As the 2024 Mr. Olympia competition draws near, last year’s winner Derek Lunsford faces tough challengers such as Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, and a roster of top-tier bodybuilders. The highly anticipated event kicks off on Thursday, October 10, and the pressure is on for Lunsford to defend his title.
A repeat victory would place him among the elite company of bodybuilding icons such as Ronnie Coleman, Lee Haney, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who have won consecutive Mr. Olympia titles.
How much money do the winners get this year?
The prize money for 2024 has yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to surpass last year’s record-breaking total of $1.6 million.
From 2015 to 2020, the total purse was set at $1.4 million, but recent years have seen a steady increase in prize money. Traditionally, the Mr. Olympia winner receives the largest payout, with the 2023 champion taking home $400,000. The total prize pool for the Mr. Olympia division reached about $750,000, divided among the top finishers.
Ms. Olympia offers the second-largest payout, with winners earning $95,000. While the full breakdown for the 2024 competition hasn’t been announced, it is expected that the Mr. Olympia winner will again take home $400,000, with other event winners receiving around $50,000.
In 2023, the Mr. Olympia prize distribution remained consistent, with the champion receiving $400,000, the runner-up earning $150,000, and the third-place finisher collecting $100,000. Competitors finishing fourth and fifth saw slight increases in their payouts compared to previous years.
When is Mr Olympia 2024?
Qualified competitors for the event include top bodybuilders from various countries, such as Lunsford (USA), Hadi Choopan (Iran), Samson Dauda (UK), Rafael Brandao (Brazil), and Brandon Curry (USA), among others. The competitors represent nations like the USA, Iran, the UK, Brazil, France, Egypt, and more.
The schedule for the upcoming Mr. Olympia event is as follows:
- Friday, October 11: Mr. Olympia pre-judging
- Saturday, October 12: Mr. Olympia Finals