All of the combined WTA 1000 tournaments will award women equal prize money to men from 2027, the Women’s Tennis Association announced on Thursday.
In 2027 – nearly 60 years after Billie Jean King won the Italian Open at the Foro Italico – the Roman clay court will finally award women the same prize money as men as part of a “main stage” initiative.
This means that all combined WTA 1000 events will award equal prize money for the first time.
The move aligns the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and Italian Open with other combined 1000-level events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and China, as well as the United Cup and four Grand Slams, offering equal prize money for women and men.
“Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis,” said WTA Chairman Valerie Camillo.
“This demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry to ensure competitive and financial equality for our athletes and is a testament to the enduring nature of the WTA’s core vision.”
The 2027 WTA calendar will feature 55 tournaments in 26 countries and territories, while the season-ending WTA Finals will be held at the NBA arena in its new home in Charlotte, North Carolina for at least three years from 2027.
The Alex Eala effect
An expanded WTA 250-level tournament has been announced for next year in Manila, Philippines, with a lot of interest surrounding home player Alex Eala.
The number of annual WTA 500-level tournaments required for players ranked in the top 50 has been reduced from six to four, resulting in a total major play commitment of 14 WTA tournaments and four Grand Slams in 2027.
“The WTA is stepping up to deliver more for players and tournaments in 2027,” Camillo said. “We have listened to players’ feedback about the demands of the calendar and responded with a significant reduction in commitments.”
Key changes approved by the WTA Board of Directors for the 2027 season include:
- A reduction from six to four in the number of WTA 500-level tournaments that the top 50 ranked singles players will play during the year, resulting in a total main draw commitment of 14 WTA tournaments and four Grand Slams in the 2027 Tour season.
- Allowing players to substitute one eligible WTA 1000 tournament result for a stronger WTA 500 or 250 result in their ranking.
NOW streaming tennis without a contract and the Sky Sports App. You can watch the WTA/ATP China Open and ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters live on Sky Sports.