The Credit One Charleston Open “will double its prize money next year” to more than $2M, “matching the purse at similar tournaments on the men’s pro tennis tour.” The Charleston Open is the first WTA 500 event to “voluntarily increase its prize money” ahead of a 2033 deadline for 500- and 1000-level tournaments to offer equal prize money to the men’s tour. The total purse for the 2025 Charleston Open is $1,064,510, with $164,000 going to the champion. There is “not a definite figure for the 2026 purse, but it should be more than” $2M, according to Charleston Open owner Ben Navarro, whose daughter, Emma, is ranked No. 11 on the WTA Tour. The increase in prize money is “part of a contract extension” with sponsor Credit One Bank, also owned by Navarro, through the 2031 tournament. Navarro: “If we can pay a market rate that’s consistent with the men, which we can, then I’m thrilled to make that happen” (Charleston POST & COURIER, 4/7).
WTA’s Charleston Open to double prize money in ‘26
