Archive · 21 Aug 2026
US Open's Record $108 Million Purse Eases Player Compensation Protest
The US Open tennis tournament will give players more money than ever before.
The total prize pool will be $108 million.
Each singles champion will receive $5.5 million.
Players who lose in the first round will get $140,000.
This is more money than players received last year.
The United States Tennis Association will also create a $2 million support program in 2026.
Players had protested because they wanted a larger share of tournament revenue.
They welcomed the changes but said they still want a formal revenue-sharing agreement.
The US Open will award a record $108 million in prize money this year.
The men's and women's singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, up 10% from last year.
First-round payouts will rise 27% to $140,000, a Grand Slam record.
The United States Tennis Association will launch a $2 million Player Support Program in 2026.
Players welcomed the increases but said they still seek a formal revenue-sharing formula with Grand Slam tournaments.
- Who
- The United States Tennis Association, the US Open, professional tennis players, and leading players including Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka.
- What
- The US Open announced a record $108 million prize-money pool, higher player payouts, and a $2 million Player Support Program.
- When
- The announcement was made Thursday; the tournament is scheduled for August 23 to September 13, and the support program is planned for 2026.
- Where
- New York, at the US Open.
- Why
- The increases respond to players' demands for a larger share of Grand Slam tournament revenue and greater player support.
United States Tennis Association and Tournament Officials
Players
Prize-money increase
United States Tennis Association and Tournament Officials
The United States Tennis Association announced the record purse, higher early-round payouts, and a Player Support Program as measures supporting players.
Players
Players welcomed the substantial increase and described it as important progress in discussions with the US Open.
Revenue sharing
United States Tennis Association and Tournament Officials
The announcement increases prize money but does not establish a formal formula linking player payments to tournament revenue.
Players
Players remain committed to securing an agreed revenue-sharing formula with each Grand Slam tournament.
Player representation
United States Tennis Association and Tournament Officials
The newly announced Grand Slam Player Council is intended to give players a voice on issues such as prize money.
Players
Players are seeking a stronger role in decisions about compensation and other tournament issues.
- Total prize money
- $108 million, described as the largest purse in tennis history.
- Singles champion payout
- $5.5 million for each men's and women's singles champion.
- Champion increase
- 10% higher than last year.
- First-round payout
- $140,000, a 27% increase and a Grand Slam record.
- Player Support Program
- An initial $2 million commitment in 2026, split equally between men and women players.
- Player protest
- Players limited some French Open and Wimbledon media availabilities to 15 minutes while seeking a higher revenue share.
- Player representation
- The four Grand Slam tournaments announced a Grand Slam Player Council to give players a voice on issues including prize money.
