Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will unofficially launch their 2026 seasons this Saturday with an exhibition match in South Korea at 2 a.m. ET. The match at Incheon’s Inspire Arena offers both stars a chance to shake off the offseason ahead of the Australian Open, which starts January 18, without playing any official matches beforehand. Exhibitions like this are becoming increasingly common in tennis, driven largely by the massive payouts these stars command.
Millions on the line in Alcaraz vs. Sinner exhibition
According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, both Alcaraz and Sinner will pocket roughly €2 million each, or about $2.33 million, for the unofficial Korean showdown. The world’s top two players were greeted with fanfare upon arrival, having wrapped up their preseason training at home before traveling first to Asia and then to Oceania.
In Melbourne, ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, the pair will appear in additional exhibitions. On January 14, they will compete in the One Point Slam, a unique event that pits professionals against amateurs in single-point matches, with the winner taking home $1 million. Alcaraz will face Alex de Minaur in another exhibition on January 15, while Sinner will take on Felix Auger-Aliassime the following day.
A chance for a multimillion-dollar January
Beyond exhibitions, the Australian Open itself promises big earnings. The tournament’s total prize money has jumped 16% to A$111.5 million (US$74.9 million), with the men’s and women’s singles champions set to earn A$4.15 million each, roughly US$2.79 million. With exhibitions and the Grand Slam combined, both players could close January with a significant financial boost.
Extortionate ticket prices for Alcaraz vs. Sinner
Excitement in South Korea is at a fever pitch for the clash between the world’s top-ranked players. Not surprisingly, ticket prices for the 15,000-seat event have soared. The cheapest seats start at $114, with prices rising depending on category: $190, $454, $606, $742, and $859, the latter two labeled Premium. Courtside tickets cost $1,045, a private box runs about $1,188, and the most expensive in-court experience goes for $2,406. South Korea has fully embraced this exhibition, which will bring in millions in revenue and significant global attention.
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