Beginner's Guide to Billie Jean King Cup 2026
• 4 minute read
The Billie Jean King Cup is unlike any other tournament in women’s tennis. Known as the World Cup of tennis, the Billie Jean King Cup is the leading international team competition in the women’s game.
Originally launched as the Federation Cup in 1963, the tournament has since gone through two name changes - more recently switching from the Fed Cup to the Billie Jean King Cup in September 2020 in honour of former world No.1, Billie Jean King.
As the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup gets underway, we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to all the must-know information surrounding the tournament, how it works and Great Britain’s history at the event.
What is the structure of the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup?
The 2026 Billie Jean King Cup will kick-start with the Qualifiers. This year the Qualifiers will be played as one home-or-away tie against one other nation, with the winner progressing to the Finals.
These Qualifiers will be played on the 10-11 April. Great Britain have been drawns in an away tie against Australia.
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals are set to take place in Shenzhen, China, later in September.
The nations that lose in the Qualifiers will go on to compete in the 2026 Play-offs alongside the best performing teams from the 2026 Regional Group I events.
Key Billie Jean King Cup 2026 dates
|
10-11 April |
Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers |
|
w/c 21 September |
Billie Jean King Cup Finals |
| w/c 16 November |
Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs |
What is the scoring format at the Billie Jean King Cup?
Billie Jean King Cup Finals: The Finals will follow a knockout draw (quarter-finals, semi-finals, final) with eight teams competing to take home the crown.
Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers: Qualifiers will consist seven home-or-away ties with the winners progressing to the Finals. Ties are played as best of five matches - four singles and one doubles.
Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs: This year's Play-offs will follow a round-robin format with seven groups of three teams. There will be one host nation per group with the Play-offs taking place across three days. The seven group winners will then progress to the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers.
Regional Groups I-IV: Groups I-IV will be divided into regions: Africa, Americas, Asia/Oceana and Europe/Africa. Group I is the highest regional division and Group IV the lowest.
Who won the Billie Jean King Cup in 2025?
Last year saw Italy defend their title with a 2-0 win against USA in the final.
Great Britain reached the semi-finals for the third time in four years but eventually lost out to the American team 2-0.
Which teams are competing at the Billie Jean King Cup 2025?
Here is the draw for the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers:
- Italy (1) (c) v Japan
- USA (2) v Belgium (c)
- Great Britain (3) v Australia (c*)
- Canada (4) v Kazakhstan (c)
- Spain (5) v Slovenia (c*)
- Czechia (6) v Switzerland (c)
- Poland (7) v Ukraine (c)
(c) = Choice of ground
(c*) = Choice of ground decided by lot
How many players are in each Billie Jean King Cup team?
Each nation assembles a team of four or five players, with the country captain deciding which players will compete in the singles and doubles matches.
Great Britain’s history in the Billie Jean King Cup
Great Britain are one of four nations to have competed in all editions of the tournament since it’s creation and have made it to the Finals on five occasions but are yet to lift the title.
Where to watch the Billie Jean King Cup
Information regarding where to watch the Billie Jean King Cup Finals will be available soon.
