Wimbledon Raises Prize Money 20 Percent to Record £64.2 Million

The All England Club announced on Thursday that the total prize money for this year's Wimbledon championships will rise by £10.7 million, or 20 percent, to a record £64.2 million. Representatives for players on the ATP and WTA Tours described the increase as the largest single-year uplift in the tournament's history.

They noted, however, that the new total still represents 14.4 percent of projected revenues, below the 14.9 percent share allocated in 2015.

The player representatives had sought a rise to 16 percent, or £71.2 million, as an interim step toward a long-term target of 22 percent by 2030. They argue that athletes should receive a larger share of the event's financial growth. Wimbledon organizers countered that a 22 percent allocation would be unrealistic.

They said the tournament, unlike regular tour events, must also fund facility upgrades and broader tennis development.

A joint statement from leading players welcomed the increase but stated that structural issues raised with the Grand Slams over the past year remain unresolved. Those issues include a proposed player welfare fund for health, pension, and maternity coverage, plus a player council to give athletes input on decisions affecting them.

AEC chair Debbie Jevans said revenue alone should not determine prize money because the tournament reinvests all proceeds into the sport. She added that the message about those investments has not been fully understood by players.