Blockbuster Clashes Locked In as United Cup 2026 Draw Unveiled
The stage is set for a thrilling start to the 2026 tennis season, with the official United Cup draw confirming a lineup packed with superstar power, national pride, and headline-worthy matchups. The fourth edition of the mixed-team event will take place from 2–11 January 2026, split between Perth and Sydney, with 18 countries placed into six groups of three.
Tennis greats Wally Masur and Jelena Dokic conducted the draw in Perth, joined by former pros Casey Dellacqua and Matt Ebden, giving fans a taste of the excitement to come.
Perth Draw: Defending Champions Return to Western Australia
Team USA, the reigning United Cup champions and top seeds, headline Group A and will make their return to Perth in 2026. Led by world No.3 Coco Gauff and world No.6 Taylor Fritz, the Americans will square off against Spain and Argentina in what promises to be a fiercely contested pool.
A stacked Group C brings together third seeds Italy, guided by world No.8 and dual 2024 major finalist Jasmine Paolini alongside rising ATP talent Flavio Cobolli, against a strong Team France and a Swiss squad boasting former Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka and world No.11 Belinda Bencic.
In Group E, Great Britain arrives with a refreshed roster featuring world No.10 Jack Draper and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu. They’ll battle Team Greece, led by stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, as well as debutants Team Japan, spearheaded by four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka and 2019 Junior Wimbledon champion Shintaro Mochizuki.
Sydney Draw: Big Names and Big Drama Ahead
Over in Sydney, the No.2 seeds Team Canada headline Group B, with world No.5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and rising WTA talent Victoria Mboko fronting the team. They’ll face Team Belgium and Team China.
Host nation Australia leads Group D, with world No.7 Alex de Minaur and new Australian No.1 Maya Joint forming an exciting pairing. Joining them are Team Czechia and Team Norway, headlined by former world No.2 Casper Ruud.
A powerhouse clash awaits in Group F, with 2024 champions Team Germany—featuring world No.3 Alexander Zverev and debutant Eva Lys—set to face Team Poland, fronted by world No.2 Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, along with Team Netherlands.
Organisers Expect a Spectacular Summer of Tennis
United Cup Tournament Director Stephen Farrow highlighted the strength and star power of the 2026 field.
“We’re extremely proud of this competition for what it represents and celebrates… To bring athletes together to play not just for big ranking points and prizemoney but for their country and national pride is what makes this competition so special,” Farrow said.
“Some of the top players in the world, truly engaged and wanting to win… We have a huge amount to look forward to in January.”
Western Australian Tourism Minister Reece Whitby MLA echoed the excitement, saying the state is ready to welcome back elite tennis and huge crowds.
“We are delighted to host USA and Italy for massive matches that will serve up another incredible year of major events for Western Australia… Events like the United Cup spotlight our vibrant capital city in the beautiful summertime.”
NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper emphasized Sydney’s global stage.
“As host city of the tournament’s biggest matches, the United Cup is one of the most anticipated events in Sydney’s summer of sport… The electric atmosphere of Ken Rosewall Arena will again showcase Sydney as one of the world’s great stages for international sport.”
Tickets and Schedule
- Full tournament schedule will be released Tuesday, 18 November.
- Group stage tickets go on sale Wednesday, 19 November, from 12:00pm local time.
- Adult tickets start at $40, while children aged 3–12 can attend from $20.
With superstar line-ups, cross-continental rivalries, and the unique thrill of mixed-team tennis, the United Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the blockbuster events of the summer.
United Cup 2026 Draw Table
| Location | Group | Teams |
| Perth | Group A | USA, Spain, Argentina |
| Group C | Italy, France, Switzerland | |
| Group E | Great Britain, Greece, Japan | |
| Sydney | Group B | Canada, Belgium, China |
| Group D | Australia, Czechia, Norway | |
| Group F | Germany, Poland, Netherlands |
