US Open Smashes Tennis Prize Record With $108 Million Player Fund
The US Open will offer $108 million in total player compensation in 2026, the largest prize package in tennis history, the USTA announced on 20 August 2026 (Front Office Sports).
The figure represents a 20 percent rise from last year's $90 million — and the second consecutive year of a 20 percent jump. Over two years, total compensation has climbed 44 percent (Tennis Industry Magazine).
For context, the 2024 US Open prize fund stood at $75 million, with each singles champion taking home $3.6 million (Reuters). By 2025, the singles winners each earned $5 million (Reuters). The tournament generated $559.7 million (£410.5 million) in revenue in 2024 (BBC Sport).
What sets this year apart is where the new money goes. The percentage increase is highest in the first round and falls in every subsequent round, meaning the biggest relative gains flow to players who exit earliest — those who most depend on prize money to cover travel, coaching and accommodation costs (BBC Sport).
World number three Jessica Pegula, speaking to the BBC in March, said last year's increase had been targeted primarily at players who reached the second week. This year's structure tilts further toward early-round competitors.
The USTA has also become the first Grand Slam to ring-fence $4 million in benefit payments for players, a figure that player representatives had asked each of the four majors to contribute this year. That money will come out of the overall prize fund and sit in an independent holding account while the details are worked through (BBC Sport).
Craig Tiley, the chief executive who previously headed Tennis Australia — the body that runs the Australian Open — described the US Open's prize offer as "a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes" (BBC Sport).
Player representatives welcomed the announcements and noted what they called the "substantial increase" in prize money (BBC Sport).
The tournament has also restructured its doubles payouts. Mixed doubles winners will still share $1 million, but first-round prize money in that event has been doubled and rewards for other entrants increased (BBC Sport).
Beyond the main draw, the USTA Pro Circuit — the American feeder tour for players climbing the rankings — offers nearly $5 million across its events, including $30,000 at M25 tournaments and $63,000 at ATP 50 Challenger events (USTA).
A Grand Slam Player Council will launch after the US Open, giving players a formal voice in sporting matters across all four majors (BBC Sport).
The USTA said its full financial statement would be published before the start of the main draw, which begins on Sunday, 30 August (BBC Sport).
Two years ago, a US Open singles champion won $3.6 million. The prize pool has since grown by nearly half. For the players who fill the draw — not just the two who lift the trophy — that gap is closing.
