CHARLESTON, S.C. – Credit One Bank has prolonged its partnership as the title sponsor of the Charleston Open until 2031. With this renewed dedication, Credit One is proud to announce equal prize money for male and female athletes starting in 2026. This significant step underscores the bank`s dedication to gender equality in sports and strengthens Charleston`s position as a leading city in the Hologic WTA Tour.
The Credit One Charleston Open, the largest professional women`s tennis tournament in North America, will be the first independent WTA 500 event to proactively implement equal prize money ahead of the 2033 deadline set for all single-week WTA 1000 and 500 tournaments.
Amber Greenwalt, SVP of Brand and Advertising for Credit One Bank, stated, “Credit One is thrilled to continue sponsoring this prestigious women’s tennis tournament through 2031. Just as the Charleston Open has fostered empowerment since 1973, Credit One is committed to empowering individuals in their financial lives. In line with this vision, we are excited to confirm that starting next year, the Charleston Open champion will receive the same prize money as their male counterparts in comparable tournaments. This commitment showcases our dedication to promoting equality both on and off the court, championing progress and opportunity for everyone.”
Ben Navarro, owner of the Credit One Charleston Open Tournament, commented, “At the Credit One Charleston Open, we are committed to creating an environment where all athletes are valued and rewarded for their talent and hard work.
“Providing equal prize money in 2026 is a crucial step towards a more inclusive and fair future for tennis. We are proud to take this action as part of our continued efforts to support fairness in sports and set an example for future generations.”
The tournament has a rich history of innovation in tennis, 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 first champion, received $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 around $1.15 million, the commitment to equal pay will increase the purse to match ATP 500 events, which typically offer over $2 million. The exact prize money for the 2026 Credit One Charleston Open will be finalized when official figures for the 2026 season are released.
Navarro added, “The Credit One Charleston Open has always been a leader in promoting women in sports, and we are incredibly proud of our history. We have consistently broken attendance records, attracting over 90,000 attendees and 26 million international television viewers. As North America`s largest women`s-only tennis tournament and one of the longest-running women`s-only events in professional sports, we are not just celebrating our past – we are actively building the future.”
The Credit One Charleston Open marks the beginning of the clay season on the Hologic WTA Tour and has been recognized as the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for the third year in a row.
The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open features a 48-player singles draw, a 28-player qualifying draw, and a 16-player doubles draw.
Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages Credit One Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, completed renovations of the 20-year-old facility in 2022. Funded by Ben and Kelly Navarro as a gift to the City of Charleston, the city-owned venue was upgraded to enhance the experience for attendees, performers, tennis players, and event management, enabling the venue to attract top-tier athletes and talent to Daniel Island. The renovation modernized the site, creating the state-of-the-art Credit One Stadium.
Since 1973, the Credit One Charleston Open has been a pioneer in women`s professional sports, leading the way for female tennis players to achieve equal recognition, respect, and compensation in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is currently played at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to Credit One Stadium.
