The Charleston Open has announced that Credit One Bank will continue to be its title sponsor through 2031, with notable changes in prize equality set for 2026. The tournament will start awarding equal prize money to both female and male players. This announcement was made on the final day of this year’s event, highlighting the tournament’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in tennis. The prize pool for this prestigious event, which is a WTA-500 level tournament, will match that of the men’s ATP-500 level event, setting a new standard in the industry.
The Charleston Open’s decision positions it as the pioneering standalone WTA 500 event to introduce equal prize money ahead of the WTA’s 2033 deadline for all weeklong WTA 1000 and 500 tournaments to achieve the same parity. The WTA 500 level is situated two tiers below Grand Slams and one below Masters 1000s in the professional tennis hierarchy.
Amber Greenwalt, the senior vice president of brand and advertising at Credit One Bank, emphasized the tournament’s historical commitment to empowerment since 1973. She recalled how the Charleston Open was a trailblazer as the first tournament to offer $100,000 in prize money exclusively for women and to be televised live nationally. Notably, the event’s inaugural champion, Rosie Casals, received a $30,000 check, which was the largest payout to a female athlete in that era.
“This initiative underlines our resolution to promote equity both on and off the court, as we continue to advocate for progress and opportunity for all,” Greenwalt remarked.
For 2025, the Charleston Open’s prize money is set at $1.06 million, with a projected increase to roughly $1.15 million in 2026. The tournament aims to match the ATP 500 event’s purse, which typically surpasses $2 million. The exact amount will be confirmed when the official prize money for the 2026 season is announced.
“We are proud to take this action as part of our ongoing commitment to acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our athletes, leading by example for the next generation,” said Ben Navarro, the tournament owner.
The Charleston Open, spanning nine days, marks the beginning of the clay season for the WTA Tour. It features a singles draw with 48 players, a qualifying draw of 28, and a doubles draw of 16. It stands as the largest women-only tennis event in North America.