MELBOURNE, Australia — Gamers at this 12 months’s Australian Open will compete for a share of a file A$111.5 million (US$74.9 million) prize pool after Tennis Australia introduced a 16% enhance in prize cash for 2026.
The winner will take residence AU$4.15 million (US$2.79 million), a 19% enhance from final 12 months’s AU$3.5 million (US$2.35 million), however there has additionally been a major soar within the early rounds, with a first-round elimination taking residence a file AU$150,000 (US$100,750). This implies wildcard individuals are assured a handy cost packet to start out their 12 months on tour.
Salaries for qualifiers have additionally elevated, with these eradicated in any of the three rounds incomes an extra 16% in comparison with final 12 months.
Final 12 months’s whole prize cash amounted to AU$96.5 million (US$64.81 million).
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley stated in an announcement that the rise demonstrated the match’s dedication to not simply the superstars of the game, but in addition gamers new to the tour and people who might wrestle financially all through the season.
“This 16% enhance demonstrates our dedication to supporting tennis careers in any respect ranges,” Tiley stated.
“From 2023 onwards, from a 55% enhance in qualifying prize cash to enhanced participant advantages, we are going to make sure that skilled tennis is sustainable for all opponents.”
He stated the prize pool was a part of Tennis Australia’s wider dedication to fund different occasions all through the Australian summer time, with a complete of A$135 million (US$90.7 million) being “invested” throughout the Swing Down Underneath, together with tournaments such because the United Cup and 250 occasions in Brisbane, Hobart and Adelaide.
“This funding strengthens the foundations of tennis and ensures the long-term well being and business development of the game,” he stated. “By supporting gamers in any respect ranges, we’re constructing a deeper expertise pool and extra compelling storylines for our followers.”
2026 Australian Open qualifying begins on Monday twelfth January, with the principle occasion beginning on Sunday 18th January and ending on Sunday 1st February.
2026 Australian Open males’s and girls’s singles prize cash breakdown (AUD):
winner: $4.15 million (+19%)
runner-up: $2.15 million (+13%)
Semi-finalists: $1.25 million (+14%)
Quarterfinalists: $750,000 (+13%)
Spherical 4: $480,000 (+14%)
Spherical 3: $327.75,000 (+13%)
Spherical 2: $225,000 (+13%)
Spherical 1: $150,000 (+14%)
Qualifying by spherical:
Q1: $40,500 (+16%)
Q2: $57,000 (+16%)
Q3: $83.5,000 (+16%)
