Australian Open Sets New Record with $111.5 Million Prize Money
Highlights
- Record-Breaking Prize Pool: The 2026 Australian Open features a historic $111.5 million prize fund, marking a massive 16% increase from 2025.
- Champions Earn More: The men’s and women’s singles winners will each take home $4.15 million, a significant 19% jump compared to the previous year.
- Big Boost for Early Exits: Players losing in the first round of the main draw will now receive $150,000, while qualifying round prize money has increased by 16% across the board.
- Enhanced Player Support: To help combat the high costs of touring, travel assistance packages for players have been increased by a massive 67%.
- Investment in Sustainability: The prize money hike is part of a broader $135 million investment by Tennis Australia aimed at making professional tennis a financially viable career for more athletes, not just the top stars.
The 2026 Australian Open is set to make history before a single ball is hit, with tournament organizers confirming a record-breaking $111.5 million AUD prize money pool. This staggering figure represents a 16% increase over 2025, cementing the “Happy Slam” as a leader in financial compensation for professional tennis players.
A Historic Boost for the “Summer of Tennis”
The announcement, released by Tennis Australia, outlines a financial strategy focused heavily on sustainability and support for the wider playing field. The $111.5 million pot is the centerpiece of a broader $135 million investment into the Australian Summer of Tennis, designed to strengthen the sport’s foundations from the qualifying rounds up to the champions’ podium.
Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, emphasized that this increase is not just about headline-grabbing numbers for the winners, but about ensuring the viability of tennis as a career for hundreds of athletes.
“This 16 per cent increase demonstrates our commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level,” Tiley stated. “From boosting qualifying prize money by 55 per cent since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we’re ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors.”
Winners to Take Home $4.15 Million
At the top end of the spectrum, the rewards for lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup or the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup have reached new heights. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $4.15 million, a significant 19% jump from the previous year. Runners-up will also see a healthy increase, taking home $2.15 million (+13%).
However, the most critical adjustments may be found in the early rounds, addressing long-standing concerns about the costs of life on tour.
Supporting the “Middle Class” of Tennis
Tennis Australia has directed a substantial portion of the increase toward the qualifying and early main draw rounds—the stages where players often struggle most with travel and coaching expenses.
- Qualifying Rounds: Players in the qualifying draw will see a 16% increase across the board. A first-round loss in qualifying now guarantees $40,500, while reaching the final qualifying round earns $83,500.
- Main Draw Access: Simply stepping onto the court for the first round of the main draw now secures a paycheck of $150,000, a 14% rise from 2025.
- Travel Assistance: In a move to combat the “tyranny of distance” for athletes traveling to Australia, travel assistance packages have been hiked by a massive 67%.
“By supporting players at all levels, we’re building deeper talent pools and more compelling storylines for fans,” Tiley added. “This investment strengthens tennis’s foundation, ensuring the sport’s long-term health and commercial growth.”
2026 Australian Open Prize Money Breakdown
Below is the detailed distribution for the Men’s and Women’s Singles draws:
| Round | Prize Money (AUD) | Increase vs 2025 |
| Winner | $4,150,000 | +19% |
| Runner-up | $2,150,000 | +13% |
| Semifinalists | $1,250,000 | +14% |
| Quarterfinalists | $750,000 | +13% |
| Fourth Round | $480,000 | +14% |
| Third Round | $327,750 | +13% |
| Second Round | $225,000 | +13% |
| First Round | $150,000 | +14% |
Qualifying Draw:
- Q3: $83,500 (+16%)
- Q2: $57,000 (+16%)
- Q1: $40,500 (+16%)
Looking Ahead to Melbourne Park
The 2026 tournament promises to be a landmark event not only for its financial milestones but for the on-court narratives. With defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys looking to retain their titles, and a hungry pack of challengers vying for the expanded purse, the stakes at Melbourne Park have never been higher.
The main draw action is scheduled to begin on January 18, 2026, with the boosted qualifying rounds kicking off the week prior. With every singles and doubles player guaranteed at least a 10% raise, the 2026 Australian Open is poised to set a new standard for player welfare in the Grand Slam era.
