Brisbane International 2026 Prize Money: What We Know So Far
The 2026 tennis season is officially upon us, and all eyes are turning toward the Queensland Tennis Centre as the Brisbane International prepares to welcome the world’s elite players. As one of the premier lead-up events to the Australian Open, this combined tournament—featuring a WTA 500 event for the women and an ATP 250 event for the men—serves as a critical battleground for ranking points and early-season momentum.
Beyond the trophies and the ranking points, the financial rewards on offer are substantial. For the 2026 edition, the tournament boasts a combined financial commitment approaching $2 million across both tours. However, a closer look at the figures reveals two very different stories: a recalibration of the purse on the women’s side and stability on the men’s side.
Below is a detailed analysis of the prize money on offer for the Brisbane International 2026, including confirmed totals, projected distributions, and year-on-year comparisons.
WTA 500 Event: A Significant Purse Despite Reductions
The women’s draw at the Brisbane International is a WTA 500 level event, placing it in the upper echelon of the tour’s hierarchy, sitting just below the WTA 1000s and Grand Slams. It features a larger draw size (48 singles players) compared to the men’s event and consequently offers a significantly larger total financial commitment.
Total Financial Commitment: $1,206,446
For 2026, the confirmed total financial commitment is $1,206,446. This figure encompasses the total pool available for player compensation, including on-site prize money, marketing fees, and bonus pool contributions.
While this remains a lucrative purse, it represents a notable shift from the previous year. The 2025 edition of the Brisbane International featured a total commitment of $1,520,600, marking a high-water mark for the event’s return as a standalone 500.
Year-Over-Year Analysis: A ~20% Adjustment
When comparing the 2026 commitment to the 2025 edition, the numbers show a decrease of approximately $314,154, or -20.66%.
This reduction aligns the Brisbane prize money more closely with the standard financial band for WTA 500 events globally, moving away from the inflated “return” purse seen in 2025. Despite the drop, the tournament remains one of the richest WTA 500 stops on the calendar, offering substantial rewards for those who go deep in the draw.
Projected Prize Money Distribution (Singles)
While the official round-by-round breakdown has not yet been released by the WTA, we can estimate the 2026 payout structure by applying a proportional adjustment to the 2025 distribution model.
In 2025, the champion took home $192,475. With the 20.6% reduction in the overall pool, the 2026 champion can expect a check in the range of $152,000 to $155,000.
Table: 2025 Actuals vs. 2026 Projections
Note: 2026 figures are estimates based on the reduction in total commitment.
| Round | 2025 Prize Money (Actual) | 2026 Prize Money (Projected) |
| Winner | $192,475 | ~$152,800 |
| Finalist | $120,735 | ~$95,800 |
| Semifinalist | $69,650 | ~$55,300 |
| Quarterfinalist | $35,000 | ~$27,800 |
| Round of 16 | $17,750 | ~$14,100 |
| Round of 32 | $12,300 | ~$9,700 |
| Round of 64 | $10,660 | ~$8,460 |
Even with the reduction, a first-round exit (Round of 64) still guarantees players nearly $8,500, a vital sum for covering the high costs of travel and accommodation in Australia during the peak summer season.
ATP 250 Event: Stability and Consistency
On the men’s side, the Brisbane International is categorized as an ATP 250 tournament. While this is a lower tier than the women’s WTA 500 event, it remains a highly competitive fixture on the ATP Tour, drawing top-10 talent looking to fine-tune their game before Melbourne.
Total Prize Money: $680,140
The financial picture for the men is one of stability. The confirmed “on-site” prize money for the 2026 event is $680,140, which is exactly the same figure offered in 2025. When accounting for tournament fees and per diems, the Total Financial Commitment for the ATP side hovers around $766,000.
Year-Over-Year Analysis: 0% Change
Unlike the women’s draw, the ATP prize pool has remained flat.
- 2025 Prize Money: $680,140
- 2026 Prize Money: $680,140
- Change: $0 (0.00%)
This consistency is typical for ATP 250 events, which operate within specific prize money bands set by the tour. It ensures players know exactly what to expect financially when planning their early-season schedule.
2026 Prize Money Distribution (Singles)
Because the total pool remains identical to 2025, the distribution for the 32-player singles draw is expected to mirror the previous year perfectly.
Table: ATP Singles Prize Money Breakdown
| Round | Prize Money |
| Winner | $96,985 |
| Finalist | $56,580 |
| Semifinalist | $33,055 |
| Quarterfinalist | $18,685 |
| Round of 16 | $10,955 |
| Round of 24 | $6,580 |
Note: The ATP draw is smaller (32 players) compared to the WTA draw (48 players), meaning there is no “Round of 64.”
Doubles Prize Money (Per Team)
The doubles event, featuring 24 teams, also retains its 2025 payout structure:
- Winner: $35,570
- Finalist: $18,510
- Semifinalist: $9,770
- Quarterfinalist: $5,450
The “Combined Event” Dynamic: Why the Difference?
Casual fans often ask why the prize money differs so significantly between the men and women at the same tournament. The Brisbane International is a classic example of a “Combined Event” where the tier status of the two tours does not align.
1. Tier Status: The women’s event is a WTA 500, which carries higher ranking points (500 points for the winner) and minimum prize money standards set by the WTA. The men’s event is an ATP 250 (250 points for the winner), the entry-level tier for main tour ATP events. Naturally, the higher-tier event commands a larger financial commitment.
2. Draw Size: The WTA 500 event in Brisbane features a 48-player singles draw, requiring more matches and more players to be paid. The ATP 250 event features a tighter 32-player singles draw. This discrepancy in scale necessitates a larger total pool for the women to ensure fair compensation across the additional round of competition.
Conclusion
The 2026 Brisbane International continues to be a financially significant stop on the global tennis calendar. While the women’s prize money has seen a correction from the highs of 2025, the total commitment of over $1.2 million ensures it remains a premier destination for the WTA’s best. Meanwhile, the ATP side offers stability and consistent rewards, providing a solid financial foundation for the men starting their 2026 campaigns.
For the champions lifting the trophy in January, the payday remains sweet: approximately $153,000 for the women’s winner and roughly $97,000 for the men’s winner—a perfect bonus to start the Australian summer.
