WTA Announces Equal Prize Money for All Combined 1,000 Events by 2027
- "Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1,000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis," said WTA chair Valerie Camillo.
- The move brings the final remaining combined 1,000 events into alignment with the four Grand Slams and existing equal-pay tournaments in Miami, Madrid, Beijing, and Indian Wells.
- The change follows a period of inconsistency at some venues.
"Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1,000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis," said WTA chair Valerie Camillo. The Women’s Tennis Association announced that all combined 1,000-level events will award equal prize money to men and women starting in 2027, BBC Sport reported.
The move brings the final remaining combined 1,000 events into alignment with the four Grand Slams and existing equal-pay tournaments in Miami, Madrid, Beijing, and Indian Wells. The Italian Open, Canadian Open, and Cincinnati Open will now meet this commitment, according to the WTA.
The change follows a period of inconsistency at some venues. BBC Sport noted that organizers of the Italian Open had previously pledged to implement equal prize money by 2025 but did not meet that goal. In 2024, the men’s prize money in Rome totaled £7.3m, while the women received £6.3m.
To support this transition and other strategic goals, the WTA is launching a Tournament Investment Fund. According to wtatennis.com, this fund is modeled after central funding systems used in other professional sports leagues and will provide targeted financial support to specific markets to help them achieve equal prize money.
Scheduling changes for top-ranked players
The WTA is also modifying its 2027 calendar to reduce the physical and professional demands on athletes. These changes were developed by the Tour Architecture Council, a working group chaired by world number three Jessica Pegula that includes players, tournament organizers, and WTA leadership, wtatennis.com reported.
One primary adjustment reduces the number of WTA 500-level tournaments that players ranked in the top 50 are mandated to play, dropping the requirement from six events to four. Players will now be permitted to replace one eligible WTA 1,000 tournament result on their ranking with a stronger result from a WTA 500 or 250 event.
Valerie Camillo stated that the organization responded to player feedback regarding the demands of the calendar with a meaningful reduction in commitments.
WTA Tour expands to 55 events across 26 countries
The 2027 WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz will consist of 55 events across 26 countries and territories, according to wtatennis.com. This expansion includes a new WTA 250 tournament in Manila, Philippines.
The season will conclude with the WTA Finals, which will move to a new home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jessica Pegula described the scheduling updates as an impactful step forward for the athletes.
The 2027 changes give us more ability to build our seasons around our own goals – competitively and personally.
Jessica Pegula