As we approach the commencement of the 2026 tennis season, excitement is building for the fourth edition of the United Cup, set to take place from January 2 to January 11 in Australia. This unique competition celebrates the prowess of both male and female athletes, providing them a platform to represent their nations while vying for significant ranking points and prize money.
Stephen Farrow, the Tournament Director for the United Cup, expressed pride in the event, underscoring its essence as a celebration of tennis and its diverse athletes. “This competition is incredibly special because it unites players not just for personal glory, but for national pride,” he remarked. The tournament will be hosted in two venues: Perth’s RAC Arena and Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, with group matches spread across the first week and quarter-finals following closely after.
The draw revealed that 18 countries will compete in six groups, each comprising three teams. The official ceremony took place at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, attended by tennis legends such as Wally Masur and Jelena Dokic, alongside Casey Dellacqua and Matt Ebden. The competition is structured so that the matches in Perth will occur from January 2 to 6, while Sydney will host its matches from January 3 to 7. The quarter-finals will unfold in the second week, culminating in the semi-finals on January 10 and the grand finale on January 11.
Team Poland, with star players Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, aims for redemption following their runner-up finish against Team USA in the previous edition. They will open their campaign in Sydney, facing a formidable Team Germany, led by World No. 3 Alexander Zverev.
The Canadian side will be represented by World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and the promising Victoria Mboko, who are poised to tackle Group B against Belgium and China. Meanwhile, host nation Australia will field a strong lineup featuring World No. 7 Alex de Minaur and rising talent Maya Joint in Group D.
Leading Team Great Britain will be Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper, facing off against Greece, spearheaded by Maria Sakkari and Japan, which features the highly skilled Naomi Osaka. Raducanu holds an impressive 5-0 record against both previous competitors, bolstering Great Britain’s chances.
Each team in the event consists of three men and three women, who will engage in a round-robin format that includes a men’s singles match, a women’s singles match, and a mixed doubles contest. The best-performing teams will move on to the knockout stage, with a total of US$11 million in prize money and crucial ATP and WTA ranking points on the line.
The United Cup stands not only as a showcase for tennis excellence but also as a testament to the sport’s ability to unite cultures and nations through athletic competition, making this tournament an eagerly awaited event for fans and players alike. With both seasoned veterans and emerging stars preparing for competition, the anticipation is palpable as teams gear up for thrilling matchups in the new year.
