French Open purse set at $71.5 million

Roland-Garros organizers said Friday that the 2026 French Open will offer a total prize pool of €61.7 million, or about $71.5 million, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each set to receive €2.8 million. The figures make this year’s purse the largest in tournament history, according to tournament and national governing body information. Equal prize money applies to the men’s and women’s draws, continuing the Grand Slam’s parity model. The announcement landed as several leading players curtailed media appearances in a protest over how Grand Slam revenue is shared. ### How much will the 2026 French Open champions actually earn? The singles champions will receive €2.8 million each, according to the Lawn Tennis Association’s published Roland Garros prize-money breakdown and reporting by CBS Sports. CBS converted the full purse to about $71.5 million and the winners’ checks to about $2.9 million. The total purse is €61.7 million, the LTA said, and independent prize-money trackers citing the tournament’s confirmed figures reported that as a year-over-year increase. Roland-Garros’ official site said tournament director Amélie Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton presented 2026 tournament changes at a pre-event news conference. (lta.org.uk) ### Is the pay the same for men and women? Roland Garros is paying equal prize money in the men’s and women’s events, with each singles winner taking the same €2.8 million, the LTA’s breakdown shows. CBS Sports reported the same structure in dollar terms, saying the champions will earn $2.9 million apiece. That parity extends to the headline payouts readers usually track most closely — the champions’ checks and the total purse attached to the two singles draws. (lta.org.uk) The French Open has long awarded equal prize money to men and women in singles, and the 2026 published schedule maintains that format. ### Why are players still protesting if the purse is rising? (lta.org.uk) Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner were among players who limited media duties to 15 minutes in a protest over Grand Slam prize money, the BBC reported Friday. The BBC said players shortened press conferences and other media obligations as part of a wider dispute over how much of tournament revenue is allocated to players. (lta.org.uk) RTÉ and Sky Sports reported that the 15-minute limit was intended to reflect a complaint from players about the share of revenue currently returned as prize money. Sabalenka said her participation was about lower-ranked players who are struggling, Sky Sports reported. ### Where does this fit in the tournament calendar? (bbc.co.uk) The 2026 Roland-Garros main draw is already set on the tournament’s official results page, with first-round matchups posted for the men’s singles field. The event is the second Grand Slam of the season and is being played in Paris on clay. The official site lists Jannik Sinner as the top men’s seed, while outside coverage has highlighted leading contenders on both tours ahead of opening matches. (rte.ie) ESPN and other preview coverage have also focused on draw paths and the prize-money backdrop entering the first weekend. ### What comes next once play begins? Sunday, May 24, is the start of main-draw competition at Roland-Garros, according to tournament listings and preview coverage. (rolandgarros.com) The tournament’s official website is carrying live scores, draws and schedules through the two-week event. The next major benchmark is the singles finals, when the men’s and women’s champions will collect the €2.8 million top prize. (rolandgarros.com) Between now and then, the prize-money issue is likely to remain in view as top players continue press conferences and on-court play in Paris. (lta.org.uk) (rolandgarros.com)