‘The Challenge’ Stars Who Won the Most Money Competing on the Show
The Challenge is more than just an opportunity to travel to cool places and take part in competitions that most people won’t ever get the chance to — it’s also a way for contestants to take home some cold hard cash!
With the flagship franchise spanning 40 seasons, plus spinoffs that have also paid out, there are some players who have raked in prize pots that total more than seven figures. The leaderboard of highest-earning Challenge competitors is filled with legends, but also some lesser-known players who happened to score big during their few appearances.
Of course, the leaderboard is constantly being shaken up as new winners and finalists take home money. In fact, one competitor moved to the top spot after a Season 40 victory in January 2025!
Scroll down to see the top earners of the Challenge franchise.
Jordan Wiseley — $1,536,000
After Jordan Wiseley won Season 40 of The Challenge and took home $400,000 (plus an additional $5,000 for winning a cash prize earlier on), he earned his spot at the top of the all-time earnings leaderboard. This was Wiseley’s fifth Challenge win and began a serious conversation about how he may be the GOAT of the franchise.
Total Winnings:
Rivals II: $8,000
Battle of the Exes II: $125,000
Dirty 30: $450,000
War of the Worlds 2: $250,000
World Championship: $250,000
Ride or Dies: $38,000
Battle for a New Champion: $10,000
Battle of the Eras: $405,000
(He also raised $5,000 for charity on Champs vs. Pros.)
Johnny Bananas — $1,277,720
Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio has the most Challenge wins of all-time (seven), but his prize pot isn’t quite as high as the two men above him. Still, he has an impressive seven-figure total after adding $25,000 for his third place finish on Season 40.
Total Winnings:
Inferno 3: $40,000
The Island: $75,000
The Ruins: $52, 970
Rivals: $52,000
Battle of the Exes: $76,250
Rivals II: $17,500
Free Agents: $125,000
Rivals III: $276,000
Total Madness: $500,000
Ride or Dies: $38,000
Battle of the Eras: $25,000
(He also raised $51,000 for charity on Champs vs. Stars.)
CT Tamburello — $1,124,750
Although Chris “CT” Tamburello is a Challenge OG, he didn’t get his first win until his ninth season as a competitor. The beloved MTV star has five total Challenge wins and several final appearances under his belt — and an impressive bank account to show for it.
Total Winnings:
The Inferno: $11,000
The Inferno II: $10,000
Rivals: $1,000
Battle of the Exes: $52,500
Rivals II: $63,000
Invasion of the Champions: $112,250
Dirty 30: $15,000
Double Agents: $450,000
Spies, Lies & Allies: $400,000
Battle for a New Champion: $10,000
(He also raised $112,950 for charity by winning Seasons 1 and 2 of Champs vs. Stars.)
Ashley Mitchell — $1,121,250
Ashley Mitchell has two Challenge wins, with most of her money coming from her victory on Final Reckoning, where she and partner/nemesis Hunter Barifeld were the sole winners of $1,000,000. However, Mitchell made a cutthroat move when she stole the entire pot from Barfield and banking the full $1,000,000.
Total Winnings:
Invasion of the Champions: $121,250
Final Reckoning: $1,000,000
(She also raised $4,200 for charity on Champs vs. Pros and Champs vs. Stars.)
Turabi “Turbo” Camkiran — $750,000
The Challenge: War of the Worlds only had one winner, and it was Turabi “Turbo” Camkiran. In his Challenge debut (and only win), the Survivor Turkey star took home the whole thing, earning $750,000 and putting him toward the top of the list.
Total Winnings:
War of the Worlds: $750,000
Jenny West — $737,500
Jenny West was one of two female winners on Season 40 of The Challenge, earning half of a $475,000 pot. This was added to her $500,000 from winning Total Madness to put her in an impressive spot on the leaderboard. It’s hard to believe she’s only been on three seasons total!
Total Winnings:
Total Madness: $500,000
Battle of the Eras: $237,500
Cara Maria Sorbello — $627,250
Cara Maria Sorbello is a two-time Challenge champion, but also has eight final appearances that added some money to her pot over the years.
