Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. It has seen a remarkable rise in prize money over the past two decades. The prize winnings of the tournament have transformed dramatically from relatively modest winnings in the early 2000s to the multi-million-pound payouts of today. Players now compete for not only the coveted Wimbledon trophy but also significantly larger earnings that reflect the sport’s increasing global appeal. Players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic—the ‘Big 3’—have played a crucial role in boosting the popularity of Wimbledon and tennis in general over the last three decades with their sheer dominance. Roger Federer holds the record for the most Wimbledon men’s singles titles with 8 wins, while Martina Navratilova holds the women’s record with 9 titles.
Since 2004 the total prize pool at Wimbledon has quintupled (5x) from £9.7 million to £50 million. This surge in price money has been fuelled by increased sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights and growing public interest in the tournament. Wimbledon’s global audience has attracted top-tier sponsors like Rolex, IBM and HSBC significantly boosting its revenue. The BBC’s long-term broadcasting contract, along with international deals with ESPN and Discovery has played a crucial role in increasing prize money. This rise in the popularity of Wimbledon and Tennis in general have also influenced the world of sports betting and online casinos. As prize money at Wimbledon has soared, so too has the interest in tennis betting. Fans are no longer just passive spectators as they are actively engaging with the sport through online betting and casino entertainment.
The Evolution of Wimbledon’s Prize Money
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It was first played in 1877 with just 22 amateur male players competing for pride. The women’s championship was introduced in 1884, but recognisable prize money wasn’t introduced until 1968. Before 1968, only amateur players were allowed to compete in Grand Slam tournaments. Professional players, who earned money from the sport were banned from these events. The introduction of the Open Era in 1968 allowed professionals to compete in Wimbledon, US Open, French Open and the Australian Open (4 Grand Slam events) making these tournaments more competitive.
1968
In 1968, the first Wimbledon tournament of the Open Era featured a total prize fund of £26,150. The men’s champion earned £2,000, while the women’s winner received £750. By 2003, Wimbledon’s total prize fund had surged to £9.37 million, though it still pales in comparison to the £50 million awarded in 2024. The winners’ earnings have seen remarkable growth in last three decades with the men’s and women’s singles champions in 2003 taking home £575,000 and £535,000, respectively, whereas in 2024, both champions pocketed £2.7 million each. The official prize money figures for 2025 are yet to be announced.
1980
Since 1968, Wimbledon’s prize pool has expanded nearly every year, reflecting the sport’s rising global popularity and the influence of broadcasting advancements and social media in expanding its audience. By 1980, the total prize fund had grown more than tenfold, reaching £293,464 with the men’s champion earning £20,000 and the women’s winner receiving £18,000.
1990
A decade later, in 1990, the prize pool had multiplied 13 times since 1980, reaching £3.8 million, with the men’s champion awarded £230,000 and the women’s champion receiving £207,000. By 2000, total prize money had more than doubled again to £8,056,480, with £477,500 for the men’s winner and £430,000 for the women’s champion.
2010
The trend continued into the 2010s, with total prize money surpassing £13.72 million in 2010, awarding £1 million each to the men’s and women’s champions—a 70% increase from 2000. Finally, in 2024, Wimbledon reached a record-breaking £50 million prize pool, with £2.7 million awarded to both singles champions, reflecting a 264% rise since 2010. Over the past 20 years, Wimbledon’s prize money has surged by 415%, increasing from £9.71 million in 2004 to £50 million in 2024—an almost fourfold rise. The men’s champion’s earnings grew from £602,500 to £2.7 million, while the women’s winner’s prize rose from £560,500 to £2.7 million.
The Growing Prize Fund
For tennis enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of wagering on their favourite players, sportsbooks and online casino platforms like norgesspill.com have become go-to destinations. Betting on Wimbledon has evolved over time. Earlier tennis wagers were limited to match results, but today live in-play betting, player performance stats and set predictions have opened new ways for fans to engage. Some platforms even feature tennis-themed slot games and virtual tournaments.
With Wimbledon’s global fanbase expanding, the integration of sports betting and online casino entertainment has played a crucial role in its growing prize fund. More betting activity means increased sponsorship and advertising revenue, which in turn strengthens the tournament’s financial standing. The global sports betting industry is projected to reach $182.12 billion by 2030, with tennis being one of the most-wagered sports. The link between Wimbledon and betting platforms benefits both industries as betting attracts more viewers, while the popularity of Wimbledon drives higher betting volumes.
