The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced on Thursday that, beginning in 2027, every combined WTA 1000 tournament will award identical prize money to female and male competitors. This decision brings the Italian Open, along with other marquee events, into alignment with the rest of the elite 1000‑level calendar, ensuring that the total financial rewards for women match those for men.
The change marks a historic moment for the sport. Nearly sixty years after Billie Jean King lifted the trophy at the Italian Open held at Rome’s iconic Foro Italico, the tournament will finally distribute the same overall purse to its women’s draw as it does to the men’s side. The WTA has framed this as a "major milestone" in its ongoing pursuit of gender parity in professional tennis.
With the 2027 season, all combined WTA 1000 stops—events that feature both men’s and women’s competitions—will be on equal footing financially for the first time. This brings the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open, and the Italian Open into step with the other combined 1000‑level stops that already practice pay equity, such as Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and the China Open. The United Cup and the four Grand Slam championships have also been offering equal prize money for several years, so the new policy completes the picture across the sport’s most prestigious fixtures. "Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis," said Valerie Camillo, chair of the WTA.
"It demonstrates the WTA's continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality and is a testament to the enduring nature of the founding vision of the WTA." The 2027 WTA schedule will be expansive, featuring 55 tournaments spread across 26 nations and territories. The season‑ending WTA Finals will relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they will be staged in an NBA arena for at least three years starting in 2027, providing a high‑profile venue for the sport’s climax.
In addition to the prize‑money overhaul, the WTA unveiled several other adjustments aimed at easing the demands on players. An expanded WTA 250‑level event will debut in Manila, Philippines, capitalising on the surge of local interest generated by home‑grown talent Alex Eala. Meanwhile, the mandatory number of WTA 500‑level tournaments for players ranked inside the top 50 will be trimmed from six to four.
This reduction lowers the baseline commitment to 14 WTA events plus the four Grand Slams for the 2027 calendar, a move Camillo described as a direct response to player feedback regarding the grueling nature of the tour. "The WTA is stepping up to deliver more for players and tournaments in 2027," Camillo added. "We have listened to player feedback on the demands of the calendar and responded with a meaningful reduction in commitments." Key reforms approved by the WTA Board for the 2027 season include: * A streamlined streaming arrangement that removes contractual obligations on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports App, making it easier for fans worldwide to access live action.
* Continued live coverage of the WTA/ATP China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters via Sky Sports, ensuring that high‑profile events remain widely available. The decision to equalise prize money at the combined 1000‑level tournaments is part of a broader trend toward gender parity in professional sports. Tennis has long been a leader in this area; the four Grand Slams—Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open—implemented equal prize money for men and women between 2001 and 2007.
By extending that principle to the WTA 1000 tier, the sport is closing the last major financial gap that existed at the elite level. Beyond the symbolic significance, equal prize money has practical implications for players' livelihoods. Female athletes often face a shorter career span and fewer endorsement opportunities compared to their male counterparts.
Matching the prize pools helps to narrow the earnings disparity and provides women with greater financial stability, which can translate into longer, more competitive careers. The move also sends a powerful message to younger athletes and fans about the sport’s commitment to fairness.
As tennis continues to grow globally, especially in emerging markets like the Philippines, showcasing a level playing field can inspire the next generation of players, regardless of gender. In summary, the WTA’s 2027 agenda introduces equal prize money for all combined WTA 1000 events, expands the tour’s geographic reach, reduces mandatory tournament commitments for top‑ranked players, and modernises broadcasting options.
These steps collectively reinforce tennis’s position at the forefront of gender equality in sport while also addressing practical concerns of player workload and fan accessibility. The upcoming seasons promise a more inclusive, balanced, and globally resonant tennis landscape.