The 2026 US Open announced a total player compensation package of $108 million, 20% more than the record $90 million offered in 2025. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, while every player who loses in the first round of the singles main draw receives $140,000.
The 2026 tournament was still in progress when this breakdown was updated, but the published payments do not depend on which players eventually fill each round. All figures below are in U.S. dollars and should be rechecked when a new edition of the tournament begins.
2026 US Open Singles Prize Money by Round
Men and women receive the same singles payment at every stage. The amount is paid per player.
| Result | Prize money per player |
|---|---|
| Champion | $5,500,000 |
| Finalist | $2,800,000 |
| Semifinal | $1,450,000 |
| Quarterfinal | $780,000 |
| Round of 16 | $480,000 |
| Round of 32 | $290,000 |
| Round of 64 | $190,000 |
| Round of 128 | $140,000 |
The Round of 128 amount applies to a player who competes in the main draw and loses the opening match. It does not matter whether that player entered through direct acceptance, a wild card, qualifying or a lucky-loser place.
The winner’s $5.5 million payment is not added to the amounts listed for earlier rounds. Prize tables show the total payment for the final stage a player reaches. The complete US Open tennis guide explains how the 128-player draw progresses from the first round to the final.
2026 US Open Qualifying Prize Money
The men’s and women’s singles qualifying draws also use equal payments. A player must win three qualifying matches to earn one of 16 places in the corresponding main draw.
| Finishing stage | Prize money per player |
|---|---|
| Final qualifying round loss | $66,000 |
| Second qualifying round loss | $48,000 |
| First qualifying round loss | $32,000 |
A player who wins the final qualifying round does not receive $66,000 and then add the main-draw payment on top. The qualifier moves into the main prize table. If that player loses in the main-draw first round, the finishing payment is $140,000.
The increase at the bottom of the structure matters because many players near the qualifying cutoff operate without the sponsorship and support available to leading stars. The broader article on how tennis players make money explains why prize money is only one part of a professional player’s finances.
2026 Men’s and Women’s Doubles Prize Money
Men’s and women’s doubles use the same prize structure. Unlike singles, each listed amount is paid per team, not to each individual player.
| Result | Prize money per team |
|---|---|
| Champions | $1,000,000 |
| Finalists | $500,000 |
| Semifinal | $250,000 |
| Quarterfinal | $125,000 |
| Round of 16 | $80,000 |
| Round of 32 | $50,000 |
| First round | $35,000 |
If two partners divide a team payment equally, a championship payment of $1 million would amount to $500,000 per player before taxes, expenses or private agreements. The official tournament payment is still recorded as $1 million to the team.
Doubles has its own draw and match structure rather than being an extension of singles. The rules of tennis doubles explain the court, serving order and scoring differences.
2026 Mixed Doubles Prize Money
The 2026 mixed doubles competition used a 16-team main draw plus an eight-team qualifying event. The listed amounts are per team.
| Result | Prize money per team |
|---|---|
| Champions | $1,000,000 |
| Finalists | $500,000 |
| Semifinal | $250,000 |
| Quarterfinal | $120,000 |
| First round | $40,000 |
| Final qualifying round loss | $20,000 |
| First qualifying round loss | $10,000 |
The mixed champions therefore receive the same team payment as the men’s and women’s doubles champions. The format and schedule are different, so the round names do not line up perfectly with the 64-team men’s and women’s doubles draws.
What Does the $108 Million Total Include?
The $108 million headline is the total 2026 player compensation package, not simply the sum of the men’s and women’s singles tables. It covers prize money across the professional events and a wider group of player benefits and support.
The 2026 package introduced a Player Support Program with an initial $2 million commitment, split equally between men’s and women’s players. The announced program was designed for eligible main-draw singles and doubles competitors, with details to be developed with input from the new Grand Slam Player Council.
This distinction matters when comparing tournament headlines. One source may describe total compensation, while another may isolate the main singles purse or a particular event. The numbers are only comparable when they measure the same categories.
How 2026 Prize Money Compares With Recent US Opens
| Year | Total player compensation | Singles champion | Singles first round | Qualifying first round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $75,000,000 | $3,600,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 |
| 2025 | $90,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $110,000 | $27,500 |
| 2026 | $108,000,000 | $5,500,000 | $140,000 | $32,000 |
Total compensation rose by 20% in both 2025 and 2026. Over the two-year period from 2024 to 2026, it increased from $75 million to $108 million, a 44% rise.
The singles championship payment increased by more than the first-round payment between 2024 and 2025. In 2026, the largest percentage increase among the two headline singles figures went to the first round, which rose from $110,000 to $140,000.
Prize-money changes are part of the tournament’s longer development, alongside venue moves, surface changes and scheduling reforms. Those milestones are covered in the US Open history and records guide.
Do Men and Women Receive Equal US Open Prize Money?
Yes. The US Open pays equal prize money to men and women in the equivalent singles, doubles and qualifying stages.
The tournament became the first Grand Slam to offer equal prize money to men and women in 1973. Billie Jean King had publicly challenged the previous disparity after earning $10,000 for the 1972 women’s title while men’s champion Ilie Nastase received $25,000. In 1973, both singles champions earned $25,000.
The 2026 singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, regardless of whether the winner comes from the men’s or women’s draw.
Is Prize Money the Same as Ranking Points?
No. Prize money is a financial payment from the tournament, while ranking points affect a player’s position on the ATP or WTA list.
Two rounds can carry the same prize money for men and women while awarding different intermediate ranking points under the ATP and WTA systems. Both singles champions receive 2,000 ranking points, but some earlier-round allocations differ between the tours.
The article on how tennis rankings work explains how new points and expiring results affect a player’s total. A high payment does not create extra ranking points beyond those assigned to the result.
How Much Do Players Actually Keep?
The listed figure is not necessarily the player’s final take-home income. Taxes, coaching fees, agent agreements, travel, fitness support and other professional expenses may reduce what remains.
The impact differs from player to player. A leading professional may employ a full-time team, while a lower-ranked player may travel with one coach or work with support staff only at selected events. International players can also have different tax obligations depending on residence and applicable treaties.
That cost structure is one reason early-round and qualifying increases receive attention. Reaching the tour level requires substantial spending before a player knows what any particular event will return. The guide to becoming a professional tennis player describes the competitive path behind those appearances.
Why US Open Prize Money Changes Every Year
Tournament revenue, ticket demand, broadcasting agreements, player negotiations, inflation and strategic decisions can all affect the annual package. Organizers may also choose to direct increases toward champions, early-round players, doubles, qualifying or support programs in different proportions.
That means an article using a previous year’s table becomes inaccurate even if the tournament format stays the same. The event name can also create confusion with the golf championship, so any prize comparison should specify the US Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows.
The US Open is one of several event levels within professional tennis. This overview of tennis tournament types explains how Grand Slams differ from ATP, WTA, Challenger and ITF events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 2026 US Open singles winner receive?
The men’s and women’s singles champions each receive $5.5 million.
How much does a first-round main-draw player receive?
A player who loses in the 2026 singles Round of 128 receives $140,000.
How much does a US Open qualifier receive?
A player who loses in the first qualifying round receives $32,000, while a final-round qualifying loss pays $66,000. A player who qualifies and loses in the main-draw first round receives $140,000.
Is doubles prize money paid to each player?
No. The men’s, women’s and mixed doubles figures are listed per team. The headline amount covers both players rather than being paid to each partner separately.
Does a player add every round’s payment together?
No. The table lists the payment for the final round reached. A semifinalist receives the semifinal amount, not the combined total of every earlier round.