The Women's Tennis Association 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 and several other high‑profile events into alignment with the rest of the category, ensuring that the total financial rewards on offer are the same for both genders.
The change marks a historic moment for the sport. Nearly sixty years after Billie Jean King lifted the trophy at the Foro Italico in Rome, the iconic clay‑court tournament will finally match the men’s purse in total value.
The WTA frames this as a "major milestone" in its ongoing push for gender parity across professional tennis. In practical terms, the 2027 schedule will see all combined WTA 1000 stops—events that host both men’s and women’s draws—paying equal sums to champions, finalists and all other participants according to the same scale. This move aligns the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open and the Italian Open with the already‑equalized 1000‑level tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and the Chinese events, as well as with the United Cup and the four Grand Slam championships, all of which have long offered identical prize money 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 forthcoming 2027 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 for at least three years in an NBA arena, underscoring the organization’s ambition to grow the sport’s visibility in new markets. In addition to the prize‑money overhaul, the WTA disclosed several other structural adjustments for the 2027 season.
An expanded WTA 250‑level event will debut in Manila, Philippines, capitalising on the surge of local enthusiasm generated by home‑grown talent Alex Eala. Meanwhile, the mandatory commitment for top‑50 players to compete in WTA 500 tournaments has been trimmed from six events to four, reducing the baseline schedule to 14 WTA tournaments plus the four Grand Slams. Camillo explained that the board listened closely to player feedback about calendar overload and responded with a meaningful reduction in required appearances.
"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: * Full parity in prize money for every combined WTA 1000 event, ensuring that men’s and women’s draws receive identical financial rewards.
* A streamlined tournament commitment for top‑ranked players, lowering the mandatory WTA 500 participation from six to four events. * The introduction of a new WTA 250 tournament in Manila, reflecting the growing popularity of tennis in Southeast Asia. * The relocation of the WTA Finals to Charlotte, North Carolina, where the event will enjoy a multi‑year stay in a major indoor arena. * Continued support for broadcasting accessibility, with streaming options on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, allowing fans worldwide to watch live action from events like the China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters.
These initiatives collectively signal a broader strategy aimed at enhancing the sport’s global footprint, improving player welfare, and reinforcing the principle of gender equality that has become a cornerstone of modern tennis governance. By guaranteeing equal prize money at the highest tier of combined events, the WTA not only rectifies a long‑standing disparity but also sets a benchmark for other sports organisations seeking to promote fairness. The decision also carries symbolic weight. Billie Jean King’s triumph at the Italian Open in 1968 was a milestone for women’s tennis, and the 2027 equal‑pay policy brings the tournament full circle, honoring that legacy while looking forward to a more inclusive future.
Fans, sponsors and athletes alike have welcomed the move, viewing it as a logical extension of the progress made over the past decades, from the early days of the WTA’s formation to the present day where Grand Slam champions of both genders now share identical prize purses. As the 2027 season approaches, the tennis community will watch closely to see how these reforms unfold on the court and in the boardroom.
The expectation is that equal prize money will not only boost morale among female players but also attract new talent, sponsors and viewers, further cementing tennis’s reputation as a sport that champions equality, excellence, and global reach. For those interested in following the action, the WTA recommends using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, ensuring a seamless viewing experience across its digital platforms.