The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced on Thursday that, starting in 2027, every combined WTA 1000 event will distribute identical prize money to male and female competitors. This decision places the Italian Open and several other high‑profile tournaments in line with the rest of the category, ensuring that women will receive the same total financial rewards as their male counterparts. The change comes nearly sixty years after Billie Jean King captured the Italian Open title on the historic courts of the Foro Italico.
In 2027, the Rome clay‑court championship will finally match the men’s total purse, marking what the WTA describes as a "major milestone" in the sport’s ongoing push for gender parity. For the first time in the history of the combined WTA 1000 series, all events at this elite level will feature equal prize money.
This alignment brings the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open, and the Italian Open into step with other combined 1000‑level competitions such as Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and the China Open, as well as the United Cup and the four Grand Slam tournaments, all of which already award equal payouts to men and women. "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 calendar 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 a minimum of three years beginning in 2027, providing a larger stage and greater visibility for the sport’s premier event.
In addition to the prize‑money overhaul, the WTA unveiled several other structural adjustments for the upcoming season. An expanded WTA 250‑level tournament will debut in Manila, Philippines, capitalising on the surge of local enthusiasm generated by home‑grown talent Alex Eala.
This move reflects the association’s strategy of growing tennis in emerging markets while rewarding regions that demonstrate strong fan engagement. Another notable shift involves the WTA 500 tier.
The number of mandatory 500‑level events required of players ranked inside the top 50 will be reduced from six to four. Consequently, the baseline playing commitment for elite athletes will consist of 14 WTA tournaments plus the four Grand Slams in 2027. This reduction is intended to alleviate scheduling pressures and reduce travel fatigue, allowing players more flexibility to manage their seasons and preserve their health.
"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: * Equal prize money for all combined WTA 1000 events, bringing uniformity across the highest tier of competition. * A streamlined calendar that lowers mandatory 500‑level commitments, giving top‑ranked players greater control over their schedules. * Expansion of the WTA 250 circuit into Manila, tapping into a burgeoning fan base and supporting the development of local talent.
* Relocation of the WTA Finals to Charlotte, North Carolina, where the event will enjoy a state‑of‑the‑art arena and a new regional audience. * Continued partnership with broadcast platforms, offering live streaming of matches through services such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, ensuring fans worldwide can follow the action without contractual barriers. These initiatives collectively underscore the WTA’s dedication to fostering a more equitable, player‑friendly, and globally accessible tennis environment.
By aligning prize money across the most prestigious tournaments, the organization not only honors the legacy of pioneers like Billie Jean King but also sets a clear precedent for future generations of athletes. The forthcoming changes are expected to enhance the sport’s appeal, encourage broader participation, and reinforce tennis’s reputation as a leader in gender equality within professional sports. Fans can look forward to a season where the financial rewards reflect the equal effort, skill, and dedication displayed by both men and women on the court, and where the sport continues to evolve in response to the needs of its players and audiences alike.