Every WTA Event in 2027 Will Pay Women as Much as Men: A Half-Century Goal Achieved

For the first time ever, every Women’s Tennis Association event is set to pay women as much as the men. The WTA announced its 2027 schedule Thursday, and it’s making history with equal prize money slated for every single event on the calendar, a landmark moment in the organization’s history.

Fifty-Five Events, Twenty-Six Countries, One Goal

We’re talking about 55 events, spread across 26 countries and territories, all rocking equal prize money. That’s huge, right? This season ain’t fooling around either, hitting a defining milestone for women’s sport. All combined WTA 1000 tournaments will award equal prize money, building on a core objective that the WTA has had for over 50 years.

You already know some big ones like the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, and every single Grand Slam were already on board with equal prize money. But now, major tournaments like the Italian Open, National Bank Open presented by Rogers, and the Cincinnati Open are officially committing to offer the same payout for women and men. It’s wild to think the Italian Open previously fell short on promises to hit this goal, but in 2027, that won’t be happening.

Over Five Decades in the Making

This ain’t something that happened overnight, folks. The WTA says this goal was more than five decades in the making. Shoutout to legends like Billie Jean King and all those pioneering players who founded the WTA way back in 1973. They really set the foundation for this movement.

WTA chair Valerie Camillo didn’t pull any punches either, crediting current players for keeping the pressure on and making sure equal prize money stayed a top priority for the organization. She called it a “major milestone for tennis,” and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that.

Camillo stated, “The WTA is stepping up to deliver more for players and tournaments in 2027. We have listened to player feedback on the demands of the calendar, and responded with a meaningful reduction in commitments. Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis. It demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality, and is a testament to the enduring nature of the founding vision of the WTA.”

So, come 2027, the women’s game is going to look a whole lot different. This isn’t just about the money; it’s about the recognition, the fight, and finally seeing that vision from 50 years ago come to life across the board. Get ready, because the WTA is making a massive statement, and it’s one for the history books.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.