Australian Open 2026 Prize Money: How Much Do Players Earn?

The 2026 Australian Open will feature the biggest prize pool in the tournament's history.

Tennis Australia announced a total purse of $111.5 million AUD, a 16% jump from the $96.5 million on offer in 2025. 

The men's and women's singles champions will each pocket $4.15 million AUD (approximately $2.79 million USD), while even first-round losers walk away with $150,000.

Here's the full breakdown of what players earn at each stage of the singles draw.

Singles Prize Money Per Round

Prize money is identical for men's and women's singles at the Australian Open. The 2026 figures represent increases of between 12% and 19% compared to 2025, with the biggest percentage jumps at the winner and semifinalist level.

• Champion: $4,150,000 AUD ($2.79 million USD), up 19% from 2025
• Runner-up: $2,150,000 AUD ($1.45 million USD), up 13%
• Semifinalist: $1,250,000 AUD ($841,000 USD), up 14%
• Quarterfinalist: $750,000 AUD ($505,000 USD), up 13%
• Fourth round: $480,000 AUD ($323,000 USD), up 14%
• Third round: $327,750 AUD ($220,500 USD), up 13%
• Second round: $225,000 AUD ($151,400 USD), up 13%
• First round: $150,000 AUD ($101,000 USD), up 14%

Qualifying Round Prize Money

Players who compete in qualifying also receive prize money, regardless of whether they make the main draw. The 2026 qualifying purse increased by 16% across all three rounds.

Third round (final qualifying round): $83,500 AUD

Second round: $57,000 AUD

First round: $40,500 AUD

A player who loses in the final round of qualifying but doesn't make the main draw still takes home $83,500.

Those who successfully qualify and then lose in the first round of the main draw earn a combined $233,500 from their qualifying and main draw appearances.

How Does This Compare to Previous Years?

Australian Open prize money has grown significantly over the past decade.

The 2026 total of $111.5 million represents a 192% increase from the $38.1 million on offer in 2014. Even accounting for inflation, that's substantial growth.

The winner's cheque has followed a similar trajectory. In 2014, the singles champion earned $2.65 million AUD. The 2026 champion receives $4.15 million, a 57% increase in raw terms.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said the increase "demonstrates our commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level," noting that qualifying prize money has increased by 55% since 2023 alone.

What It Means for Players

The prize money structure means even lower-ranked players can bank solid earnings from a single tournament.

A player ranked outside the top 100 who receives a wildcard and loses in the first round still earns $150,000, more than covering their annual travel and coaching costs.

For context, the minimum prize money for a first-round loss at the Australian Open ($150,000 AUD) is roughly 1.5 times the average Australian annual salary.

A second-round exit pays $225,000. Reach the third round and you're taking home $327,750.

The gap between rounds also creates interesting dynamics. The jump from semifinalist ($1.25 million) to finalist ($2.15 million) is $900,000, while the jump from finalist to champion ($4.15 million) is $2 million.

Players in the final have serious financial incentive beyond just the trophy.

Australian Open Prize Money FAQs

How much does the Australian Open winner get in 2026?

The men's and women's singles champions each receive $4,150,000 AUD (approximately $2.79 million USD).

What is the total prize money at the 2026 Australian Open?

The total prize pool is $111.5 million AUD, the largest in the tournament's history.

Do men and women earn the same prize money?

Yes. Prize money has been equal for men's and women's singles at the Australian Open since 2001.