The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has confirmed that, beginning in 2027, every combined WTA 1000 tournament will award identical prize money to female and male competitors. This decision marks a historic step toward financial parity in professional tennis and aligns high‑profile events such as the Italian Open, the Canadian Open, and the Cincinnati Open with the already equal‑pay tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and the Chinese events, as well as with the United Cup and the four Grand Slam championships. The announcement was made on Thursday and highlighted the Italian Open as a symbolic milestone. Nearly sixty years after Billie Jean King captured the title on the historic clay courts of Rome’s Foro Italico, the tournament will, for the first time, allocate the same total purse to its women’s draw as it does to the men’s draw.
This change is being promoted as a "major milestone" within the broader WTA initiative to ensure gender‑based financial equality across the sport. Valerie Camillo, chair of the WTA, emphasized the significance of the move, stating that achieving equal prize money at all combined 1000‑level events represents a watershed moment for tennis. She noted that the decision underscores the WTA’s ongoing dedication to leading the sports industry in providing athletes with both competitive opportunities and equitable financial rewards. Camillo also referenced the founding vision of the WTA, suggesting that the new policy is a testament to the organization’s long‑standing commitment to fairness and inclusion.
The 2027 WTA calendar will be expansive, featuring 55 tournaments spread across 26 countries and territories. In addition to the regular tour stops, the season‑ending WTA Finals will relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they will be hosted in an NBA arena for a minimum of three years beginning in 2027. This move is part of a broader strategy to increase the visibility of women's tennis in new markets and to provide players with state‑of‑the‑art facilities.
Beyond prize‑money parity, the WTA also unveiled several structural adjustments aimed at reducing player workload and enhancing the overall health of the tour. The number of mandatory WTA 500‑level events for players ranked inside the top 50 will be lowered from six to four. Consequently, the baseline playing commitment for elite athletes will consist of 14 WTA tournaments plus the four Grand Slams in the 2027 season.
Camillo explained that these changes reflect direct feedback from players who have called for a more manageable calendar, and that the WTA is responding with a meaningful reduction in required appearances. In addition to the calendar tweaks, the organization announced an expansion of the WTA 250 tier with a new tournament in Manila, Philippines. The decision was driven by growing enthusiasm for local talent, particularly home‑grown star Alex Eala, whose rising profile has sparked considerable interest in bringing a top‑level event to the region.
The Manila stop is expected to boost tennis participation in Southeast Asia and provide a platform for emerging players from the area. Other notable updates for 2027 include a streamlined streaming partnership. Fans will be able to watch matches on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app without the need for a separate contract, ensuring broader accessibility to live tennis content.
This includes coverage of the WTA/ATP China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters, which will be streamed live via Sky Sports. Overall, the 2027 reforms represent a comprehensive effort by the WTA to promote equality, improve player welfare, and expand the sport’s global footprint. By guaranteeing equal prize money at all combined 1000 events, reducing mandatory tournament commitments, and introducing new venues in emerging markets, the association aims to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for professional women's tennis. The changes have been approved by the WTA Board and are set to take effect at the start of the 2027 season, signaling a new era of fairness and opportunity for the sport’s athletes and fans alike.