Melbourne is famous for its tennis – but the summer action actually hits off in Sydney (as well as Perth), with the United Cup. Now in its third year, this international mixed tennis tournament sees top male-female teams from 18 countries hit it out at stadiums in two Australian cities (Sydney and Perth), with the finals played in Sydney.
Big names including Australia's own Alex de Minaur, Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas, Poland's Iga Swiatek, America's Coco Gauff, and Germany's Alexander Zverev will compete in the tournament.
The fun thing about the United Cup that sets it apart from, say, the Australian Open, is the fact that these big-name players are relying on the success of their teammates, as well as themselves. It's a country-versus-country tennis tournament, as opposed to individual-versus-individual. So there's a team camaraderie on the sidelines that you don't get at the Grand Slams. And then there's the fact that the teams are made up of men and women – it's a genuinely mixed tennis tournament.
We answer all your United Cup FAQs.
When is the United Cup?
The United Cup will start in Perth on December 27, 2024, and the first Sydney games will begin the next day, on December 28 – games will be played in Sydney every day from then until January 5, 2025. In Sydney, there are both day sessions (which begin at 10.30am) and night sessions (which begin at 5.30pm).
When are the United Cup finals?
The United Cup finals will be played in Sydney. The Semi-Finals are on January 4 (10.30am and 5.30pm), and the thrilling Final is on January 5 (5.30pm).
Where is the United Cup being played?
The United Cup will be played in both Sydney and Perth. The Sydney games will all be played in the Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park.
What is the United Cup, and what's the format?
This will be the third annual United Cup, which is played in a team competition format. Teams from 18 different countries will go racquet to racquet – and each team 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 featuring the number-one ranked singles players, followed by one mixed doubles match.
Group winners in each city will advance to the Quarter Finals, with one Quarter-Final spot in each city awarded to the best runner-up in that city. Winners progress to the Semi-Finals and Finals in Sydney.
Which famous players will compete in the United Cup?
In the Sydney round-robin games of the United Cup, people in Sydney (and those watching on TV) will be able to watch the Australian team led by world number eight Alex de Minaur and Olivia Gadecki – they'll be competing in Group F against Great Britain with Jack Draper and Katie Boulter and Team Argentina. In Sydney, also look forward to five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz from Poland. World number three Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz will be representing the USA in Perth; as will Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari's Team Greece.
View the list of United Cup committed players, here.
Which countries are playing in this United Cup?
Eighteen nations are competing in this United Cup tournament. In Sydney, for the round-robin games you will be able to watch these countries play in the following groups:
Group B
Poland
Czechia
Norway
Group D
France
Italy
Switzerland
Group F
Great Britain
Australia
Argentina
These are the groups playing in Perth:
Group A
USA
Canada
Croatia
Group C
Greece
Kazakhstan
Spain
Group E
Germany
China
Brazil
What's the United Cup schedule?
To view the schedule and buy tickets to games, click here.
How much are United Cup tickets?
United Cup tickets start from just $40, and you can pick them up over here. (Tickets for kids aged 3 to 12 are just $20. And family passes – two adults and two kids – start from $100.)
Is the United Cup tennis under cover if it rains?
Yes, the Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park is covered by a roof, so you won't get wet if it's raining.
What is the prize money for the United Cup?
There is a minimum of AUD $15 million in prize money up for grabs this year.
Who won the United Cup last year/2024?
In 2024, Germany won the inaugural United Cup.