Billie Jean King Cup

Last Updated: 28 november 2025

The Billie Jean King Cup is a major international women’s tennis team tournament. It is organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). A similar tournament for men’s teams is the Davis Cup. 

Billie Jean King Cup 2026: Key Information and Dates

The seven teams that win their playoff groups next month will advance to the 2026 qualifying round. There, they will face the seven teams (excluding final host China) that competed in Shenzhen in September.

The remaining 14 teams that do not win the playoffs will continue to compete in Regional Group I next season.

2026 BJK Cup Schedule

• Week beginning April 6, 2026
  2026 Qualifiers
  — 14 countries, 7 home or away matches (2 days)
  2026 Regional Group I
  — Europe/Africa I
  — Americas I
  — Asia/Oceania I
• Week beginning September 21, 2026
  2026 Cup Final
  — 8 teams
• Week beginning November 16, 2026
  2026 Playoffs
  — 14 countries, 7 home or away matches (2 days)

Additional details will be published on the tournament’s official website at a later date.

Favorites

• Czech Republic: Multiple champions with a strong lineup, including Barbora Krejcikova.
• USA: A team with a rich history and talented players, such as Jessica Pegula.
• France: An experienced team capable of surprises.
• Australia: A team with strong singles and doubles.

History of the Cup

The idea for a women’s tournament originated in 1919, courtesy of American tennis player Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman. The proposal failed to gain support.

In the early 1960s, the idea was taken up again with the involvement of Mrs. Hopman. Her husband was a legendary Australian tennis player and captain of the Davis Cup team. Eventually, the women’s tournament was held in 1963 to mark the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation. Teams from any country were eligible to compete. The women’s tournament was deemed a success. Team USA became the winner of the tournament.

In the early stages, the women tennis players had no financial support. They had to provide for themselves entirely on their own account. With the emergence of sponsors in 1970, the number of participating teams wishing to participate in a women’s tennis tournament increased.

Such a major tennis event contributed to an even greater development of the sport in the host country.

Interesting facts

• History: The tournament has been held since 1963 and was renamed in honor of Billie Jean King in 2020.
• Format: Since 2020, the tournament has been held in a new format with the final round in one city.
• Record holders: The United States has won the Cup 18 times, which is a record.
• Legends: Players like Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams have brought victories to their teams on multiple occasions.

Results of the previous tournaments

2027 Billie Jean King Cup

The next Billie Jean King Cup is scheduled for 2027. Exact dates and locations have not yet been announced, but the tournament is expected to retain its status as the premier team event in women’s tennis.

Official website of the Cup

Keep an eye on the dates of tennis tournaments and other events in our Sports Events Calendar.