The final Grand Slam tournament of the 2026 season in New York will go down in tennis history as the most profitable in its long existence. The organizers have approved a record budget for payouts, which significantly exceeds all previous figures. This is reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the official website of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
First in history: the $100 million threshold
The total prize fund for US Open 2026 will reach $108 million. This is 20% more than the previous year, when the sum was $90 million. For the first time in Grand Slam history, the total prize money will exceed the psychologically important mark of $100 million, highlighting the continued growth of tennis's commercial potential and its appeal to sponsors and TV viewers worldwide.
How much winners and underdogs will receive
Winners of the men's and women's singles will add $5.5 million each to their bank accounts — 10% more than in 2025. Substantial sums will also go to those who make it only to the first round of the main draw: players will earn $140,000 just for stepping onto the court, which is 27% more than last year's payouts. In doubles, the triumphant duo will split $1 million between them, while the finalists will take home $500,000.
Growth in qualification payouts
Payouts have also increased in the qualifying tournament: players eliminated in the first round of qualifying will receive $32,000, those reaching the second round will get $48,000, and the qualifying final will award $66,000. This structure encourages young and lower-ranked players to fight for a spot in the main draw, receiving decent financial compensation even at the early stages.
Timeline and defending champions
The main draw of the tournament in New York will start on August 30 and run until September 13, 2026. The defending US Open champions are Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, who is competing in neutral status; they will have to defend their titles on the American tournament's home courts.
Ukrainian team at US Open 2026
Ukraine will be represented in the main draw by seven female tennis players: Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Oleksandra Oliynykova, Daria Snigur, Yuliia Starodubtseva, Angelina Kalinina, and Dayana Yastremska. Four more Ukrainian players — Vitaliy Sachko, Veronika Podrez, Anastasia Soboleva, and Katarina Zavatska — will try to make it to the main draw through the qualifying rounds. Of particular note is the news that Svitolina and Gael Monfils have received a special opportunity at US Open 2026 and will play together in doubles for the first time.
