Australian Open 2026 – Prize Money and Breakdown

With the first Grand Slam of 2026 almost upon us, the Australian Open is once again set to capture the sporting spotlight.

Not only are the world’s best tennis players competing for Grand Slam prestige here, but there’s also huge prize money on offer in Melbourne.

As one of the richest tournaments in the sport, the Australian Open continues to raise financial incentives across every round, adding extra significance to the campaigns of leading contenders such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

With official figures for 2026 confirmed, the prize pool for the tournament now reaches over £55m, increasing 16% from last year. Tennis Australia has made a clear effort in recent years to ensure prize money growth benefits the entire field, not just the champions, reinforcing the Australian Open’s reputation as a player-friendly Grand Slam.

At the top of the prize money breakdown are the singles champions. The men’s and women’s title winners will earn around £2.05 million each, a reward that reflects the physical intensity and consistency required to navigate seven demanding matches on Melbourne’s unforgiving hard courts. The runners-up are by no means forgotten, usually collecting approximately £1.07 million, while semi-finalists take home close to £622,000.

The financial structure remains generous as you move down the draw. Quarter-finalists can expect earnings in the region of £373,000, while reaching the fourth round is usually worth around £239,000. Even a third-round appearance brings a six-figure payout of £162,000, and players who exit in the first round still receive more than £112,000. For many lower-ranked professionals, these early-round earnings are vital, often covering travel and coaching costs for much of the season.

For defending champion and tournament favourite Jannik Sinner, the prize money represents the reward as well as a validation of his dominance in tennis currently. Already a two-time Australian Open winner, another title would see him add a further seven-figure sum to his career earnings while reinforcing his power on hard courts. Sinner’s calm temperament, improved serve and relentless baseline pressure have made Melbourne his most successful Grand Slam, and the increased financial incentive will only further focus him on the title.

Carlos Alcaraz approaches the tournament with a different kind of incentive. Despite being one of the sport’s best, the Spaniard has yet to reach an Australian Open semi-final. A deep run in 2026 would not only deliver his biggest Melbourne payday to date, potentially exceeding £1 million, but also underline his evolution into a complete all-surface threat.

Beyond singles, millions of pounds are also allocated to men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events, ensuring specialists are well rewarded. Combined with ranking points, sponsorship exposure and performance bonuses, the Australian Open remains one of the most financially significant tournaments on the tennis calendar.

As the 2026 Australian Open draws closer, the prize money breakdown highlights just how much is at stake. For stars like Sinner and Alcaraz, the pursuit of prestige may come first, but the substantial sums on offer ensure every match carries extra weight under the Melbourne sun.