Wimbledon announces record 20 per cent increase in prize money pot of £64.2m amid player Grand Slam demands

Wimbledon has announced a record 20 per cent increase in total prize money for 2026 amid player demands for a larger share of revenues at Grand Slam tournaments.

The total prize money will be £64.2m, described as "by far" the biggest annual increase in the tournament's history.

The singles champions will earn £3.6m at the grass-court Grand Slam next month - 20 per cent more than last year. Players had cut short press conferences at the recent French Open in Paris, with threats of future boycotts too.

"I would hope the players would welcome it. It's a significant amount of money," All England Club chair Deborah Jevans said at a press conference.

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"We've demonstrated that we've looked at every round, including qualifying. My hope is that the players do recognize what a significant increase that this is."

First-round losers will receive £80,000, compared to £66,000 in 2025.

The AELTC also announced that total prize money for the qualifying draw would be £6.2m, an increase of 25 per cent.

Players have long been calling for a greater share of revenues from the four Grand Slams and recently began taking steps toward collective action.

For this year's Wimbledon, players advocated for total prize money of £71m, Jevans said, citing her recent talks in Paris with Larry Scott, the former WTA CEO who has been advising the players.

Ahead of the French Open, No 1 Aryna Sabalenka said players should at some point organise a boycott if their demands aren't met. Men's No 1 Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff and others also spoke out.

At Roland Garros, top-10 players limited their press conferences with journalists to 15 minutes in symbolic protest of their share of the tournament revenues.

Just over a year ago, 20 leading players signed a letter to the heads of the four Grand Slams seeking more prize money and a greater voice in decision making.

Wimbledon, the oldest Grand Slam tournament, begins on June 29. Iga Swiatek is the defending women's champion, while the men's defending champion is Jannik Sinner.

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