The US Open will feature the largest prize purse in tennis history when the 2026 edition gets underway, with the tournament set to distribute a record $101 million to players.
The figure represents a 19 per cent increase on the $85 million handed out at the 2025 US Open and marks the first time a tennis tournament has surpassed the $100 million threshold in player prize money.
The record payout comes amid growing pressure from players over how revenues generated by Grand Slam tournaments are distributed.
New player council to address Grand Slam issues
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has agreed to three major player requests: retirement contributions, the creation of a Grand Slam Player Council and a prize-money formula linked to tournament revenues.
USTA chief executive and president Craig Tiley met with a group of players during the Cincinnati Open and confirmed the organisation’s support for all three measures.
“This is a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes,” Tiley said, adding that the US Open remained the most valuable economic platform in tennis for players, fans and commercial partners.
ATP No. 6 Ben Shelton, speaking on behalf of the players, welcomed the creation of the council and said it would give players a meaningful opportunity to voice their views, contribute to discussions and help shape the Grand Slam tournaments beyond what happens on court.
Total player commitment rises to $108 million
The new council will primarily focus on sporting issues affecting the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Players will also be able to raise questions over revenue distribution through the council, although those matters will ultimately be handled separately by each Grand Slam. The four tournaments operate through a structure independent of the ATP.
The USTA has also allocated $2 million, with $1 million for each tour, to a new player support programme. Combined with a further $5 million in allowances, the US Open’s total financial commitment to players will reach $108 million.
Singles champions to receive $5.5 million
The winners of the men’s and women’s singles titles will each receive $5.5 million, more than double the amount awarded to the losing finalists.
The winners of the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles competitions will receive $1 million.
Even first-round losers will receive a substantial payout, earning $140,000 for a single match appearance.
$800 million Arthur Ashe Stadium renovation
The record prize fund comes as the US Open continues to invest heavily in its commercial infrastructure.
Arthur Ashe Stadium, the centrepiece of the tournament site, has undergone an $800 million renovation, while ticket prices have also increased across categories.
The US Open generated $559 million in operating revenue in 2024, meaning the 2026 prize purse of $101 million would represent around 18 per cent of that figure.
The tournament is expected to generate significantly higher revenues this year, supported by increased ticket prices and the upgraded stadium infrastructure.
Revenue-sharing debate shapes Grand Slam economics
The increase in prize money also comes against the backdrop of growing player dissatisfaction over Grand Slam revenue distribution.
Players raised concerns during the French Open and Wimbledon over what they viewed as an inequitable division of tournament revenues. The French Open subsequently announced changes to improve its player compensation model.
At the US Open, the new player council and revenue-linked prize-money proposal are intended to give athletes a greater role in discussions over the economics of the sport.
The measures also helped avoid a potential player boycott of the mixed doubles tournament, which attracted significant attention during last year’s US Open Fan Week.
The 2026 US Open is therefore set to be a landmark event not only because of its record $101 million prize purse, but also because it signals a broader shift in how players are represented in the business of Grand Slam tennis.