US Open
The US Open pays the biggest prize money in tennis. The USTA has not yet confirmed the 2026 purse; that announcement traditionally lands in mid-August. In 2025 the total hit an all-time record of $90 million, up 20% year on year, with $5 million each for the singles champions. Here is the full breakdown, what 2026 is likely to look like, and how New York compares to the other Grand Slams.
US Open 2026: Total Prize Money
As of late July 2026 the official 2026 figure is not yet announced. Beware early reports circulating a “$95 million” number. They simply reuse 2025’s round-by-round figures and do not trace to any USTA release. What we know:
| Year | Total purse | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBC — expected mid-August | – |
| 2025 | $90,000,000 | +20% |
| 2024 | $75,000,000 | +15% |
| 2023 | $65,000,000 | +8% |
The 2025 purse was the largest in tennis history, and the USTA has increased prize money every year since 2020. Another rise in 2026 is close to certain; this page will be updated the moment the USTA confirms the numbers.
Singles Prize Money Breakdown (2025 actuals)
Men and women are paid equally at the US Open. It was the first Grand Slam to introduce equal prize money, back in 1973. The 2025 round-by-round singles payouts:
| Round | Prize money (per player) |
|---|---|
| Champion | $5,000,000 |
| Runner-up | $2,500,000 |
| Semi-finalist | $1,260,000 |
| Quarter-finalist | $660,000 |
| Round of 16 | $400,000 |
| Round of 32 | $237,000 |
| Round of 64 | $154,000 |
| First round | $110,000 |
A first-round loser in New York earned more in 2025 than the champion takes home at many tour-level events. That is one reason US Open qualifying is the most fiercely contested of the year.
Qualifying and Doubles
| Category | 2025 payout |
|---|---|
| Qualifying — final round | $57,200 |
| Qualifying — 2nd round | $41,800 |
| Qualifying — 1st round | $27,500 |
| Doubles champions (per team) | $1,000,000 |
| Doubles runners-up (per team) | $500,000 |
The total qualifying pool alone was over $8 million in 2025. Qualifying for 2026 runs from 24–27 August at Flushing Meadows.
How the US Open Compares to the Other Grand Slams
| Grand Slam | Total purse | Singles champion |
|---|---|---|
| US Open (2025) | $90.0m | $5.0m |
| French Open (2026) | €56.35m | €2.55m |
| Wimbledon (2025) | £53.5m | £3.0m |
| Australian Open (2025) | A$96.5m | A$3.5m |
Figures are each event’s most recent confirmed edition. Currency swings shift the exact ordering, but the US Open’s champion’s cheque of $5 million in 2025 is comfortably the largest single payout in the sport. For the Paris numbers in full, see our French Open 2026 prize money breakdown.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 purse is unconfirmed until the USTA’s traditional mid-August announcement; 2025’s $90m is the working baseline.
- The US Open champion’s $5m cheque is the biggest single prize in tennis.
- Equal pay since 1973 — half a century before some rivals matched it.
- Even a first-round exit paid $110,000 in 2025.
How to Watch the US Open in the UK
The US Open is live exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with NOW memberships as the no-contract alternative. bet365 streams selected matches for funded accounts. See our bet365 tennis offer, the US Open live stream guide and our best tennis betting sites rankings.
FAQ
US Open Prize Money FAQs
How much does the US Open 2026 winner get?
The 2026 figure is not yet announced. In 2025 the singles champions — Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka — each earned $5,000,000, the largest winner’s cheque in tennis.
When will 2026 US Open prize money be announced?
The USTA traditionally confirms the purse in mid-August, roughly two weeks before the tournament. This page will be updated as soon as the official numbers land.
Do men and women earn the same at the US Open?
Yes — the US Open has paid men and women equally since 1973, the first Grand Slam to do so.
How much does a first-round loser earn at the US Open?
$110,000 in 2025 — more than the champion’s prize at many smaller tour events. Qualifiers who fall in the first round of qualifying still took home $27,500.