Total Winnings:
Cutthroat: $20,000
Rivals: $26,000
Rivals II: $17,500
Battle of the Bloodlines: $125,000
Dirty 30: $35,000
Vendettas: $378,750
All Stars 4: $25,000
(She also won Champs vs. Pros and raised $55,000 for charity.)
Camila Nakagawa — $566,250
Although Camila Nakagawa’s controversies have kept her away from The Challenge since 2017, she banked an impressive amount of dough during her time on the show. The majority of her winnings came from the $450,000 she took home on Season 30.
Total Winnings:
Battle of the Exes: $76,250
Rivals II: $7,500
Invasion of the Champions: $27,500
Dirty 30: $450,000
Spring Break Challenge: $5,000
(She also raised $1,000 for charity on Champs vs. Pros.)
Wes Bergmann — $553,000
Wes Bergmann announced his retirement from The Challenge in 2023, but at that point he’d already added a good amount of money to his bank account. Bergmann’s biggest winnings came from his Season 3 victory on The Challenge: All Stars, for which he took home $250,000.
Total Winnings:
Fresh Meat: $10,000
The Duel: $150,000
Rivals: $25,000
Rivals II: $63,000
War of the Worlds: $50,000
Total Madness: $5,000
All Stars 3: $250,000
(He won $9,200 for charity on Champs vs. Pros and Champs vs. Stars too.)
Yes Duffy — $511,254
When Yes Duffy started competing on The Challenge on Season 3, which he won, the prize pots were much smaller. However, he returned for Season 1 of All Stars and added $500,000 to his all-time total.
Total Winnings:
Challenge 2000: $11,254
All Stars 1: $500,000
Conversation25 Comments
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R
You can't really compare Jordan and Johnny bananas because Jordan started when they were already giving out big money. Whereas Johnny bananas started way before him and the price pot was not as big. Both great competitors but I still put Johnny on top
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G
Bananas is way too arrogant, and he is not as good at physical challenges as Jordan. He is much better at manipulating people. Bananas showed his character when he didn’t share the winning money with Sarah. What a POS.
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G
Johnny Bananas and CT , Cara Marie are my all time favorites. Cory is a big cry baby he cuts his own throat he would win if he tried harder. T j best host ever.
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G
You named my top 3 players. Cory thinks he's better than what he is! Talks a good game but never takes 1st place. Cry baby!!
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R
I miss CT and Zach, both are Goats.
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G
Jordan only has one hand! He is missing all fingers and thumb on his left hand. Impressive indeed.👍
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C
Yeah Jordan is a badass, very amazing definitely. But he's not missing all digits on his left hand he's still got the pinky and thumb nubs so he's able to use the hand somewhat
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R
Jordan is impressive
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G
Missed CT's War of the World 2 win
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O
And Jordan along with Rogan and Dee
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B
What about Jonna?
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O
You’re definitely right on the money side of it, BUT… Jordan has was 5 challenges, so I’d definitely say he’s up there on GOAT status. Plus his win/appearance percentage is MUCH higher than Bananas. Bananas has won 7 out what 21. Jordan has won 5 out what 8ish seasons
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B
LeRoys a great competitor but can't win in a final for ish..
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O
They’re missing CT’s $250,000 win on War of the Worlds.
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G
I know hunter talked about her on the reckoning but she’s low down because if it wasn’t for him she would have never made it to the end. So maybe a pos is very accurate.
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G
Bananas did the same to Sarah. Selfish, arrogant people.
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G
Being THE GOAT doesn't mean that you actually ATE the goat!!!
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A
Jordan is the man !!! Love Jordan's attitude. He's gonna give his all and take no crap about it. Tori is my gal !! Gonna miss seeing her on season 41.
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O
Are you serious? I can’t stand Jordan. He’s beyond arrogant, mysogonist and cocky. If they would’ve been paying Johnny the big bucks when he started he’d be far beyond Jordan’s bank. Don’t see how Tori even dated that prick
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B
They buried those seasons because of what Bear did away from the show.. what a POS.
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B
I thought Evelyn would be on this list
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G
I really miss seeing Camilla and Wes
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R
Ashley is truly a pos
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O
What about big easy??? He is actually the goat
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O
The best players Jordan, CT, Bananas, Cara Maria, west, Annesa and Jonna, also Devan, Leroy!!