US Open makes Grand Slam history with record $108 million purse

The 2026 US Open will begin Aug. 30 with the largest prize fund tennis has seen at a Grand Slam.

Organizers have committed $108 million, a 20% jump from 2025, BBC reports. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each collect $5.5 million, representing a 10% raise.

This year’s structure, however, delivers its strongest percentage increase to players who exit earliest. First-round singles competitors will receive $140,000, up $30,000 and 27% from last year. Each following round carries a progressively smaller percentage increase.

That approach addresses concerns Jessica Pegula raised in March. The world No. 3 argued that the 2025 distribution primarily rewarded players who already reached the second week.

This year’s US Open purse will reach $108 million, representing the largest player compensation package in the sport’s history. https://t.co/qRX0pfjZiH

— Bloomberg (@business) August 20, 2026

Player demands produce wider changes

The overall fund includes $2 million for a new player support program. The USTA will hold that money in an independent account until officials finalize the program’s structure. Player representatives had requested $4 million in benefit contributions from each major this year.

Mixed doubles participants will also see better compensation. The champions will continue sharing $1 million, while opening-round teams will receive twice last year’s amount.

All four majors also announced a Grand Slam Player Council, another priority for players seeking greater influence. The group will launch after the US Open and provide a forum for discussing sporting issues and tournament-specific compensation concerns.

Questions remain about whether the tournament has satisfied the players’ revenue-sharing goal. They want majors to devote 16% of revenue to prize money now, rising to 22% by 2030. The USTA has not released its 2025 financial statement, though it plans to publish the report before the main draw.

Player representatives welcomed the “substantial increase” while stressing that the council must become a representative, effective voice on compensation and welfare.

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