The fourth edition of the United Cup kicks off the 2026 tennis season with a spectacular showcase of international talent, running from Friday, January 2 to Sunday, January 11 across Perth and Sydney, Australia. Five of the world’s Top 10 men and four of the world’s Top 10 women are among the international tennis superstars committed to compete, making this the most star-studded edition yet of the innovative mixed team competition.
Star-Studded Field Headlines Australian Summer Tennis
Two-time champions Team USA, led by world No.3 Coco Gauff and world No.6 Taylor Fritz, have been named as the top seeds in 2026, returning to defend their title. The Americans captured the 2025 crown with a dominant performance and enter as favorites to complete a three-peat.
Six-time Grand Slam champion and world No.2 Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz lead Poland for the country’s fourth appearance, while world No.3 Alexander Zverev will spearhead Team Germany alongside newcomer Eva Lys in pursuit of a second United Cup title. Germany won the 2024 edition with Zverev proving decisive in the final.
Team Japan makes its debut at the event this summer with four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1 Naomi Osaka lining up with 2019 Junior Wimbledon champion Shintaro Mochizuki. Osaka’s return to team competition adds another layer of intrigue to the tournament.
Other standout names competing include Alex de Minaur, Jasmine Paolini, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jack Draper, Emma Raducanu, Belinda Bencic, Stan Wawrinka, Jakub Mensik, Flavio Cobolli, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari.
The Complete Draw: Six Groups Across Two Cities
Eighteen countries were drawn into six groups of three teams at the official draw ceremony, with icons of the game Wally Masur and Jelena Dokic on hand for the proceedings.
Perth Groups (RAC Arena):
Defending champions Team USA headline Group A, going head-to-head with Spain and Argentina in the group stage. Third seeds Team Italy, guided by world No.8 Jasmine Paolini and rising star Flavio Cobolli, will meet Team France and Team Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka and world No.11 Belinda Bencic in Group C. Team Great Britain, featuring world No.10 Jack Draper and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, will headline Group E alongside Team Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari and debutant Team Japan led by Naomi Osaka.
Sydney Groups (Ken Rosewall Arena):
World No.5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and teenage talent Victoria Mboko top Group B as the No.2 seeds, facing Team Belgium and Team China. Group D will feature Team Australia led by world No.7 Alex de Minaur and the nation’s new top-ranked woman, world No.32 Maya Joint, alongside Team Czechia and Casper Ruud’s Team Norway. United Cup 2024 champions Team Germany, led by Alexander Zverev, will star in Group F alongside Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz and Team Netherlands.
Tournament Format and Prize Money
In the group stage, the 18 teams will be split into six groups of three in round-robin format. Groups A, C and E will compete in Perth from January 2-6, while Groups B, D and F will play in Sydney from January 3-7. The group winners and two best runners-up will advance to the quarterfinals, with Perth hosting its two quarterfinals on January 7 and Sydney hosting one each on January 8-9.
Each tie consists of one men’s singles and one women’s singles match featuring the countries’ top singles players, and one mixed doubles match. Singles matches are best of three tiebreak sets, while mixed doubles matches are two tiebreak sets with a deciding 10-point match tiebreak if needed.
The innovative mixed team tennis event will see players compete for the coveted trophy, a minimum AUD $17 million in prize money and 500 PIF ATP and WTA ranking points.
Championship Predictions
Team USA enters as the clear favorite to claim a third consecutive title. With Coco Gauff’s dominant form and Taylor Fritz’s consistency, the Americans possess the strongest overall pairing in the field. Their experience in team competitions and proven chemistry makes them the team to beat.
Team Italy presents a formidable challenge with Jasmine Paolini’s remarkable form and the added advantage of having reigning US Open mixed doubles champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani available if matches go the distance.
Team Canada could emerge as the dark horse. With Félix Auger-Aliassime producing some of the most consistent tennis of his career and teenage champion Victoria Mboko set for her debut, 2026 gives the Canucks a realistic shot at adding to their trophy cabinet. Mboko produced one of the standout stories of the 2025 season, defeating Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka en route to her first WTA 1000 title at the Canadian Open.
Team Germany cannot be overlooked, with Alexander Zverev’s pedigree in team events well documented. The 2024 champions know what it takes to win in Australia.
The Poland vs Germany showdown in Group F could prove decisive for the entire tournament, with Swiatek-Zverev and Hurkacz facing off in what promises to be a blockbuster group stage clash.
Key Matches to Watch
United Cup 2026 marks the return of Jack Draper, a leading player in 2025 before an arm injury forced him to end his season after the US Open. His clash against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in Group E promises fireworks.
Host nation Australia will kick off its campaign against Casper Ruud’s Team Norway on Saturday, January 3. The de Minaur vs Ruud battle could prove crucial for quarterfinal hopes.
Tournament Details:
- Dates: January 2-11, 2026
- Locations: RAC Arena, Perth & Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney
- Total Matches: 75
- Prize Money: Minimum AUD $17 million
- Ranking Points: Up to 500 ATP/WTA points
