2026 US Open Sets Record With $108 Million Player Compensation Package
from PxHere
NEW YORK — The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced a historic financial commitment for the 2026 US Open, unveiling a total player compensation package of $108 million. The record-setting purse represents a 20% increase over the $90 million distributed in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of 20% growth and a 44% overall expansion in player compensation over the past two seasons.
The headline payout will see both the Men’s and Women’s Main Draw Singles Champions earn $5.5 million each—the single largest payout for a champion in tennis history. Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles Champions will also see elevated payouts, taking home $1,000,000 per winning team.
Beyond the top-tier winners, the 2026 purse prioritizes lower-ranked and early-round competitors:
- Main Draw Singles First Round: $140,000 per player, a 27% increase and the highest first-round payout in Grand Slam history.
- Qualifying First Round: $32,000 per player, representing a 16% jump.
- Doubles Champions: $1,000,000 per winning team across Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed events.
“This is a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes as the US Open continues to be the best economic opportunity for players and the most valuable platform in tennis for players, fans and partners,” said USTA CEO Craig Tiley.“ We are proud to deliver record-setting prize money and expanded player benefits as well as providing a new platform to work together with players.”
Introducing the Player Support Program & Grand Slam Council
In addition to traditional prize money, the USTA is pioneering a new Player Support Program funded by an initial $2 million commitment for 2026. Held in escrow and split equally between men and women players, the fund will provide assistance for mid-career life events and retirement transitions to complement existing end-of-career pensions. Crucially, eligibility will not depend on ranking tiers, opening access to all main draw singles and doubles competitors.
The initiative aligns with a broader joint move by all four Grand Slam tournaments—the US Open, Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and Wimbledon—to form a Grand Slam Player Council. The new council will give players a direct voice on tournament operations and assist in shaping the structure of the US Open’s new player benefits program.
“The US Open has a long history of listening to players, and this player support program and Council builds on that commitment,” stated Brian Vahaly, Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA. “We look forward to working directly with players to better understand the opportunities and challenges they face, and to continue finding meaningful ways to support them both on and off the court.”