Prize Money History
The table below shows the earnings of Men’s and Women’s champions along with the total prize pool since 1968.
| Year | Gentlemen’s Singles (£) |
Ladies’ Singles (£) |
Meeting Total (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 2,000 | 750 | 26,150 |
| 1969 | 3,000 | 1,500 | 33,370 |
| 1970 | 3,000 | 1,500 | 41,650 |
| 1971 | 3,750 | 1,800 | 37,790 |
| 1972 | 5,000 | 3,000 | 50,330 |
| 1973 | 5,000 | 3,000 | 52,400 |
| 1974 | 10,000 | 7,000 | 97,100 |
| 1975 | 10,000 | 7,000 | 1,14,875 |
| 1976 | 12,500 | 10,000 | 1,57,740 |
| 1977 | 15,000 | 13,500 | 2,22,540 |
| 1978 | 19,000 | 17,100 | 2,79,023 |
| 1979 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 2,77,066 |
| 1980 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 2,93,464 |
| 1981 | 21,600 | 19,400 | 3,22,136 |
| 1982 | 41,667 | 37,500 | 5,93,366 |
| 1983 | 66,600 | 60,000 | 9,78,211 |
| 1984 | 1,00,000 | 90,000 | 14,61,896 |
| 1985 | 1,30,000 | 1,17,000 | 19,34,760 |
| 1986 | 1,40,000 | 1,26,000 | 21,19,780 |
| 1987 | 1,55,000 | 1,39,500 | 24,70,020 |
| 1988 | 1,65,000 | 1,48,500 | 26,12,126 |
| 1989 | 1,90,000 | 1,71,000 | 31,33,749 |
| 1990 | 2,30,000 | 2,07,000 | 38,19,730 |
| 1991 | 2,40,000 | 2,16,000 | 40,10,970 |
| 1992 | 2,65,000 | 2,40,000 | 44,16,820 |
| 1993 | 3,05,000 | 2,75,000 | 50,48,450 |
| 1994 | 3,45,000 | 3,10,000 | 56,82,170 |
| 1995 | 3,65,000 | 3,28,000 | 60,25,550 |
| 1996 | 3,92,500 | 3,53,000 | 64,65,910 |
| 1997 | 4,15,000 | 3,73,500 | 68,84,952 |
| 1998 | 435,000 | 391,500 | 7,207,590 |
| 1999 | 455,000 | 409,500 | 7,595,330 |
| 2000 | 477,500 | 430,000 | 8,056,480 |
| 2001 | 500,000 | 462,500 | 8,525,280 |
| 2002 | 5,25,000 | 486,000 | 8,825,320 |
| 2003 | 575,000 | 535,000 | 9,373,990 |
| 2004 | 602,500 | 560,500 | 9,707,280 |
| 2005 | 630,000 | 600,000 | 10,085,510 |
| 2006 | 655,000 | 625,000 | 10,378,710 |
| 2007 | 700,000 | 700,000 | 11,282,710 |
| 2008 | 750,000 | 750,000 | 11,812,000 |
| 2009 | 850,000 | 850,000 | 12,550,000 |
| 2010 | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 13,725,000 |
| 2011 | 1,100,000 | 1,100,000 | 14,600,000 |
| 2012 | 11,50,000 | 11,50,000 | 1,60,60,000 |
| 2013 | 16,00,000 | 16,00,000 | 2,25,60,000 |
| 2014 | 17,60,000 | 17,60,000 | 2,50,00,000 |
| 2015 | 18,80,000 | 18,80,000 | 2,67,50,000 |
| 2016 | 20,00,000 | 20,00,000 | 2,81,00,000 |
| 2017 | 22,00,000 | 22,00,000 | 3,16,00,000 |
| 2018 | 22,50,000 | 22,50,000 | 3,40,00,000 |
| 2019 | 23,50,000 | 23,50,000 | 3,80,00,000 |
| 2021 | 17,00,000 | 17,00,000 | 3,50,16,000 |
| 2022 | 20,00,000 | 20,00,000 | 4,03,50,000 |
| 2023 | 23,50,000 | 23,50,000 | 4,47,00,000 |
| 2024 | 27,00,000 | 27,00,000 | 5,00,00,000 |
Table sourced from Wimbledon official website
What to Expect in 2025?
As the 2025 Wimbledon Championships draw closer, all eyes will be on the prize fund announcement. Given the steady upward trend over the past two decades, the total prize fund is expected to surpass £55 million, cementing Wimbledon’s status as one of the most lucrative tennis events in history. Both men’s and women’s champions could take home £3 million each, setting new records in player earnings. The past 20 years have seen Wimbledon transform from a prestigious yet financially modest event into one of the richest tournaments in sports. This growth benefits not just the players but also fans, broadcasters, sponsors and the betting industry.