All WTA 1000 tournaments combined will give women equal prize money to men from 2027, the Women’s Tennis Association said on Thursday, with the Italian Open and other major events joining the rest of the category in offering the same payouts.
In 2027 – almost six decades after Billie Jean King won the Italian Open at the Foro Italico – the clay court event in Rome will finally give women the same amount of total prize money as men as part of a “milestone” initiative.
It means all WTA 1000 events combined will award equal prize money for the first time.
The move brings the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and Italian Open into line 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 WTA 1000 tournaments combined is a major milestone for tennis,” said WTA President Valerie Camillo.
“It demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry in providing our athletes with competitive and financial equality and is a testament to the enduring nature of the WTA’s founding vision.”
The 2027 WTA calendar will feature 55 tournaments in 26 countries and territories, while the season-ending WTA Finals will be held in its new home in Charlotte, North Carolina, in an NBA arena for at least three years from 2027.
The Alex Eala effect
Also announced for next year is an expanded WTA 250-level tournament in Manila, Philippines amid massive interest in local player Alex Eala.
The number of annual WTA 500-level tournaments required for players ranked in the top 50 was reduced from six to four, resulting in a total base game commitment of 14 WTA tournaments plus the four Grand Slams in 2027.
“The WTA is growing to offer more to players and tournaments in 2027,” Camillo said. “We’ve listened to player feedback about calendar demands and responded with a significant reduction in commitments.”
The main changes approved by the WTA Board for the 2027 season include:
- Reducing the number of WTA 500-level tournaments to be played by the top 50 singles players in a year from six to four, resulting in a total base game commitment of 14 WTA tournaments plus four Grand Slams in the 2027 tournament season.
- Allowing players to replace an acceptable WTA 1000 tournament score with a stronger WTA 500 or 250 score in their rankings.
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