The WTA has confirmed that the Canadian Open will offer identical prize money to men and women starting in 2027, marking a significant milestone in the tour's push for financial equality. The Italian Open and Cincinnati Open will also join the Canadian event in achieving parity at the WTA 1000 level, bringing every combined tournament in that category into alignment.
What changes are coming to the WTA calendar in 2027?
The WTA is reducing mandatory WTA 500 tournaments for top 50 players from six to four, while allowing players to replace one eligible WTA 1000 result with a stronger result from a WTA 500 or WTA 250 event. These adjustments address concerns about schedule density and the demands placed on players competing in long tournaments, several of which now run over two weeks. The changes will be introduced as a one-year pilot in 2027, with the WTA evaluating their impact before setting the structure for 2028 and beyond.
Who shaped these new rules?
The Tour Architecture Council, a working group chaired by world No. 3 Jessica Pegula and bringing together players, tournaments, and WTA leadership, developed the changes. Pegula highlighted the importance of flexibility, noting that the 2027 adjustments give players more ability to build their seasons while managing the demands of being on the road most of the year.
The equal prize money milestone represents nearly six decades of progress since Billie Jean King won the Italian Open in Rome in 1969. The Canadian Open, Italian Open, and Cincinnati Open will join Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and Beijing in offering identical total prize money across their women's and men's events.
Sources
- Tennisuptodate.com: WTA announces landmark prize money change as major 2027 overhaul confirmed. Published 2026-10-02.
Reported from public sources.