ATP 250 vs. 500 Tournaments: The Core of Men’s Professional Tennis Circuits

ATP 250 and 500 tournaments anchor the men’s professional tennis calendar, bridging the gap between elite Grand Slams and Masters 1000s while providing essential ranking points and earnings for a wide range of players.

These events, categorized by the points awarded to singles champions, vary in scale and appeal, influencing how athletes schedule their seasons and build toward higher-tier competitions. While specifics like event counts and rules evolve annually, the core distinctions remain consistent, with 500s offering greater rewards and drawing stronger fields.

ATP 250s function as accessible entry points, often featuring emerging talents and regional favorites in smaller draws. In contrast, ATP 500s elevate the competition, mandating participation from top-ranked players and incorporating advanced features like expanded video review.

Points allocation underscores the hierarchy. Singles winners at 250-level events earn 250 ranking points, dropping to 165 for finalists, 100 for semifinalists, 50 for quarterfinalists and 25 for round-of-16 participants. ATP 500s double these figures: 500 for champions, 330 for runners-up, 200 for semifinalists, 100 for quarterfinalists and 50 for the round of 16. Doubles follows suit, with winning teams sharing equivalent points at each level.

Draw sizes typically range from 28 to 32 players for 250s, expanding to 32 or 48 for many 500s, which can adjust points slightly for additional rounds. Prize money scales accordingly, with 250s offering total purses from about $500,000 to $1 million—champions claiming $80,000 to $200,000—and 500s exceeding $1 million, often up to $2.5 million, per ATP guidelines. Exact amounts vary by location and year, as seen in official calendars.

Player commitments highlight the prestige gap. Top-30 ranked athletes must enter a set number of 500s—three as of recent seasons, including one post-U.S. Open—to qualify for bonuses, with no such obligation for 250s. This ensures star power at 500s, while 250s prioritize development, granting wild cards to locals or prospects ranked as low as 100 or below.

In the rankings mechanism, results from these tournaments contribute to a player’s best 18 events (or 19 if qualifying for finals), allowing up to three 250 or 500 outcomes to replace weaker Masters 1000 showings under certain rules. A 500 title can propel a mid-ranked pro toward top-10 seeding, while consistent 250 runs build foundational points.

Reality checks reveal variations: event numbers fluctuate—29 for 250s and 16 for 500s in a typical recent year—with some 250s upgrading to 500 status, like Dallas or Doha, to enhance global distribution. Surfaces span hard, clay and grass, clustering regionally for efficiency, but early-round competitiveness intensifies due to zero points for first-round losses.

EXAMPLE: Brisbane International (ATP 250) vs. Rotterdam Open (ATP 500).

Brisbane’s hard-court event suits early-season preparation with a $661,585 purse and 32-player draw, ideal for tune-ups. Rotterdam, meanwhile, commands a $2.2 million pot, attracting top seeds and featuring video review on all courts for precise officiating.

Over time, the ATP refines these categories through scheduling tweaks, like reducing countable events for flexibility or introducing profit-sharing at 500s to align player and organizer interests. Trends favor fewer but richer 250s, with technology rollouts—such as video review—phased in starting at higher tiers.

The WTA employs a parallel structure, with 250s and 500s mirroring points and draws but adjusted for women’s tour specifics, including 22 to 25 events at 250 level and 17 at 500 in recent calendars.

Takeaway: ATP 500s provide double the points and larger purses than 250s, accelerating rankings climbs for consistent performers.