The field of participants in the single competition consisted of 48 players, that of the doubles competition consisted of 16 pairs. The 16 top seeded players each received a bye into the second round. The total prize pool was $ 1,629,475; total financial liabilities were $ 1,877,705.
The qualification for the Citi Open 2016 took place on July 16 and 17, 2016. Six qualifiers were played in singles and a pairing in doubles, which entitle them to participate in the main field.
At the Citi Open 2016, the following prize money and world ranking points were paid out or credited for reaching the respective round. Players who entered the main field from qualification received the specified qualification points in addition to those for reaching the respective round. Otherwise the amounts are not to be understood as cumulative. The amounts for the double competition apply to each team.