- Wimbledon’s Increases Prize Money Pot to Record £64.2 Million; Champions to Earn £3.6 Million Each
The All England Club has announced a record-breaking prize fund of £64.2 million ($85.7 million) for the 2026 edition of the Wimbledon Championships, marking a significant 20 percent increase from last year’s tournament.
Tournament organisers confirmed the new figures during a pre-event press conference on Thursday, with the prestigious Grand Slam set to begin on June 29 in south-west London.
Under the revised structure, both the men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive £3.6 million, while players eliminated in the first round will still walk away with £80 000. According to organisers, more than £5 million will be distributed among first-round losers alone.
The increase comes amid growing pressure from players for a larger share of Grand Slam revenues. Several leading stars had voiced concerns during the recent French Open, where players reportedly protested by limiting media commitments to just 15 minutes in frustration over prize money growth at Roland Garros.
Prize money at the French Open reportedly rose by only 9.5 percent from 2025, remaining close to 15 percent of tournament revenue. Players are believed to be pushing for prize funds to reach approximately 22 percent of total revenue generated by Grand Slam events.
Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans defended the tournament’s new financial package, describing it as both fair and necessary.
“I recognise there is one topic you are most interested in hearing about this morning and that’s prize money,” Jevans told reporters.
“For 2026 the prize money fund will be £64.2 million, that is a 20 percent increase on last year and a £10.7 million uplift which allows players to continue to share in our success.”
She added that Wimbledon’s support system extends throughout the draw and not only to the champions.
“Gentlemen and Ladies singles champions will each receive £3.6 million and first-round prize money is set at £80 000, so players that lose in the first round will share more than £5 million in prize money,” she said.
“These figures represent a substantial increase in prize money.”
Wimbledon CEO Sally Bolton also confirmed that discussions had taken place with players’ representative Larry Scott during the French Open in Paris last month regarding the growing concerns around player compensation.
“There has been no dialogue with the players direct but we have had dialogue with Larry Scott, who has been appointed by some of the players to represent them,” Jevans explained.
“We have had dialogue, email exchanges and a meeting in Paris. After Paris you have all read the 22 percent and £70 million — what we have done is right and appropriate.”
