Credit One Bank has committed to paying the WTA-500 level players in Credit One Charleston Open field
equivalent to ATP-500 level events
LAS VEGAS, April 8, 2025 -- Credit One Bank has extended its title partnership with the Credit One Charleston Open through 2031 and, with this new commitment, is proud to provide equal prize money to players starting in 2026. This historic milestone reflects the bank's ongoing commitment to gender equality in sports and further solidifies Charleston's role as a leader on the Hologic WTA Tour.
With this move, the Credit One Charleston Open, North America's largest women's-only professional tennis tournament, becomes the first standalone WTA 500 tournament to voluntarily increase prize money prior to the 2033 deadline for all single-week WTA 1000 and 500 events to reward equal prize money.
"Credit One is proud to reaffirm our sponsorship of this premier all-women's tennis tournament through 2031," said Amber Greenwalt, SVP of Brand and Advertising for Credit One Bank. "Just as the Credit One Charleston Open has built a legacy of empowerment since 1973, Credit One is also dedicated to fostering momentum and celebrating achievements by empowering people in their financial journeys. In alignment with this vision, we are thrilled to confirm that next year's champion of the Charleston Open will receive compensation equal to that of their male counterparts in comparable tournaments. This commitment reflects our dedication to advancing equity both on and off the court, as we continue to champion progress and opportunity for all."
"At the Credit One Charleston Open, we believe in fostering an environment where all athletes are recognized and rewarded for their talent and dedication," said Ben Navarro, Credit One Charleston Open Tournament Owner. "Providing equal prize money in 2026 is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable future for tennis. We are proud to take this action as part of our ongoing commitment to support fairness in sports and lead by example for the next generation."
The tournament has a long history of breaking new ground in tennis, having been 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.
The inaugural champion, Rosie Casals, received a check for $30,000, which was the largest prize money payout awarded to a woman that year.
The prize money for the 2025 Credit One Charleston Open is $1,064,510. In 2026, the prize money would have been approximately $1.15 million, but in a commitment to equal pay, the purse will be increased to match ATP 500's, which typically offer more than $2 million in prize money. The exact purse for the 2026 Credit One Charleston Open will be finalized once the official prize money figures for the 2026 season are released.
"The Credit One Charleston Open has always been at the forefront of promoting women in sports, and we're incredibly proud of our legacy. We've broken attendance records year after year, drawing more than 90,000 attendees and 26 million international television viewers," said Navarro. "As North America's largest women's-only tennis tournament and one of the longest-running women's-only events in professional sports, we're not just celebrating the past - we're actively shaping the future."
The Credit One Charleston Open is the kick-off event of the clay season on the Hologic WTA Tour. The tournament was recently named the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for the third consecutive year.
The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 28 players and a doubles draw of 16 players.
Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages Credit One Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, renovated the 20-year-old facility in 2022. The city-owned venue underwent upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island. The renovation, funded by Ben and Kelly Navarro as a gift to the City of Charleston, modernized the site, creating the state-of-the-art Credit One Stadium.
The Credit One Charleston Open has been a pioneer in women's professional sports since 1973, paving the way for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect, and compensation in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event relocated to Charleston in 2001 and is now played at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to Credit One Stadium.
About the Credit One Charleston Open: The Credit One Charleston Open is North America's largest women-only tennis tournament. Formerly known as the Family Circle Cup and Volvo Car Open, the event relocated to Charleston, S.C., in 2001 from Hilton Head Island, S.C., and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. Recognized as the WTA 500 Event of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the tournament traditionally attracts more than 90,000 spectators each year. It features a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players. In partnership with Tennis Channel and WTA Media, the Credit One Charleston Open is broadcast from the first ball struck in main draw competition to the last ball played in the finals, reaching audiences across the U.S. and through 174 international partners. The tournament receives more than 100 hours of live tennis coverage, engaging millions of fans worldwide. The Credit One Charleston Open is owned and operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC. For more information, visit creditonecharlestonopen.com, call (843) 856-7900, email info@charlestontennisllc.com, Facebook (Credit One Charleston Open) , X (Twitter) (@CharlestonOpen) or Instagram (@CreditOneCharlestonOpen) .
About Credit One Bank: Credit One Bank is one of the fastest-growing credit card issuers in the U.S. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Las Vegas, Credit One Bank offers a full spectrum of credit card products including cash back and points-based cards as well as high-yield certificate of deposit and savings accounts. Credit One Bank is also an official partner of the Las Vegas Raiders and the Official Credit Card of NASCAR, the Vegas Golden Knights, and Best Friends Animal Society. Learn more at CreditOneBank.com, in our Newsroom, or on social media (@CreditOneBank) on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Credit One Bank Contact Information
Terri Maruca | Gage Morgan
Kirvin Doak Communications
CreditOneBank@kirvindoak.com
702.737.3100
This News is brought to you by Qube Mark, your trusted source for the latest updates and insights in marketing technology. Stay tuned for more groundbreaking innovations in the world of technology.
