Charleston Raises the Bar Credit One’s Bold Investment in Women’s Tennis

The Credit One Charleston Open has announced a landmark change for 2026: a record $2.5 million purse, making it the first standalone WTA 500 event to proactively match ATP 500 prize benchmarks. The package includes $2.3 million in direct prize money and $200,000 in player benefits, doubling the compensation from 2025 and setting a new precedent for equality in tennis.

This move is more than financial. It’s symbolic. For years, Grand Slams have led the way in equal prize money, but mid-tier events have lagged behind. Charleston’s decision shows that parity doesn’t have to be restricted to the majors —it can be achieved anywhere with the right financial backing and belief and commitment to growing the women's game. As Venus Williams put it, the increase is “a powerful message for the future of tennis.”¹

Credit One Bank, the tournament’s title sponsor, is the driving force behind this transformation. Their investment covers both prize money and player support, reflecting a broader commitment to women’s tennis. By funding not only the pay cheque, but also the infrastructure around it, Credit One is signalling that equality means more than numbers—it means building a professional environment where athletes can thrive and inspire a younger generation of female players.

To understand Charleston’s boldness, look at the broader WTA landscape. Most WTA 500 events offer around $780,000–$800,000, with winners earning just over $120,000. WTA 250s, like Ostrava, sit at $283,000 total, with champions taking home about $37,000. At the top end, WTA 1000 tournaments such as Doha and Dubai lead with $4 million pools and winners pocketing roughly $665,000. Charleston’s $2.5 million purse doesn’t quite reach WTA 1000 territory, but it bridges the gap—transforming the definition of a WTA 500 and positioning itself as a benchmark setter.

As the largest women’s-only professional tennis event in North America, Charleston is setting the standard—raising prize money and leading from the front in making meaningful change. With this announcement, it becomes something more, a leader in progressive change, a tournament willing to challenge the status quo, and a symbol of what investment in women’s sport can achieve. 

Jake Scudder 

Journalist - topics of tennis 

This article was based on a WTA press release