The 2026 US Open has announced a record $108 million total prize money for players, marking a 20% increase from the previous year's $90 million. The singles champions for both men and women will each earn $5.5 million, up from $5 million last year. This significant raise comes ahead of the tournament, which starts August 30, and follows threats of player protests over compensation and welfare issues, including those seen at the French Open earlier this year.

In tandem with the prize increase, the US Open and the other Grand Slam tournaments formed a new Grand Slam Player Advisory Council, aiming to give players greater influence in tournament decisions. Additionally, the USTA committed $2 million to a player welfare fund focused on supporting athletes’ financial security, including pension plans. These moves address key requests from top ATP and WTA players who seek a larger share of Grand Slam revenues and increased resources for career longevity.

Players currently receive about 15% of Grand Slam event revenues, with a goal to reach 22% by 2030. While detailed revenue figures for the 2026 US Open are not yet disclosed, the new prize money allocation is roughly 19.3% of the $559.7 million operating revenue reported in 2024. The player support funding complements existing prize money, covering additional expenses such as travel and accommodation, although those amounts were not fully specified for 2026.

USTA CEO Craig Tiley framed these developments as the start of a multi-year commitment to enhancing player opportunities and engagement. Players welcomed the improvements as positive steps forward, helping to ease tensions following the earlier coordinated protests at Roland-Garros. However, players remain vigilant, with figures like Jessica Pegula noting that momentum toward protest depends on further actions and transparency around player compensation and governance.