Beginner's Guide to Billie Jean King Cup 2025

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 2025 Billie Jean King Cup?

The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup will kick-start with the Qualifiers. Each Qualifiers event will be held in one location over three days on either 10-12 or 11-13 April, with the host nation having the choice of surface.

The 2025 Qualifiers will be played as six groups of three nations in a round-robin format. The winning nation from each group will progress to the Finals- joining defending champions Italy and host nation China who have automatically qualified.

Earlier this year, Shenzhen was confirmed as the host of the Finals for 2025-2027.

The nations that finish in second and third place in each group at the Qualifiers will go on to compete in the 2025 Play-offs alongside the best performing teams from the 2025 Regional Group I events.

Key Billie Jean King Cup 2025 dates

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. Six of those teams will consist of the winners from each group at the Qualifiers while defending champions Italy and host nation China will receive automatic entry.

Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers: Qualifiers will consist of six groups made up of three teams who will go head-to-head across three days. The six group winners will progress to the 2025 Finals. The remaining 12 nations will compete in the Play-offs later in the year.

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 2024?

Last year saw Italy claim their first Billie Jean King Cup crown in 11 years after defeating Slovakia 2-0.

Lucia Bronzetti got the Italians off to a flying start when she defeated Viktoria Hruncakova 6-2, 6-4 before Jasmine Poalini dispatched Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1.

Which teams are competing at the Billie Jean King Cup 2025?

Six of the following nations will advance to November's Finals and join reigning champions Italy and host nation China who have already secured their spots in the final eight.

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 Qualifiers will be available soon.