US Open 2026 prize money up 20 per cent, singles champions to get $5.5 million

The US Tennis Association (USTA) has announced an increase of about 20 per cent in the total prize money for the 2026 US Open Tennis tournament. The overall prize money has reached $108 million, the highest in its history.

According to the BBC, the decision comes at a time when leading players had been threatening to boycott the mixed doubles event. The champions of the women’s and men’s singles will receive $5.5 million each. Players who lose in the first round have been set to receive $140,000, which is 27 per cent more than last year.

A sum of $2 million has also been set aside from the prize money for players’ welfare. The money will be held in an independent account, and players will also be involved in deciding the details of the programme.

All four Grand Slam tournaments have also announced the formation of a Grand Slam Players’ Council. Its aim is to give players a chance to give their views directly on tournament matters, including prize money.

Players have long been demanding that Grand Slam tournaments set aside 16 per cent of their revenue for prize money, to be raised to 22 per cent by 2030. However, the US Open’s financial report for 2025 has not yet been released, so it is not clear whether the tournament has met the 16 per cent target.

This year, the largest percentage rise in prize money is in the first round. The rate of increase will fall gradually in each later round. In mixed doubles, too, the first-round prize money has been doubled. However, the total sum for the winning pair will remain $1 million.

The US Open will begin on 30 August.