This year’s US Open purse is $18 million larger than 2025’s payout, breaking another record in tennis history
Credit: Jean Catuffe/Getty; Elsa/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- The 2026 US Open has a record-breaking $108 million purse up for grabs
- This year’s US Open prize pool is $18 million larger than 2025’s payout
- Champions of the men’s and women’s singles finals will take home $5,500,000
The 2026 US Open champions will bring home more than a trophy.
While the winners will secure a prestigious title and a replica of the historic trophy, they’ll also go home with some serious fortune. For 2026, the US Open will hand out a record $108 million in prize money, making it the largest purse in tennis history, per Reuters. That’s an $18 million increase from the 2025 US Open’s $90 million purse.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face a challenge from Elena Rybakina in the finals. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz — who won the men’s singles title in 2025 — was defeated by American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals.
Here’s everything to know about the 2026 US Open prize money.
How much will the 2026 US Open winner earn?
Credit: Al Bello/Getty
For the 53rd year, the US Open will continue its tradition of equal pay for men and women in 2026.
The men’s and women’s singles champions will earn $5.5 million each — nearly double the amount awarded to the runners-up, who will receive $2.8 million each.
How much will the other 2026 US Open participants make?
Credit: Al Bello/Getty
The prize money extends far beyond the winners for the singles events. Even those who only advance to the first round of the main draw pocket six figures. Here’s a breakdown of the earnings for singles players at various stages of the 2026 US Open:
- First round: $140,000
- Second round: $190,000
- Third round: $290,000
- Round of 16: $480,000
- Quarterfinals: $780,000
- Semifinals: $1,450,000
- Runner-up: $2,800,000
- Winner: $5,500,000
Doubles teams are also vying for significant rewards. The champions in both men’s and women’s doubles will take home $1,000,000 per team.
On Aug. 26, Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik won the mixed doubles title against Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli, taking home the $1 million prize.
Here’s a breakdown of the prize money across different categories and rounds:
Doubles (per team):
- First round: $35,000
- Second round: $50,000
- Third round: $80,000
- Quarterfinals: $125,000
- Semifinals: $250,000
- Runner-up: $500,000
- Winner: $1,000,000
Mixed Doubles (per team):
- Round of 16: $40,000
- Quarterfinals: $120,000
- Semifinals: $250,000
- Runner-up: $500,000
- Winner: $1,000,000
How much have US Open winners won in years past?
Credit: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty
The prize money at the US Open has seen considerable growth over the years. The US Open’s prize pool has expanded dramatically and more than tripled since 2010, has increased fivefold since 2000 and nearly 20-fold since 1990, per Statista.
In 2025, the singles champions took home $5 million each, while the runners-up received $2.5 million.
In 2024, the singles champions earned $3.6 million each and the runners-up got $1.8 million. The 2025 increase marked a 20% jump in prize money.
What tennis tournament has the highest payout?
Credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty
Thanks to the US Open’s $108 million purse in 2026, the New York tournament currently holds the title for the highest payout in tennis. The other Grand Slam tournaments — Wimbledon, the French Open and the Australian Open — offer substantial prize money as well, but none have reached the US Open’s level.
Wimbledon, traditionally seen as the most prestigious tournament, offered a total prize pool of around $86.72 million (64.2 million GBP) in 2026, while the French Open offered about $71.3 million (61.7 million EUR) and the Australian Open offered $74.9 million ($111.5 million AUD).
Read the full article here
