The Podium Pays: South Africa's Top 5 Bodybuilding Shows for Prize Money in 2026
In the world of competitive bodybuilding, glory and trophies are paramount, but significant prize money is what truly separates the Promoters. There are promoters who see athletes as tools to enrich themselves, and promoters who understand it is important to reward bodybuilders as they are the stars of the show. For athletes in South Africa, the financial reward for their years of sacrifice is growing year on year. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, several shows are distinguishing themselves as the most lucrative platforms for the country's top physiques.
Based on current prize structures and promoter commitments, here are the top 5 bodybuilding shows in South Africa when it comes to prize money.
1. The Shaye Best Classic (UWSFF)
Promoter: Shaye Best
Location: Cape Town
Total Verified Purse: R124,000
Taking a commanding lead is the Shaye Best Classic. With a total prize purse of R124,000, this Cape Town-based event has set a new benchmark.. The show ensures widespread earnings by giving R1,000 to each of its 23 lineup winners. It then crowns its elite with a massive R20,000 awarded to each of the four overall champions (Men's & Ladies Bodybuilding, Men's Physique, Ladies Bikini). Furthermore, the show's commitment to athlete development is proven by substantial spot prizes, like the R20,000 plane ticket awarded to Jaco to the World Championships and social media awards. This combination of broad distribution and top-tier rewards makes it the most financially significant show on the circuit.
Each line up winner got R1000 That’s 23 line ups in total.
Men’s Overall bodybuilding R20 000
Ladies Overall bodybuilding R20 000
Men’s physique Overall R20 000 Ladies bikini overall R20 000 A spot prize to Jaco Jonker of R20 000 given for his plane ticket to worlds. He also won 1000 cash for the Shaye best classic loading award. ( social media award)
2. The Beast Classic (Non Affiliated)
Promoter: Abongile Bhele
Location: Eastern Cape
Total Verified Purse: R100,000
Hosted in the Eastern Cape, only in its 2nd year of operation The Beast Classic has already earned a reputation for its focused and substantial prize offerings. With a total verified purse of R100,000, it invests heavily in its champions. The show is particularly notable for offering one of the highest single-category prizes in the nation: a whopping R25,000 for the Senior Men's Bodybuilding overall champion,
Senior Men bodybuilding overall 1st place R25000
Senior Men bodybuilding overall 2nd place R15000
Senior Men bodybuilding overall 3rd place R10000
Ladies overall R5000
Men’s physique R5000
Best poser award R2000
Men’s novice bodybuilding R5000
Then various cash prizes for powerlifting ladies and men’s categories.
With hampers worth 2000 to all novice division winners
3. Superbodies Show
Promoter: Ali Akbar Sultan
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Total Prize Haul: R100,000
The Superbodies Show remains a key player in the national circuit. Promoter Ali Akbar Sultan's commitment to a total prize haul of R100,000 is a significant draw. While specific category breakdowns are to be confirmed for 2025, the sheer scale of this total purse ensures that the Superbodies Show will be a major destination for national talent seeking a top-tier payday in the economic hub of Johannesburg.
4. The Gentle Giant Show (IFBB Affiliated)
Promoter: IFBB President Wayne Price
Location: Pretoria
Estimated Total Purse: R75,000
As an IFBB-affiliated event promoted by the president of the national federation, the Gentle Giant Show carries immense prestige. Its unique and transparent prize structure, where a significant portion of each contestant's entry fee is directly added to their category's prize pool, ensures a substantial and competitive purse. With an estimated total payout of R36,000.
According to the official gentle giant PDF document
- Each lineup has its own prize pot.
- R1000 of each athletes R1500 entrance fee was put in a pot.
- The winner of the line up will win the 50% accumulated amount, 2nd place wins 30% and then 3rd place takes 20%.
The problem is the IFBB isn't so forthcoming with information on how much money was awarded to the athletes or even how many athletes entered the show. I contacted them various times for information but get blue ticked.
TThe confusing part is there is no information on the prize money being awarded only footage of R500 being given to the winners which makes no sense. So Either there weren’t enough contestants so they lowered the entry fee or made it free for athletes to enter the show which significantly lowered the prize awarded. OR they duped athletes into thinking they would win money then after they entered the promoter came up with an excuse not to pay them the money they deserve.
Wayne Price is a legend in the game and a reputable businessman so I highly doubt he did a uturn and decided to chow the money himself. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for all of this.
5. WFF SA Championships
Promoter: Hende- Mari Strydom
Location: Pretoria
Total Verified Purse: R30,000
The South African bodybuilding scene is vibrant and growing. While the four shows above are currently setting the benchmark for prize money, the landscape is always evolving. This fifth spot is reserved for the next promoter ready to invest in the athletes and elevate the sport. With the bar set high by events like the Shaye Best Classic, the competition to offer the best prizes is as fierce as the competition on stage, which is a win for every bodybuilder in South Africa.
A Note for 2026 Competitors:
Prize structures can change from year to year. Athletes are strongly encouraged to contact promoters directly and review the official competitive guidelines for the 2026 season to confirm exact prize amounts and categories before committing to a show.
