United Cup 2026: Which stars are playing in the tournament? How to watch in India?
The 2026 tennis season kicks off with the United Cup, running from January 2 to January 11 across Perth and Sydney. Fans can watch the tournament on SonyLIV, via OTTplay Premium.
Last Updated: 03.02 PM, Jan 02, 2026
The 2026 tennis season has officially commenced with the fourth edition of the United Cup, a premier mixed-team event that has quickly become the favorite curtain-raiser for the Australian summer. Running from January 2 to January 11, 2026, the tournament spans two iconic cities, Perth and Sydney, and brings together the biggest names from both the ATP and WTA tours in a high-stakes battle for national glory.
Tournament details
Tournament: United Cup 2026
Dates: January 2 to January 11, 2026
Where can I watch the United Cup 2026 online?
Tennis fans in India can watch the United Cup 2026 live on SonyLIV via OTTplay Premium. Due to the time difference with Australia, morning sessions in Perth and Sydney typically will start around 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM IST, while evening sessions begin around 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM IST.
The star-studded lineup
The 2026 edition boasts one of the deepest fields in the tournament’s history, featuring five of the world’s top 10 men and four of the top 10 women.
Japan’s historic debut: In a massive boost for the tournament, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is making her United Cup debut, leading Team Japan alongside Shintaro Mochizuki.
Other notable stars include Emma Raducanu (Great Britain), Casper Ruud (Norway), and the evergreen Stan Wawrinka, who is captaining and playing for Switzerland.
Tournament format
The 18 countries are divided into six groups of three. The round-robin format ensures every tie is a "mini-event," consisting of:
Group winners and the best runner-up from each city advance to the quarterfinals, with the semifinals and the grand final taking place at the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.