Yes, Melbourne plays host to the Australian Open tennis, but our summer of tennis action actually hits off in Sydney with the United Cup. Now in its fourth year, this international mixed tennis tournament sees top male/female teams from 18 countries compete in Sydney and Perth.
In 2026, there'll be five of the world's top 10 men and four of the top 10 women tennis players including Alex de Minaur, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Iga Świątek, Alexander Zverev, Jasmine Paolini, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Jack Draper. Other pros include Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Belinda Bencic, Stan Wawrinka, Stefanos Tsitsipas and more.
What sets the United Cup apart from other tournaments? It's where teamwork makes the dream work. Yes, it's not an individual event but rather a country-versus-country tennis tournament with tons of camaraderie. Each team is made up of men and women in this mixed tennis tournament.
Want to know more? We answer all your United Cup FAQs.
When is the United Cup 2026?
The United Cup will start in Perth on January 2. The first Sydney games will begin on January 3. Games will be played in Sydney every day with day sessions beginning at 10.30am and night sessions starting at 5.30pm.
When are the United Cup finals?
The United Cup finals will be played in Sydney. The semi-finals are on January 10 and the final is on January 11 at 5.30pm.
Where is the United Cup being played?
The United Cup will be played in Sydney in the Ken Rosewall Arena (don't worry, it has a roof cover in case of rain) at Sydney Olympic Park and in Perth at the RAC Arena.
What's the format of the United Cup?
The United Cup is played in a team competition format. There are teams from 18 different countries, each of which is made up of three men and three women. Countries are split into six groups; each group has three countries competing against each other. In the round-robin stage, there will be one men’s singles match and one women’s singles match, followed by one mixed doubles match. Group winners in each city will advance to the quarter finals; winners progress to the semi-finals and finals in Sydney.
How much are United Cup tickets?
United Cup tickets start from just $40, and are sold via Ticketmaster.
What is the prize money for the United Cup?
There is a minimum of AUD $17 million in prize money up for grabs.
Who are the current United Cup champions?
In 2025, Team USA won the United Cup.