US Open 2026 under way in New York: Sabalenka defends her title as prize money hits a record 108 million dollars

The final Grand Slam of the tennis season is under way, with the 2026 US Open bringing many of the world's best players to New York. The tournament once again promises high drama on the hard courts, drawing large crowds and global attention.

In this article, we look at the key details of this year's edition: the dates, the venue, the defending champion and the record prize money on offer. Here is what to know as the action unfolds in Flushing Meadows over almost two weeks.

Dates and venue

According to the WTA, the 2026 US Open singles main draw runs from 30 August to 12 September, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. As usual, the matches are played on hard courts.

The tournament features a 128-player singles draw, one of the largest in the sport. The women's doubles final is scheduled for 11 September, while the women's singles final will bring the event to a close on 12 September.

The defending champion

On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka arrives in New York as the defending singles champion. According to the WTA, she won the 2025 title by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the final, and she returns as the top seed this year.

Her status also underlines her consistency at the top of the game. The WTA notes that this marks Sabalenka's eighth consecutive Grand Slam as the top seed, a run that highlights her sustained presence at the summit of the rankings.

Record prize money

This year's edition also stands out for its financial figures. According to the WTA, total player compensation reaches 108 million dollars, a 20 percent increase compared with the 90 million dollars awarded in 2025.

The rewards for the singles contenders are considerable. The women's singles champion will earn 5.5 million dollars and 2,000 ranking points, while the runner-up receives 2.8 million dollars and 1,300 ranking points.

A Williams reunion in doubles

One of the most talked-about storylines involves a familiar name. According to the WTA, Venus Williams received a wild card and will team up with her sister Serena in the doubles competition, in what is described as their first major doubles pairing since 2022.

The reunion is likely to attract significant interest from fans and media alike. Pairings of this kind add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament, blending sporting competition with a strong sense of occasion and nostalgia.

Doubles and the wider draw

The doubles events also carry their own weight. According to the WTA, Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski are the defending women's doubles champions, with that final set for 11 September and the winning pair earning one million dollars.

With a full singles draw and competitive doubles fields, the tournament offers a broad programme across nearly two weeks. This scale is part of what makes the US Open one of the most demanding events on the calendar.

What is at stake

As the last Grand Slam of the year, the US Open often shapes the closing stretch of the season. Strong results here can influence the race for the year-end rankings and set the tone heading into the final months of competition.

In short, the 2026 US Open combines familiar favourites, record prize money and eye-catching storylines. As the rounds progress in New York, attention will steadily build towards the finals in the second week of September.