US Open announces record $108 million prize purse and $5.5 million singles winner payouts

The US Open is serving up a record $108 Million prize purse after years of players rallying for more money. Bloomberg's Shaquille Omari breaks down how much winners will take home this year. (Source: Bloomberg)

The US Open 2026 is set to deliver another blockbuster fortnight of Grand Slam tennis, with the season’s final major scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The tournament has already generated plenty of buzz, with defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka returning to Flushing Meadows with their eyes on another title. The 2026 edition will also feature a record prize purse of $108 million, making it one of the richest tournaments in tennis history.The men’s singles draw has become particularly intriguing following Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal and Carlos Alcaraz’s return from a lengthy wrist-injury layoff. Alexander Zverev enters the tournament as the top seed after winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Alcaraz is seeded second. Alcaraz, who has not played a singles match since April, begins his title defence against Roman Safiullin and has been placed in a demanding half of the draw alongside Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic, meanwhile, is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and starts against Mariano Navone.Introducing the 2026 US Open theme art celebrating our New York story! pic.twitter.com/b8AwQXCfyl— US Open Tennis (@usopen) May 15, 2026 On the women’s side, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will headline the field as she attempts to win the US Open for a third consecutive year. The Belarusian begins her campaign against Camila Osorio but faces a potentially difficult route towards the final. Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka are among the leading contenders capable of challenging Sabalenka. Her title defence comes amid questions over her recent form, making this year's women's competition particularly unpredictable.The tournament will run through September 13, with the opening four rounds scheduled from August 30 to September 7, followed by the quarter-finals on September 8 and 9. The women’s singles semi-finals will be played on September 10, the men’s semi-finals on September 11, before the women’s final on September 12 and men’s final on September 13. Live StreamingFans in India will be able to follow the tournament through Star Sports Network, while the tournament will also be available for online streaming on JioHotstar.Prize MoneyThere is also a major financial incentive awaiting the stars in New York. The total prize pool has increased to a record $108 million, up significantly from the previous edition, while the men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $5.5 million. With Alcaraz looking to make a statement on his comeback, Sabalenka chasing history and Djokovic targeting another record, the 2026 US Open promises to be one of the most closely watched Grand Slams of the year.

US Open players will earn more than 20% than they did last year with the 2026 record-breaking purse. In addition, the US Open continues to significantly outperform the other Grand Slams in distribution of player earnings.

The U.S. Open singles champions will earn $5.5 million, the highest winnings in Grand Slam tennis history. Overall compensation for the final major of the year is rising…

The U.S. Open singles champions will earn $5.5 million (approx. Rs 52.66 crore), the highest winnings in Grand Slam tennis history.

The US Open will offer the biggest prize fund in Grand Slam history with a total of $108 million (£79.2m) on offer - marking a 20% increase on last year.

The US Open purse will top $100 million for the first time, a 20% increase on last year's $85 million that the US Tennis Association no doubt hopes will quiet the kind of protests over player compensation that erupted at the French Open and Wimbledon.Top players, including world number ones Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, limited their availability to media before the French Open and Wimbledon in protest of perceived low prize money.

The 2026 US Open will offer a record $108 million in player compensation. Singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, a significant increase from previous years. Even first-round losers will earn a record $140,000, reflecting broader prize money hikes. A new player support program and a Grand Slam Player Council were also announced. This initiative aims to strengthen financial support and player involvement in tournament decisions.

Total prize pool for tournament will be $108mPlayers guaranteed $140,000 for making first roundThe 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...

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.