2026 US Open champions to earn record $5.5 million
The 2026 U.S. Open organizing committee has announced a record prize pool for the year’s final Grand Slam.
The total prize pool for the New York major stands at $108 million, 20% higher than the previous record of $90 million set at the 2025 U.S. Open.
The men’s and women’s singles champions will each earn $5.5 million, a record in tennis. First-round participants will receive $140,000, 27% more than last year.
All of the above amounts are subject to taxes.
The U.S. Open is an annual Grand Slam tennis tournament played on hard courts and the final of the four Grand Slam tournaments on the calendar.
Traditionally, the U.S. Open, one of the world’s oldest tennis tournaments, begins on the last Monday of August. For the second consecutive year, the tournament will start a week earlier, with the mixed doubles event held ahead of the main draw. The 2026 U.S. Open will run from Aug. 23 to Sept. 13.
The tournament was originally known as the U.S. National Championships and was first held in August 1881. It is the only Grand Slam tournament to have been held every year without interruption, including during the two world wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to its five main events, the tournament also features senior, junior and wheelchair competitions. Since 1978, the tournament has been held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York City.
Revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships and broadcasting contracts is used to support the development of tennis in the U.S.
At last year’s event, Elena Rybakina and Alexander Bublik did not advance beyond the round of 16. Rybakina’s participation in this year’s tournament is uncertain after she was unable to finish her quarterfinal match against Iga Świątek in Cincinnati due to injury.
Kazakhstani junior Zangar Nurlanuly reached the semifinals last year, where he lost to eventual champion Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria. Having turned 18 on July 4, Nurlanuly is still eligible to compete in the 2026 U.S. Open junior event based on his age.
