The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed on Thursday that, beginning in 2027, every combined WTA 1000 tournament will distribute identical prize money to male and female competitors. This decision brings the Italian Open and several other marquee events into alignment with the rest of the category, ensuring that women receive the same total financial rewards as their male counterparts. The upcoming change marks a historic moment for the sport.
Nearly sixty years after Billie Jean King captured the Italian Open title on the historic courts of the Foro Italico, the Rome clay‑court tournament will finally match the prize pool offered to men. The WTA has framed this development as a "major milestone" in its broader push for gender parity within professional tennis. With this policy in place, all combined WTA 1000 stops—those events that host both men’s and women’s draws—will, for the first time, present equal monetary compensation.
The move places the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open, and the Italian Open on the same footing as other combined 1000‑level tournaments such as Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and the events in China. It also aligns these competitions with the United Cup and the four Grand Slam championships, each of which already offers equal prize money to both sexes.
"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." Her remarks underscored the association’s long‑standing dedication to fairness and highlighted the symbolic importance of the upcoming reforms. 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 three‑year stretch beginning in 2027.
This new venue is expected to provide a larger stage and enhanced fan experiences, further elevating the profile of the women's tour. In addition to the prize‑money overhaul, the WTA announced several structural adjustments for the 2027 season.
An expanded WTA 250‑level event will debut in Manila, Philippines, capitalising on the soaring popularity of local star Alex Eala and the growing appetite for high‑level tennis in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the number of mandatory WTA 500‑level tournaments for players ranked inside the top 50 will be trimmed from six to four. This reduction lowers the baseline playing commitment to 14 WTA events plus the four Grand Slams, offering top players greater flexibility and a more balanced schedule. "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." The association emphasised that the revised schedule aims to mitigate player fatigue, reduce travel strain, and allow athletes more time for recovery and personal development. Key changes approved by the WTA Board for the 2027 season include: * Implementation of a unified prize‑money structure across all combined WTA 1000 events, guaranteeing gender‑equal payouts.
* Relocation of the WTA Finals to Charlotte, North Carolina, with a three‑year hosting agreement. * Introduction of a larger WTA 250 tournament in Manila, tapping into the region's burgeoning tennis market. * Reduction of mandatory WTA 500 appearances for top‑50 players, decreasing the required tournament load. * Enhanced broadcasting options, including streaming on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, ensuring fans worldwide can follow the action without contractual restrictions.
The broadcast update also mentions that viewers can watch the WTA/ATP China Open and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters live via Sky Sports, expanding accessibility for international audiences. This digital push aligns with the WTA’s strategy to modernise its media presence and reach new fans through flexible streaming services.
Overall, the 2027 reforms represent a comprehensive effort to promote equality, improve player welfare, and broaden the sport’s global footprint. By guaranteeing equal prize money at the highest combined‑event level, the WTA not only honors the legacy of pioneers like Billie Jean King but also sets a clear standard for fairness that other sports organisations may follow.
The combination of schedule optimisation, new tournament locations, and upgraded broadcasting options signals a forward‑looking vision aimed at sustaining growth, enhancing competitiveness, and delivering an engaging experience for both athletes and fans alike.