What & When

The United Cup 2026, tennis’s exciting mixed-gender national team event, returns to Sydney for its fourth edition.

• Dates in Sydney: Group-stage matches run from 3 January to 7 January 2026. 
• The Sydney quarter finals will take place on 8 and 9 January inclusive. 
• The semi finals take place on 10 January, and the final is scheduled for 11 January, at Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.

How the Tournament Works

• There are 18 national teams, split into six groups of three.
• In Sydney, there are three groups: B, D, and F. 
• Each tie between countries includes:

1. One men’s singles match
2. One women’s singles match
3. One mixed doubles match

• Match format: Singles are best-of-three tie-break sets; mixed doubles is two tie-break sets, with a 10-point match tie-break if they split sets.
• Advancement: Group winners in Sydney move on to the quarterfinals, plus one “best runner-up” spot from the city. 
• The semis and final are both held in Sydney, making it the climax of the tournament.

Sydney’s Draw: The 2026 Groups

Here are the team groups playing in Sydney:

Group B: Canada, Belgium, China

Group D: Australia, Czechia, Norway

Group F: Germany, Poland, Netherlands

Note on Australia:

• Australia is led by Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint.
• Their first group match in Sydney is vs Norway on 3 January, followed by a tie against Czechia on 6 January. 
• Playing at home gives the Aussies a big advantage — and it's a great chance for local fans to cheer them on.

As the teams make their way over from Perth to Sydney for the finals, there is also a chance you can get to see Team USA, Team GB, Spain, Italy, Japan, Argentina, France, Switzerland or Greece depending on who progresses.

Tickets & Getting In

• Tickets for the Sydney group stages start from about AUD $40.
• Kids (aged 3–12) can attend from $20 for group stages.
• Public transport: United Cup tickets generally include travel on trains and metro to Olympic Park.
• There’s also a premium hospitality option called The Pavilion. It includes a lower-bowl match ticket, 4-hour beverage package, food stations/canapés, and great views over the practice court. 
• Parking: The nearest car parks are P3 and P4 at Sydney Olympic Park; best to pre-book.

Fan Experience & Activations

Whether you're a die-hard tennis fanatic or a curious tourist, the United Cup experience in Sydney has a lot to offer:

On-site Activations:

• Hit-the-Target (Tennis Hot Shots) — test your accuracy and win prizes. 
• Hot Shots Tennis Court — a kid-friendly court to play and have fun.
• POP Tennis Court — a smaller, fast-paced court with paddles — great energy, even for beginners.
• Kids on Court — young fans wearing Hot Shots shirts may be selected for coin toss duties or photo ops with players.
• United Cup Harbour Bridge photo spot — take a pic under the branded bridge, guess how many tennis balls are inside for a merch prize. 

Food and Drink:

• Wide variety of food trucks and vendors: pizza, sushi, pitta, juice bars, sweet treats.
• Bars include an Aperol bar and more, to suit both families and adult fans. 

Merchandise:

• Official 2026 United Cup merch is available on-site.

Why This Matters for Fans & Tourists

• Tennis Fans: You’ll get to see world-class male and female players competing not just individually but for their countries — plus mixed-doubles adds a fun twist.
• Team Spirit: The national team format gives the event a different energy to standard tour events — it's about pride, not just ranking points.
• Perfect Timing: Held just before the Australian Open, it’s a fantastic way to kick off your tennis summer.

Sydney Experience: Combining sport with sightseeing means you can blend match days with exploring one of Australia’s most iconic cities.