Women’s tennis has reached a turning point. From 2027, every combined WTA 1000 tournament will offer equal prize money to men and women. The Women’s Tennis Association announced the change on Thursday, calling it a “major milestone” for the sport.
The Italian Open, held at the Foro Italico in Rome, will finally award women the same total prize money as men in 2027. That event joins the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open and others at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and China, plus the United Cup and the four Grand Slams, all of which already offered equal pay.
The Italian Open’s Long Wait
Billie Jean King won the Italian Open at the Foro Italico nearly six decades ago. In 2027, the Rome clay-court event will finally match men’s prize money for women. The move brings the tournament into line with the rest of the combined WTA 1000 category.
Valerie Camillo, WTA chair, made the case for the change. “Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis,” she said.
“It demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality.”
The 2027 Calendar
The 2027 WTA season will feature 55 tournaments across 26 countries and territories. The season-ending WTA Finals will move to Charlotte, North Carolina, in an NBA arena for at least three years from 2027.
The move also includes an expanded WTA 250-level tournament in Manila, Philippines, amid massive interest surrounding home player Alex Eala.
Playing Commitments Change
The number of annual WTA 500 level tournaments required for players ranked in the top 50 was reduced from six to four. That results in a total base playing commitment of 14 WTA tournaments plus the four Grand Slams in 2027.
Camillo addressed the calendar changes directly. “The WTA is stepping up to deliver more for players and tournaments in 2027,” she said. “We have listened to player feedback on the demands of the calendar and responded with a meaningful reduction in commitments.”
What the Changes Mean
The shift affects a specific group of tournaments. Combined WTA 1000 events bring together both men’s and women’s draws at the same venue, with separate prize pools for each. Until now, those pools have not always matched.
Here is the order of events affected:
- The Italian Open at the Foro Italico in Rome
- The Canadian Open
- The Cincinnati Open
- Indian Wells
- Miami
- Madrid
- China
- The United Cup
- The four Grand Slams
The Road to Equality
The push toward equal pay traces back to the “Original 9.” Billie Jean King was among that group of players who broke away from the USLTA in 1970 to form the WTA. Their actions helped pave the way for the changes being announced today.
The WTA’s statement ties the new milestone to that founding vision. The organisation sees the prize money shift as a direct continuation of what those early players started.
Streaming Options
Sky Sports covers the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters live alongside the WTA/ATP China Open. Viewers can watch both events through the Sky Sports app or stream with no contract on NOW.
The coverage note points readers to skysports.com for full details on how to access the matches.
What Players Get
The reduced WTA 500 commitment means top-ranked players spend less time on the road. They now need four WTA 500 tournaments plus 14 other WTA events plus the four Grand Slams to meet their base requirements.
Players can also replace one eligible WTA 1000 tournament result with a stronger WTA 500 or 250 result on their ranking.
The Alex Eala Effect
Manila gets a bigger tournament next year thanks to interest surrounding home player Alex Eala.
The expanded format gives fans in the Philippines more ways to see her compete.
Charlotte’s New Home
The WTA Finals moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, is a significant logistical shift. The NBA arena setting hosts the event for at least three years from 2027.
The Prize Money Question
Equal prize money across combined WTA 1000 events is a clear statement. The question now is whether other categories follow.
The WTA has led the way on prize money equality in tennis. This move extends that leadership to a broader set of tournaments.
A Decade of Progress
From the “Original 9” to the current crop of stars, the sport has changed dramatically since 1970. Closing the prize money gap at the Italian Open marks a significant step forward for the sport.
“Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis.”
After nearly six decades, the Italian Open will finally award women equal prize money to men in 2027. That is a major milestone, and it honours the players who started this fight half a century ago.
The WTA has made good on its promise to lead the sports industry in delivering equality. The next generation of players will benefit from it.
Source material: “'Major milestone' with women to earn equal prize money at tennis events,” Sky Sports.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.