Wimbledon has increased its total prize money fund by 20 percent to a record £64.2 million ($85.7 million) for the 2026 championship, the All England Club announced on Thursday.
The rise represents an increase of £10.7 million compared to last year’s total of £53.5 million, marking the largest prize pool in the tournament’s history.
Under the new structure, the men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive £3.6 million, while players eliminated in the first round will earn £80,000.
All England Club officials said the increase reflects a continued effort to ensure players across all rounds benefit from the tournament’s commercial success. First-round losers alone will share more than £5 million in total prize money.
Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans announced the figures during a pre-tournament press conference, noting that the adjustment was part of the event’s annual review process.
“For 2026 the prize money fund will be £64.2 million, that is a 20 percent increase on last year,” Jevans said.
She added that the increase allows players “to continue to share in our success,” highlighting that prize distribution covers all stages of the competition.
Reigning champions include Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the men’s singles and Poland’s Iga Świątek in the women’s singles, both of whom will return to defend their titles at this year’s tournament, which begins on June 29 in south-west London.
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions between players and tournament organizers over prize money distribution at major tennis events.
Some top players recently expressed dissatisfaction following the French Open, where prize money rose by 9.5 percent, arguing that player compensation should represent a larger share of tournament revenues—reportedly closer to 22 percent.
Wimbledon officials, however, defended their approach, stating that prize money decisions also take into account investments in facilities, grassroots development, and long-term sustainability of the sport.
Wimbledon CEO Sally Bolton held discussions with players’ representatives in Paris last month, as part of broader engagement on the issue.
Jevans added that there had been ongoing communication with former ATP CEO Larry Scott, who has been acting as a representative for some players.
“We have had dialogue, email exchanges and a meeting in Paris,” she said. “What we have done is right and appropriate.”
The 2026 Wimbledon Championships are expected to draw global attention as both sporting and financial stakes continue to rise.
