Wimbledon Prize Money History: Complete Breakdown From 1968 to 2026

Wimbledon's prize money has grown from £26,150 in 1968 to over £50 million in 2026, reflecting tennis's transformation into a major professional sport. The journey to equal prize money for men and women reached its landmark moment in 2007. This guide tracks every significant prize money milestone.

Wimbledon introduced equal prize money for men's and women's singles in 2007, the last Grand Slam to do so. Venus Williams was a vocal advocate, writing an essay in The Times arguing for parity. The decision was historic, given Wimbledon's traditional values, and was widely praised across the tennis world.

Prize money is distributed across all rounds, with first-round losers earning approximately £60,000 in 2026 — more than some professional players earn in entire seasons on the lower tours. Doubles and mixed doubles receive smaller shares, with the champions earning roughly 15% of the singles champions' purse.

Even players eliminated in qualifying rounds receive prize money at Wimbledon, with first-round qualifiers earning approximately £15,000. This ensures that lower-ranked players can cover their travel and accommodation costs, supporting the broader professional tennis ecosystem. Total qualifying prize money exceeds £800,000, funding the dreams of hundreds of aspiring professionals.