDING FIRST-PLACE PRIZE MONEY TO $300,000 IN 2023

With the 2023 Arnold Classic less than two months away, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced another major increase in the prize money for the Arnold Classic men’s bodybuilding championships.

“From the first time we hosted a bodybuilding championship in Columbus in 1976, my goal has been increasing the prize money to reward these fantastic athletes. They are making year-round commitments to improving their physiques and attaining their goals, and as former competitor who worked bricklaying jobs during the offseason and now as a promoter, I want to match that level of commitment to the sport of bodybuilding,” Schwarzenegger said. “I am excited to announce that the winner of this year’s Arnold Classic will win a record $300,000.”

Two-time Arnold Classic champion William “The Conqueror” Bonac and rising superstar Shaun “GK” Clarida highlight this year’s Arnold Classic. All told, more than 10 former Arnold Classic champions will return to compete on the Arnold stage in the Arnold Classic, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Fitness, Bikini, Wellness and Wheelchair.

The $100,000 increase comes one year after the Arnold Classic top prize was increased from $130,000 to $200,000 as part of an investment that also saw the first-place check awarded to the Arnold Classic Physique champion increase to $60,000, the largest of any bodybuilding show. The prize money for the Arnold Strongwoman Classic was also raised to $50,000, bringing the total cash prizes for pro bodybuilding and pro strongman to more than $1 million.

“The Arnold Sports Festival is on pace to have record sponsorship and ticket sales so the time is right to reward our athletes, fans and sponsors with the best Arnold Classic ever,” Schwarzenegger said. “I can’t wait to see who takes home the $300,0000 in March.”

The 2023 Arnold Sports Festival will be held March 2-5, 2023. This year’s festival will again feature the Arnold Classic and six other pro bodybuilding contests, the Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Arnold Expo and all the strength, combat, fitness and youth sports that combine to make the event the largest multi-sports celebration in the world.

For more information and to purchase VIP packages, Expo passes and other tickets, visit www.arnoldsports.com. For those who can’t make it to Columbus, the Arnold Classic will be televised live throughout the world on Pay-Per-View.