Rules You Probably Didn't Know Contestants On 'The Challenge' Have To Follow (2024)

Production provides a list of items that are considered contraband before filming starts. Radios, books, and televisions all make the list. Contestant Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio told Us Weekly that people have been caught hiding contraband in protein containers, so all workout supplements must be factory-sealed.

The Challenge doesn't mess around with potential leaks from contestants, which is why sneaking in a cell phone is met with a $25,000 fine, contestant Derrick Kosinki told Us Weekly. Yep, you read that right: $25,000!

Why? Past contestants snuck in phones. "They literally try to hide phones in everything," president of entertainment and development for Bunim/Murray Productions, Julie Pizzi, told E! News. "Like, they'll cut the side of a jacket and put a phone in there. It's very funny."

The show is a physical competition between athletes, so producers have to make sure no one gets an advantage over others. "We have to know what's in everything," Julie told E! News. "So if they have protein pills, if we don't know what it is, we won't let them take it in the house. We basically take almost everything unless it's a very familiar brand."

Sure, some know months in advance, but others don't get that luxury. "Some people get the call a week before. Some people will get the call while we're filming," contestant Chris "C.T." Tamburello told Rolling Stone.

That means at the house, at the competition, you name it. How else would all the juicy drama get captured for the show?

The show sometimes takes place in remote locations, and due to the secrecy of the competition, all of the cast's meals are covered by production. Season 36—filmed during COVID—was catered by a local service, according to Variety.

Although the meals are catered, there is a way for contestants to get their favorite snacks while filming. Contestant Cory Wharton told Us Weekly that they can add cravings to a grocery list, which production then fulfills.

While food is taken care of, if they want to drink when they visit the bar, they have to pick up their own tab, Challenge vets told Us Weekly.

So while they are allowed to communicate with their friends and family, they're only given 10 minutes worth of video chatting a week, Cory told Us Weekly. Some contestants choose to use it in one sitting, while others prefer to divide it into multiple calls. This is a departure from the previous allotment of two 10-minute phone calls a week.

Production screens all of the contestants calls, Johnny told Us Weekly, to ensure they aren't divulging any information about the competition.

Per contestant Cara Maria Sorbello, they should expect to be away from home for anywhere from six to eight weeks—and that's all before they make it to the finals.

While hanging in a mansion might sound fun, remember that there's no internet or television. "There's very little escape," C.T. told Rolling Stone.

The top priority for most contestants is training for competitions, so there's always a gym at the house. "It just such a strong device for them to go and work out and to become physically fit so they can continue to compete and win," producer Dan Caster told E! News.

From Mexico to Iceland, the show changes its location every season. Contestants who make it to the finals also travel to a new location every season, but per Variety, that didn't happen during COVID.

The size of the prize varies, but in recent years, it's been in the $1 million range! Hence the reason everyone has their eye on the prize. The catch? Keep clicking.

Every season is different. Sometimes there's one winner, other times, there's two. In season 34, C.T., Dee Nguyen, Jordan Wiseley, and Rogan O'Connor split the prize money and each took home $250,000.

Whether they take home the prize money or not, the competitors are paid per episode for appearing on the reality show. If you're lucky enough to stick it out all season, you'll end up taking home more cash.

It literally pays to be a fan favorite on The Challenge. According to Us Weekly, the "elite" veteran contestants can earn up to $80,000 on day one. Meanwhile, the less popular veterans bring in $3,000 to $5,000 per week, and newcomers are paid around $1,000 an episode.

Having a bitter rivalry with another vet gives you a better chance of returning for a future season. But don't for a second think those feuds are fake—as Johnny Bananas told Us Weekly, they're 100% real.