He’s back: The Arnold Sports Festival starts today

Ever since its inception in 1989, The Arnold Sports Festival has called Columbus home, and the 2016 edition is set to be the biggest yet.

With 70 sports and nearly 20,000 athletes, The Arnold is bigger in size than The Olympics, according to Worthington-based founder and initial investor Jim Lorimer.

This year is the first that the model of the “Arnold Classic” is expanding to six continents, with sports festivals happening not only in Columbus, but also in Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Melbourne, Hong Kong, and Johannesburg.

And of course, the prize money has grown as well. Lorimer said that it seemed excessive to offer $10,000 in prize money in the festival’s opening year, and now the festival offers $500,000 in prize money for bodybuilding alone.

The festival has grown far more profitable over the years by becoming an exhibition of fitness and nutrition products in addition to hosting sports events.

Tickets to the festival are still available, ranging from $20 for a day pass at the door to $600 for a VIP pass. Certain events, like bodybuilding and fighting competitions, have tickets sold separately.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY