US Open champions to earn record $5.5 million in prize money
ESPN • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 2:43 PM
Last updated Aug 20, 2026
The U.S. Open, scheduled from August 30 to September 13, 2026, will feature a record total prize pool of $108 million, marking a 20% increase from last year. Singles champions will receive $5.5 million, the highest ever for a Grand Slam event, while all players making the main draw will earn $140,000. The U.S. Tennis Association also announced a new Player Support Program with an initial $2 million commitment aimed at benefiting players across both tours. These financial measures come as part of a broader effort to address player remuneration issues that sparked recent protests at other Grand Slam tournaments.
- •Total player compensation rises to a record $108 million.
- •Singles champions will earn $5.5 million each.
- •First-round singles payout increases to $140,000.
- •New $2 million Player Support Program announced.
- •U.S. Open runs from August 30 to September 13, 2026.
- 4:12 PMESPN — US Open singles champs to earn record $5.5M
- 3:33 PMThe Guardian Sport — US Open singles champions will take home record $5.5m as prize money jumps by 20%
- 2:43 PMYahoo Sports — US Open singles champions to earn a record $5.5 million, total player compensation up 20%
- 2:37 PMYahoo Sports — U.S. Open To Pay Players $108 Million, The Highest Total In Tennis
- 2:31 PMYahoo Sports — U.S. Open prize money surpasses $100M for first time as Grand Slams establish player council
"The U.S. Open will once again be the richest tournament in tennis history. The U.S. Tennis Association, which owns and organizes the fourth Grand Slam of the year, announced a 2026 prize pool of $101 million Thursday. The figure is a 19 percent increase on last year’s $85 million, and has likely staved off the player protests over remuneration that took place at this year’s editions of the French Open and Wimbledon. $101 million is 18 percent of the 2024 U.S. Open’s operating revenue of $559.7 m
"Total prize pool for tournament will be $108m Players guaranteed $140,000 for making first round The US Open singles champions will earn $5.5m, the highest winnings in grand slam tennis history. Overall compensation for the tournament is rising to a record $108m, a 20% increase from last year and a 44% jump since 2024. The financial details were announced on Thursday by the US Tennis Association, with play set to begin next week. Continue reading...
"The U.S. Open singles champions will earn $5.5 million, the highest winnings in Grand Slam tennis history. The financial details were announced Thursday by the U.S. Tennis Association, with play set to begin next week. Players will earn $140,000, largest in tennis history, just for making it into the 128-player singles main draw.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 20, 2026, 4:12 PMUS Open singles champs to earn record $5.5M
Singles champions will earn a record $5.5 million at this year's US Open, with overall player compensation increasing 20% from last year's tournament.
- The Guardian SportAug 20, 2026, 3:33 PMUS Open singles champions will take home record $5.5m as prize money jumps by 20%
Total prize pool for tournament will be $108m Players guaranteed $140,000 for making first round The US Open singles champions will earn $5.5m, the highest winnings in grand slam tennis history. Overall compensation for the tournament is rising to a record $108m, a 20% increase from last year and a 44% jump since 2024. The financial details were announced on Thursday by the US Tennis Association, with play set to begin next week. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsAug 20, 2026, 2:43 PMUS Open singles champions to earn a record $5.5 million, total player compensation up 20%
The U.S. Open singles champions will earn $5.5 million, the highest winnings in Grand Slam tennis history. The financial details were announced Thursday by the U.S. Tennis Association, with play set to begin next week. Players will earn $140,000, largest in tennis history, just for making it into the 128-player singles main draw.
- Yahoo SportsAug 20, 2026, 2:37 PMU.S. Open To Pay Players $108 Million, The Highest Total In Tennis
This represents a 20 percent increase from the previous record set at the 2025 U.S. Open ($90 million) - the second consecutive year of a 20 percent increase.
- Yahoo SportsAug 20, 2026, 2:31 PMU.S. Open prize money surpasses $100M for first time as Grand Slams establish player council
The U.S. Open will once again be the richest tournament in tennis history. The U.S. Tennis Association, which owns and organizes the fourth Grand Slam of the year, announced a 2026 prize pool of $101 million Thursday. The figure is a 19 percent increase on last year’s $85 million, and has likely staved off the player protests over remuneration that took place at this year’s editions of the French Open and Wimbledon. $101 million is 18 percent of the 2024 U.S. Open’s operating revenue of $559.7 m
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