The New Year brings happy tidings for players on BWF’s new-look World Tour, with significant increase in prize money across all levels of tournaments.

Levels 1 and 2 have seen a record-shattering increase of prize money. The season-ending World Tour Finals 2018 (Level 1) will have US$1.5 million up for grabs, with singles winners standing to take home eight percent of the total prize money – or US$120,000 – each and doubles winners US$126,000 (8.40 percent). Runners-up in both singles and doubles will make US$60,000.

It is not just the winners and runners-up who will be striking it rich – even the fourth-placed players and pairs of the respective groups will return home will substantial purses. Fourth-placed singles players will make US$9,000 each and doubles pairs US$10,500 each.

For Levels 2 and 3, singles and doubles winners will be rewarded 7 percent and 7.40 percent of the total prize purse respectively.

The three Level 2 events – All England, China Open and Indonesia Open – are offering US$1 million or above. The Indonesia Open is offering US$1.25 million, with singles winners rewarded US$87,500 each and doubles winners US$92,500 (winning pair). This is quite a jump compared to the previous season, when the singles champions won US$75,000 and the doubles pairs US$79,000 each. The total prize purse in US$700,000 for Level 3, US$350,000 for Level 4, and US$150,000 for Level 5.

The new prize money structure ensures that even early round losers in Level 2 and Level 3 don’t return home empty-handed. Levels 2 and 3 will see 0.10 percent of the prize purse allocated for first round losers. First round casualties at the Indonesia Open, for instance, will make US$1,250. Losing semi-finalists (singles and doubles) return home richer by US$17,500.

Similarly, the All England and the China Open too have seen a spike in prize money, with singles winners assured of US$70,000 and doubles winners US$74,000. All losing semi-finalists will be awarded US$14,000 each.

For Levels 4 to 6, singles champions will win 7.50 percent and doubles champions 7.90 percent of the total prize money. Losers in the round of 16 will win 0.35 percent (singles) and 0.375 percent (doubles) of the total prize purse.

FEATURED IMAGE: Kidambi Srikanth of India