<p>The 2026 Australian Open will feature the biggest prize pool in the tournament's history.</p> <p>Tennis Australia announced a total purse of $111.5 million AUD, a 16% jump from the $96.5 million on offer in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Here's the full breakdown of what players earn at each stage of the singles draw.</p> <h2>Singles Prize Money Per Round</h2> <p>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.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Champion:</strong> $4,150,000 AUD ($2.79 million USD), up 19% from 2025</li> <li><strong>Runner-up:</strong> $2,150,000 AUD ($1.45 million USD), up 13%</li> <li><strong>Semifinalist:</strong> $1,250,000 AUD ($841,000 USD), up 14%</li> <li><strong>Quarterfinalist:</strong> $750,000 AUD ($505,000 USD), up 13%</li> <li><strong>Fourth round:</strong> $480,000 AUD ($323,000 USD), up 14%</li> <li><strong>Third round:</strong> $327,750 AUD ($220,500 USD), up 13%</li> <li><strong>Second round:</strong> $225,000 AUD ($151,400 USD), up 13%</li> <li><strong>First round: </strong>$150,000 AUD ($101,000 USD), up 14%</li> </ul> <h2>Qualifying Round Prize Money</h2> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Third round (final qualifying round):</strong> $83,500 AUD</p> <p><strong>Second round: </strong>$57,000 AUD</p> <p><strong>First round:</strong> $40,500 AUD</p> <p>A player who loses in the final round of qualifying but doesn't make the main draw still takes home $83,500.</p> <p>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.</p> <h2>How Does This Compare to Previous Years?</h2> <p>Australian Open prize money has grown significantly over the past decade.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <h2>What It Means for Players</h2> <p>The prize money structure means even lower-ranked players can bank solid earnings from a single tournament.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>A second-round exit pays $225,000. Reach the third round and you're taking home $327,750.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Players in the final have serious financial incentive beyond just the trophy.</p> <h2>Australian Open Prize Money FAQs</h2> <h3>How much does the Australian Open winner get in 2026?</h3> <p>The men's and women's singles champions each receive $4,150,000 AUD (approximately $2.79 million USD).</p> <h3>What is the total prize money at the 2026 Australian Open?</h3> <p>The total prize pool is $111.5 million AUD, the largest in the tournament's history.</p> <h3>Do men and women earn the same prize money?</h3> <p>Yes. Prize money has been equal for men's and women's singles at the Australian Open since 2001.</p>