WTA announces landmark prize money change as major 2027 overhaul confirmed

Friday, 02 October 2026 at 02:30

The WTA has announced a landmark change to its prize money structure, confirming that every combined WTA 1000 tournament will award equal prize money to women and men from the 2027 season. The Italian Open, Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open will join Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing in offering identical total prize money across their women's and men's events.

The move represents the completion of a major step in the WTA's push for financial equality and comes nearly six decades after Billie Jean King won the Italian Open in Rome in 1969. From 2027, the Foro Italico tournament will finally offer women the same total prize money as men, bringing every combined event in the WTA 1000 category into line.

But equal prize money is not the only significant change coming to the women's tour. The WTA has also agreed to reduce the number of mandatory WTA 500 tournaments for Top 50 players from six to four, while allowing players to replace one eligible WTA 1000 result with a stronger result from a WTA 500 or WTA 250 tournament.

The changes were developed through the Tour Architecture Council, a working group bringing together players, tournaments and WTA leadership and chaired by world No. 3 Jessica Pegula. The adjustments will initially be introduced as a one-year pilot in 2027, with the WTA set to evaluate their impact before determining the structure for 2028 and beyond.

WTA Council helps shape new calendar

The reduction in mandatory commitments addresses one of the central concerns surrounding the modern WTA calendar: the increasing number of long tournaments and the demands placed on players who go deep in them. Several WTA 1000 events now run over two weeks, adding further pressure to an already crowded schedule.

"As players, we're on the road most of the year, so having more flexibility in our schedules and commitments makes a real difference," world No. 3 Jessica Pegula said in a video posted by the WTA. "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."

Jessica Pegula is champion of 4 WTA 1000 titles.

Pegula had previously discussed the issue of mandatory tournaments, pointing to the difficulty of fitting additional events around increasingly long WTA 1000 tournaments. "I think what's also changed is just having these two-week events," she said. "Now, all of a sudden, it's a little bit harder when you do well at a two-week event, not just a slam, but all these other events that become so much longer, to now have to play all these 500s."

The WTA's changes therefore attempt to give players more control over their schedules without removing the mandatory structure entirely. The new ranking provision will also allow a stronger WTA 500 or WTA 250 result to replace one eligible WTA 1000 result, potentially giving players greater freedom to build their seasons around tournaments that suit their individual schedules.

Read also

The financial change remains the headline milestone. Rome, Montreal/Toronto and Cincinnati will join Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing, while the United Cup and all four Grand Slams already offer equal prize money to women and men.

"Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis," WTA chair Valerie Camillo said. "It demonstrates the WTA's continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality."

The 2027 calendar will feature 55 tournaments across 26 countries and territories, including a new WTA 250 in Manila. The season-ending WTA Finals will also move to Charlotte, North Carolina, beginning a new three-year run in the city.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

More than half of the Laver Cup field is already out in Beijing and Tokyo

“Take care of your self first”: Martina Navratilova stands behind Emma Navarro