This is another step to boost earnings for tennis players outside the top 100 and strengthen the sustainability of the entire tour.

The ATP has announced a record prize pool of $32.4 million for the Challenger Tour in 2026, an increase of 18.1% from $27.44 million the previous year.

The new total includes a $5 million boost for singles, reflecting a redistribution of prize money compared to doubles. This likely reflects the fact that most Challenger-level players earn the bulk of their income in singles, while doubles is often secondary and generates less fan interest.

The ATP said the increase was made possible by new revenue streams, including the commercialization of rights through Tennis Data Innovations, the introduction of more prestigious Challenger 175 events, and the creation of a dedicated team to grow the Challenger Tour and secure additional income.

In 2025, another major step was the expansion of international media rights distribution, highlighted by a landmark partnership with Tennis Channel. Challenger events are now broadcast in 20 countries, reaching a record audience of 33.8 million viewers.

For 2026, the calendar will expand from 216 to 265 tournaments. The addition of new Challenger 50 events is intended to give players more opportunities to compete and climb the rankings.

These changes are part of OneVision, the ATP’s long-term strategic plan launched in 2022 to make tennis more sustainable and profitable for both players and tournament organizers.

Cover photo: ATP