The French Open has become the first Grand Slam to offer players a share of its revenue for prize money, a move that increases pressure on the US Open to finalize its prize fund. Players seek 16% of revenue immediately, rising to 22% by 2030.
Top tennis players met with Wimbledon, US Open, and Roland Garros officials to demand a significant prize money increase. Players seek a larger share of tournament revenue, citing the ATP/WTA Tours' 22% payout, and are awaiting Wimbledon's announcement on June 11th.
The Kolon Korea Open golf tournament's prize fund has been reduced to 1.4 billion Korean won (US$1 million) after LIV Golf withdrew its promised US$500,000 support. The purse was initially announced to be a record 2 billion won.
European nations wanted more merit-based prize moneyHigh costs of travel and hotels will exceed Fifa payoutsA number of leading European countries still expect to lose money at the World Cup despite Fifa increasing the prize and participation fund by $112m (£82m) this week.The main host federation, US Soccer, is also understood to be forecasting an operational loss on the tournament, although that will be more than offset by a projected $100m windfall from a revenue-sharing agreement from ticket sales with Fifa that will also benefit the two other co-hosts, Canada and Mexico. Continue reading...
Felicity Barnard, former commercial director at Arsenal and West Ham, has transformed Ascot since becoming CEO in January 2025. The racecourse attracted over 500,000 racegoers in 2025 – the only British racecourse to do so – and will offer a record £19.4m prize fund in 2026, including its first £2m King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Barnard credits her Premier League experience with teaching her marketing agility while emphasizing racing's unique blend of tradition and accessibility, with tickets starting at £25.
The AIG Women's Open has increased its prize fund for a sixth consecutive year to a record $10m (£7.4m), despite the tournament not being profitable. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said the organization treats the investment as "critical" for growing the women's game, with around 50,000 spectators expected at the 50th Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes from July 30-August 2. While the purse lags behind the men's Open Championship's $17m, Darbon said sustainability is key.
The AIG Women's Open will offer a record $10m (£7.4m) prize fund this year, marking a sixth consecutive increase despite the tournament not being profitable. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said the organization treats the investment as 'critical' while focusing on audience growth for the women's game. The championship runs July 30 - August 2 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, expected to draw 50,000 spectators for the 50th Women's Open.
Greg Koenig, the French head coach who transformed Hong Kong into a fencing powerhouse, has welcomed a new global fencing league as a positive move for the sport. Koenig, 47, who began coaching in Hong Kong in 2018 and has guided world No.1 Ryan Choi Chun-yin and double Olympic champion Cheung Ka-long, believes the competition brings fencing into a modern era with technology and new audience engagement while staying true to the sport's century-long evolution.
