2026 US Open will award record-breaking prize money

The US Open will reward its tennis players with the biggest prize money portfolio in Grand Slam tennis. $108 million will be distributed.

Prize money is a hot button for players, most notably the earnings for winning qualifying and early round matches. It is well documented that players outside the Top 100 in WTA or ATP rankings can struggle financially. They cannot afford to pay the coaches and specialists they need to improve their game. This does not factor in travel expenses to participate in worldwide tour-level events.

An example of exponential earnings growth happened this year for French Open qualifier Maja Chwalinska who advanced to the finals. In six years on the WTA Tour, she earned $864,000; whereas at Roland Garros this year she earned $1.8 million. Success at one Grand Slam tournament where the prize money is the biggest, for a lower ranked player, can be life changing.

MORE: Coco Gauff roasts American men’s tennis stars after advancing to Cincinnati Open final

Players losing in the first US Open qualifying round will receive $32,000. That is a 16% increase over last year.

First round (Round of 128) main draw participants will receive $140,000, up 27% from last year and the highest amount at this level in Grand Slam history.

Sep 2, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Taylor Townsend of the United States and Katerina Siniakova of Czech Republic in action against Venus Williams of the United States and Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the quarterfinal of the women’s doubles at the US Open at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles champion teams will split a $1 million purse.

Singles champions (men and women) will earn $5.5 million.

MORE: 2026 US Open mixed doubles is a confusing mess

Australian Open total prize money was $79.9 million (USD).

French Open purse was $72 million (USD).

Wimbledon was $86.1 million (USD).

Everything is truly bigger in New York with the $108 million purse in comparison.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —