Australian Open final prize money: How much Djokovic and Alcaraz get? | Tennis | Sport
The 2026 Australian Open men’s final features a winner-takes-all check of £2.06million. This represents a significant 19 per cent increase from the previous year’s championship prize.
The runner-up in the showdown between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will not leave empty-handed, securing a hefty payday of £1.07m, a 13 per cent rise compared to the 2025 finalist’s earnings.
Total tournament prize money hit a record high of £55m, marking a 16 per cent overall boost to support professional players at every stage of the competition.
Alcaraz is competing for more than just money; he aims to become the youngest player to complete the Career Grand Slam while pocketing the record-breaking winner’s check.
Djokovic is chasing an 11th title in Melbourne, which would see him extend his record to 25 Grand Slam titles and claim the multi-million-dollar top prize.
The 2026 payout reflects Tennis Australia’s biggest jump in history, specifically designed to help players cover rising travel, coaching, and training expenses during the season.
Both Djokovic and Alcaraz earned £637,409 for winning their semi-final matches, ensuring their final earnings will at least double regardless of the championship result.
This year’s winners’ cheque of £2m places the Australian Open above Wimbledon 2025 (£1.96m) but still slightly behind the lucrative payouts of the US Open.
The final match offers equal prize money for men and women, with the women’s champion Elena Rybakina receiving the same reward as the men’s winner, with runner-up Aryna Sabalenka taking an equal prize to the male runner-up.
Tournament director Craig Tiley stated the increases are vital for sustainability, ensuring the “Happy Slam” remains one of the most commercially attractive events for global stars.
