The announcement marks the completion of a four-year pathway towards equal prize money at the highest-tier combined events outside the Grand Slams.
The Italian Open, Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open will join Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing in awarding the same total prize money to men and women at their combined 1000-level tournaments.
The Rome tournament had been scheduled to introduce equal prize money within three years of an announcement by the Italian Tennis Federation in 2023, but the target was not achieved by 2025. From 2027, however, the Italian Open will become part of the WTA's equal-prize-money group.
WTA Chair Valerie Camillo described the development as a major milestone for tennis, saying it reflects the organisation's commitment to competitive and financial equality for its athletes.
The move follows the WTA's 2023 strategy, which established a pathway towards equal prize money at combined WTA 1000 and 500 tournaments by 2027, with the longer-term objective of achieving parity at single-week events by 2033.
The 2027 WTA calendar will feature 55 tournaments across 26 countries and territories. The season-ending WTA Finals will also move to Charlotte, North Carolina, where it is scheduled to be held for at least three years from 2027.
The WTA is also introducing changes designed to give players greater flexibility in their schedules. Top-50 players will have their required WTA 500 commitments reduced from six to four tournaments in 2027, while players will also be allowed to replace one eligible WTA 1000 ranking result with a stronger result from a WTA 500 or WTA 250 event.
The WTA said the changes were developed through its Tour Architecture Council, which brings together players, tournaments and WTA leadership. A new Tournament Investment Fund will also provide targeted financial support to selected markets and tournaments.
The 2027 season will therefore represent a significant step in the WTA's long-term push towards equal prize money, with all combined WTA 1000 tournaments set to offer the same prize pool to male and female competitors.