Tennis is getting expensive. If you think your court fees are high, just look at what it costs to run a Masters 1000 event. Specifically, the National Bank Open—historically known as the Canadian Open—just underwent a massive financial face-lift. It’s not just about the million-dollar checks anymore. It’s about a messy, aggressive, and frankly overdue push for pay equity that finally started to hit the bank accounts of the world’s best players in 2025.
For a long time, the prize money gap between the ATP and WTA in Canada was a bit of a sore spot. People noticed. The players definitely noticed.
The 2025 Surge: By the Numbers
Last season was a turning point. We saw the total canadian open tennis prize money for the men’s side hit an eye-watering $9,193,540. That is a 35% jump from the previous year. You might wonder why it spiked so hard. Well, the ATP expanded the draw to 96 players, which essentially means more matches, more days, and a lot more cash required to keep everyone happy.
When Ben Shelton hoisted the trophy in Toronto, he walked away with a cool $1,124,380. Honestly, not a bad week’s work.
But look at the women's side in Montreal. The total purse was $5,152,599. While that sounds significantly lower—and it is—it actually represented a 60% increase over the year before. The winner, Victoria Mboko, took home $752,275.
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Why the Gap Still Exists (For Now)
It’s complicated. National Bank and Tennis Canada have been pretty transparent about the fact that they can’t just flip a switch and find an extra $4 million under a rug. They’ve committed to a "gradual" path to parity. Basically, the plan is to reach 100% equal prize money by 2027.
In 2025, the women’s purse was roughly 56% of the men’s.
By 2026, it is projected to jump to 79%.
Then, 2027 is the "big bang" year where the checks should look identical regardless of gender.
Breaking Down the Payouts by Round
If you lose in the first round of a Masters 1000, you don't go home empty-handed. Not even close. In 2025, a first-round exit on the men's side paid out $23,760. For the women, it was $12,770.
Think about the overhead for a lower-ranked player. Coaches, flights to Canada, hotels in Toronto or Montreal, physios. That first-round check often just covers the credit card bill for the trip.
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- Semi-finalists: Men earned $332,160 while women earned $206,100.
- Quarter-finalists: The guys took $189,075; the ladies got $107,000.
- Round of 16: A solid $103,225 for ATP versus $56,703 for WTA.
The percentages are shifting, but the raw numbers still show the legacy of two different tours with two different commercial structures. It’s sorta wild when you realize these athletes are playing on the same courts, using the same balls, and often drawing the same TV ratings.
The 2026 Outlook: What to Expect Next
We are currently in 2026, and the chatter around the water cooler (or the locker room) is all about that 79% parity mark. We’re looking at a total WTA purse that should climb toward the $7 million range this summer.
Sponsorship is the engine here. National Bank stepped up big time, but the Rogers partnership remains the backbone of the tournament's stability. Without those two giants, the Canadian Open wouldn't be able to compete with the "oil money" events popping up on the calendar in the Middle East.
More than Just the Winner’s Check
People fixate on the million-dollar winner's share. I get it. It’s a flashy headline. But the real story of canadian open tennis prize money is the "middle class" of the tour.
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When a player like Amanda Anisimova or Alexei Popyrin makes a deep run, that money changes their entire season. It buys them a better coach. It allows them to fly business class so they aren't cramped on a 10-hour flight before a big match.
The "Other" Canadian Open
Just to keep you on your toes—don't confuse this with the RBC Canadian Open. That’s golf. Different ball, different grass, different money. Ryan Fox won that one recently and bagged $1.764 million. Tennis hasn't quite hit those heights for a non-Slam event yet, but it's chasing it.
How the Money is Actually Paid
Tax. Oh, the tax.
Players don't actually see the full $1.1 million. Canada's tax laws for non-resident athletes are notoriously stiff. By the time the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) takes their cut and the player pays their team, that million-dollar check feels a lot more like $500,000. It’s still a fortune, but it’s not "buy a private island" money.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the money to see who might perform well, keep an eye on the "Defending Points" factor. Players like Jessica Pegula—who basically owns the Canadian courts lately—aren't just playing for the cash; they’re playing to avoid a massive drop in rankings that could cost them future seedings and, by extension, future prize money.
- Watch the 2026 WTA Jump: Expect the women's payout to be the biggest story of the summer as they hit that 79% parity target.
- Qualifying Rounds Matter: Even the "Qualies" pay out thousands now. For a player ranked 120th in the world, winning two qualifying matches to get into the main draw is the financial equivalent of winning a small Challenger tournament.
- Toronto vs. Montreal: Remember the men and women swap cities every year. The 2026 ATP event is in Montreal, and the WTA is in Toronto. Local sponsorship activation often changes slightly between the two cities, though the prize pool remains centralized through Tennis Canada.
The era of "discount" women's tennis in Canada is ending. By next year, the debate won't be about why the men earn more—it'll be about how the tournament can afford to keep both purses so high in an increasingly competitive global sports market.