Charleston Open Awards $2.5 Million to Players in Historic Milestone

Charleston will offer an unprecedented $2.5 million player compensation package for a WTA 500 tournament as part of its commitment to equal pay in tennis; $2.3 million in prize money and $200,000 in player benefits

The Credit One Charleston Open, a WTA 500 tournament and North America’s largest women’s-only professional tennis event, will commit $2.5 million to its players in 2026, including a record $2.3 million in on-site prize money and $200,000 towards player benefits programs. This total investment doubles the amount offered in 2025 and marks a landmark moment in the sport, making Charleston the first standalone WTA 500 event to proactively raise prize money. 

In April 2025, Credit One Bank extended its title partnership of the Credit One Charleston Open through 2031 and, as part of that extension and commitment to the sport, announced the tournament would offer equal prize money beginning in 2026. The decision reflects the bank’s belief in investing in women athletes at the highest level and further reinforces Charleston’s position as a leader on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz.

“Women’s tennis is delivering at a very high level right now, from the quality of competition to the engagement from fans, and this investment reflects that,” said Ben Navarro, Tournament Owner of the Credit One Charleston Open. “Offering equal prize money is about respecting the players and the work they put in, and aligning the tournament with the value of the game.”

The 2026 WTA Tour-wide minimum purse for a WTA 500 event is $1,206,446. With Charleston’s total player compensation reaching $2.5 million ($1,293,554 more than required), the tournament will reward players $2.3 million in on-court earnings plus a $200,000 contribution to the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA), which offers key services for players including a pension plan, health insurance and healthcare benefits, and subsidized college tuition and online degrees through the University of Florida and Indiana University East, along with additional benefit initiatives. 

“We’re proud to support the Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America, as it becomes the first standalone WTA 500-level event to take meaningful action toward closing the gender pay gap that prevails in tennis,” says Amber Greenwalt, SVP, Brand and Advertising, Credit One Bank. “As champions of fostering forward financial momentum and opportunity for all, our commitment to equal prize money for women marks an important milestone and sets the stage for what’s ahead in women’s tennis.”

The Charleston Open has a long legacy of breaking new ground in tennis, having been the first women’s tennis event to offer $100,000 in prize money in 1973 and the first to be broadcast live on network television. The inaugural champion, Rosie Casals, received a check for $30,000, which was the largest prize money payout awarded to a woman that year. The tournament was also recently named the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year, for the fourth consecutive year, voted on by the players, and was the first WTA Tour clay tennis tournament to introduce Electronic Line Calling Live in 2025. 

“The Credit One Charleston Open offering equal prize money is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Madison Keys, 2019 Charleston Champion and WTA Players’ Council representative. “It represents real progress for women’s tennis and shows how far the sport continues to grow. As players, we’re very fortunate to have a tournament and title sponsor who genuinely sees the value in women’s sports and are willing to lead by example”

As part of the WTA’s pathway towards equal prize money, all 500-level standalone tournaments are projected to offer equal prize money by 2033. 

The Credit One Charleston Open will return to the Credit One Stadium, March 28 – April 5, 2026. Current player commitments include top-ranked Americans Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Emma Navarro, as well as Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic. The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players. The event traditionally hosts more than 90,000 attendees on Daniel Island. 

Tickets are currently on sale at creditonecharlestonopen.com or by calling (843) 856-7900. For additional information, please email info@creditonestadium.com or visit creditonecharlestonopen.com. When purchasing tickets for the 2026 Credit One Charleston Open, patrons have the option to choose from single session tickets and a limited number of ticket packages. Special discounts are available for juniors, seniors, USTA members and military members. Juniors aged 16 and under receive complimentary general admission with the purchase of an adult ticket, courtesy of Credit One Bank.

What They’re Saying:

Portia Archer, WTA CEO:
“Charleston’s 2026 financial commitment is an empowering statement about where our sport is headed. It represents a smart, strategic investment in the economic strength and future of the sport and highlights that investment in women’s tennis drives growth, opportunity, and value. We’re proud to see a tournament with such history take this important step forward.”

Bob Moran, Credit One Charleston Open Tournament Director and member of the WTA Board and WTA Foundation Board:
“Charleston’s investment represents more than a single tournament milestone. It reflects where the WTA Tour is headed. When we invest in players at this level, we’re investing in the collective future of the Tour, in opportunity, growth and the next generation of athletes who will shape the game. The changes happening today are creating a stronger foundation for what’s next, and the Credit One Charleston Open is proud to be part of that momentum.”

Emma Navarro, World No. 18 and Charleston local:
“Growing up in Charleston, this tournament has always meant so much to me. Seeing the Credit One Charleston Open take a historic step forward by offering equal prize money is a meaningful moment for our sport. It shows real leadership and a commitment to moving women’s tennis forward. I’m incredibly proud that my hometown tournament is setting the standard.”

Jessica Pegula, a member of the WTA Players’ Council and the 2025 Charleston champion:
“Seeing a tournament like Charleston commit to equal prize money matters. It shows that the work we put in and the level we compete at are being recognized. When tournaments continue to invest equally, it sends a clear message to current players and the next generation about where the sport is headed.”

Venus Williams, Former World No. 1 and 2004 Charleston champion:
“This is a huge moment for the legacy of our sport which sends a powerful message to the players, fans and the future of tennis. It shows real progress and a belief in the value of women’s sport.”