Overview
- The USTA confirmed on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, that the US Open will distribute $108 million in prize money, a 20% jump from 2025 and a 44% rise over two years.
- Each singles champion will receive $5.5 million, first‑round losers in the main draw will get $140,000, and winning doubles teams will share $1 million per team.
- The four Grand Slams have created a Grand Slam Players Council and USTA chief Craig Tiley framed the payment increases as part of a new platform for ongoing player collaboration.
- Organizers announced the prize changes just days before the tournament opens and the rollout has drawn fresh attention to steep ticket prices, with a Ground Pass listed at $363 for opening day and some Arthur Ashe seats offered as high as $2,104.
- The changes could ease recent player protests over pay and set a new benchmark for Grand Slam payouts, while the tournament — with qualifying from Aug. 24–27 and the main draw from Aug. 23–Sept. 13, 2026 — faces heightened scrutiny about who benefits from rising revenues.