Credit One Charleston Open to Award Record Prize Money in Milestone Step for Equality
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – In a transformative move for professional women’s sports, the Credit One Charleston Open has announced it will voluntarily double its prize money for the 2026 edition. By offering a total financial package of $2.5 million, the tournament becomes the first standalone WTA 500 event to proactively align its compensation with the standards of the ATP 500 level, marking a historic leap toward gender pay equity in tennis.
The record-breaking purse, funded by title sponsor Credit One Bank, includes $2.3 million dedicated to on-site prize money and an additional $200,000 contributed to WTA player benefit programs. The announcement comes well ahead of the WTA’s strategic “pathway to equality,” which aims for all 500-level events to offer equal prize money by 2033.
A Legacy of Leadership
Venus Williams, a 2004 Charleston champion and a lifelong advocate for equal pay, hailed the decision as a watershed moment.
“This is a huge moment for the legacy of our sport which sends a powerful message to the players, fans, and the future of tennis,” Williams said. “It shows real progress and a belief in the value of women’s sport.”
The investment is particularly significant given that the standard minimum prize money for a WTA 500 event in 2026 is approximately $1.2 million. By injecting an extra $1.1 million into the purse, Charleston is effectively doubling the baseline, proving that the market for women’s tennis is not just viable, but thriving.
Investing in the Athlete
Beyond the immediate prize checks, the $200,000 allocation to the Women’s Tennis Benefit Association (WTBA) ensures long-term security for competitors. These funds support essential services including:
- Comprehensive pension plans
- Health insurance coverage
- Subsidized college tuition and online degree programs through the University of Florida and Indiana University East
“Women’s tennis is delivering at a very high level right now, from the quality of competition to the engagement from fans,” said Ben Navarro, Tournament Owner. “Offering equal prize money is about respecting the players and the work they put in.”
Player Reactions: A Standard-Setting Moment
The announcement resonated deeply with the player body. Jessica Pegula, the 2025 Charleston champion and a member of the WTA Players’ Council, noted that such commitments validate the intensity of the tour. “When tournaments continue to invest equally, it sends a clear message to current players and the next generation about where the sport is headed,” Pegula remarked.
For Charleston local and World No. 17 Emma Navarro, the news was a point of civic pride. “Growing up in Charleston, this tournament has always meant so much to me. I’m incredibly proud that my hometown tournament is setting the standard.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Credit One Charleston Open, recently voted by players as the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for the fourth consecutive season, continues to pioneer technical and financial frontiers. This latest move follows last year’s successful implementation of Electronic Line Calling Live, a first for any WTA clay-court event.
The 2026 tournament is scheduled to take place from March 28 to April 5. With a field already expected to include stars like Pegula, Madison Keys, and Belinda Bencic, the record purse ensures that Charleston will remain the premier destination for women’s tennis in North America.