WTA to introduce equal prize money at all combined WTA 1,000 events from next year

The Women’s Tennis Association has announced that, from next year, men and women will receive equal prize money at all combined WTA 1,000 tournaments, the organisation said. The move brings three further combined events into parity alongside tournaments that already met the commitment.

The WTA, formed in 1973, said events at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing, as well as all four Grand Slams, already offered equal pay. The Italian Open, the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open will now also provide equal prize money at combined 1,000-level events. In 2023, organisers of the Italian Open had pledged equal prize money from 2025 but did not follow through on that pledge.

Organisers in Rome awarded total men’s prize money of £7.3m this year while the women received £6.3m, figures the WTA highlighted when announcing the change. The association framed the adjustments as the completion of its long-standing aim for parity at combined elite events.

WTA chair Valerie Camillo said: "Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1,000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis," said WTA chair Valerie Camillo. "It demonstrates the WTA's continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality and is a testament to the enduring nature of the founding vision of the WTA."

The WTA also announced alterations to the calendar intended to reduce player commitments. The number of WTA 500-level tournaments that players ranked inside the top 50 must play will be cut from six to four, and players will be permitted to replace one eligible WTA 1,000 tournament result with a stronger WTA 500 or 250 result on their ranking.

Camillo added: "We have listened to player feedback on the demands of the calendar, and responded with a meaningful reduction in commitments," said Camillo. American world number three Jessica Pegula said: "The 2027 changes give us more ability to build our seasons around our own goals - competitively and personally. "That's an impactful step forward for players."

The equal-prize-money policy takes effect from next year, and the calendar adjustments are referenced by players as 2027 changes, setting clear timelines for the two measures announced by the WTA.