Credit One Charleston Open Secures Title Rights and Pioneers Equal Prize Money

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Credit One Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to the Credit One Charleston Open by extending its title partnership through 2031. In a landmark decision, Credit One is proud to announce equal prize money for female athletes, effective in 2026. This significant step underscores the bank`s ongoing commitment to gender equality in sports and further cements Charleston`s position as a leading venue on the Hologic WTA Tour.

Charleston: Draws | Scores | Order of play

This initiative elevates the Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women`s-only professional tennis tournament in North America, to become the first standalone WTA 500 tournament to voluntarily commit to equal prize money ahead of the 2033 deadline set for all single-week WTA 1000 and 500 events.

“Credit One is honored to continue our sponsorship of this prestigious women’s tennis tournament through 2031,” stated Amber Greenwalt, SVP of Brand and Advertising for Credit One Bank. “Mirroring the Credit One Charleston Open’s legacy of empowerment since 1973, Credit One is committed to driving progress and celebrating achievements by empowering individuals on their financial journeys. In line with this vision, we are delighted to confirm that starting next year, the Charleston Open champion will receive equal compensation to their male counterparts in comparable tournaments. This pledge reflects our dedication to promoting equity both on and off the court, as we continue to champion advancement and opportunity for all.”

`At the Credit One Charleston Open, we are dedicated to cultivating an environment where every athlete is valued and rewarded for their talent and commitment,” shared Ben Navarro, Credit One Charleston Open Tournament Owner.

“Implementing equal prize money in 2026 is a crucial stride towards building a more inclusive and just future for tennis. We are proud to take this action as part of our continuous efforts to support fairness in sports and set a positive example for future generations.`

The tournament boasts a rich history of innovation in tennis, notably being the first women’s tennis event to offer $100,000 in prize money in 1973 and the first to be broadcast live on network television. Rosie Casals, the inaugural champion, received a check for $30,000, the largest prize money awarded to a woman that year.

The prize money for the 2025 Credit One Charleston Open is set at $1,064,510. While projections for 2026 prize money were approximately $1.15 million, the commitment to equal pay will see the purse increased to match ATP 500 events, which typically offer over $2 million. The finalized purse for the 2026 Credit One Charleston Open will be announced upon the release of the official prize money figures for the 2026 season.

`The Credit One Charleston Open has consistently championed women in sports, and we deeply value our heritage. We have consistently broken attendance records, welcoming over 90,000 attendees and 26 million international television viewers,” Navarro added. “As North America’s premier women’s-only tennis tournament and one of the longest-standing women’s-only events in professional sports, we are not just celebrating our history – we are actively shaping the future.”

The Credit One Charleston Open marks the beginning of the clay season on the Hologic WTA Tour and has been honored as the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for the third consecutive year.

The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open features a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 28 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players.

Charleston Tennis, LLC, managing Credit One Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, completed renovations of the 20-year-old facility in 2022. These city-owned venue upgrades enhanced the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players, and event management, enabling the venue to attract top-tier athletes and talent to Daniel Island. Funded by Ben and Kelly Navarro as a gift to the City of Charleston, the renovation modernized the site, creating the state-of-the-art Credit One Stadium.

Since 1973, the Credit One Charleston Open has been a trailblazer in women’s professional sports, leading the way for female tennis players to achieve equal recognition, respect, and compensation in the sport. Originally hosted on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is currently held at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home of Credit One Stadium.