Australian Open make controversial prize money decision

January 13, 2026 Oliver Obel

The Australian Open is facing pushback from sections of its fanbase after unveiling a new prediction game that critics say highlights the tournament’s growing commercial focus ahead of this year’s event.

While attention is building around the on-court action in Melbourne, debate has shifted toward how organisers are marketing the tournament particularly through a high-value prize competition backed by a cryptocurrency company.

Stars return as tournament approaches

Reigning champion Jannik Sinner arrives at Melbourne Park seeking a third consecutive Australian Open title after lifting the trophy in both 2024 and 2025. The Italian has emerged as one of the dominant forces on hard courts and enters the season’s first Grand Slam as a central figure.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz is also expected to contend. Although the Spaniard has yet to win the Australian Open, he remains one of the sport’s biggest draws and is looking to add to his Grand Slam tally after splitting last year’s majors with Sinner.

Both players will compete not only for silverware but for a share of a significantly expanded prize pool.

Prize money increased across the draw

According to figures published on the Australian Open website, the tournament’s total prize pool has increased by 16 percent to $111.5 million (£82.6 million). Singles champions in both the men’s and women’s events will receive $4.15 million (£3.1 million), with substantial payouts extending deep into the draw.

Even players eliminated in the opening round are guaranteed $150,000 (£111,276), a figure organisers say reflects efforts to distribute earnings more evenly across the field.

Prediction game sparks backlash

Away from the courts, Tennis Australia has introduced the AO Bracket Challenge, a fan competition offering a top prize of $6.71 million (£4.99 million) for correctly predicting every match winner in either the men’s or women’s singles draws a total of 127 matches.

“This is a game of skill, not chance,” Tennis Australia Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis said while announcing the initiative. “The AO Bracket Challenge is about rewarding tennis knowledge and creating an exciting new way for fans to engage with the tournament.”

Entries must be submitted following the singles draws on January 15, with smaller cash prizes available for the highest-scoring brackets that fall short of perfection.

However, the promotion reported by SPORTbible has attracted criticism online, particularly because it is backed by cryptocurrency firm NEXO. Some fans questioned both the realism of the top prize and the tournament’s decision to partner with a crypto company.

One fan wrote that the promotion felt “grossly misleading,” arguing that the odds of anyone winning the headline sum were so small that it should be marketed differently. Others suggested the competition reinforced a perception that the Australian Open is becoming increasingly driven by revenue rather than supporters’ interests.

Tennis Australia has not responded publicly to the criticism, but the reaction highlights ongoing tensions between fan engagement initiatives and the commercial strategies now shaping elite tennis events.

Sources: Australian Open website, Tennis Australia, SPORTbible