What Is the Billie Jean King Cup?

The world cup of women’s tennis, explained: how the competition works, Australia’s history in it, and what to know for the 2026 season.

The Billie Jean King Cup is the premier international team competition in women’s tennis.

It’s the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup, pitting national teams against each other across a multi-stage format that runs throughout the year.

Over 130 nations compete, making it the largest annual international team event in women’s sport.

If you’ve heard of the Fed Cup, you already know this tournament. It ran under that name from 1995 to 2020, and before that as the Federation Cup from its launch in 1963.

The rebrand to the Billie Jean King Cup came in September 2020, honouring the tennis legend who won the competition 10 times: seven as a player, once as a playing captain, and three more as a captain.

It was the first major global team competition named after a woman.

How the Billie Jean King Cup Works

The competition follows a tiered structure similar to the Davis Cup. At the top level, eight nations contest the Finals, a week-long event held at a single venue.

Below that, teams move through qualifiers, play-offs and regional group stages to earn their spot.

At the Finals, each tie (match between two nations) consists of three matches: two singles and one doubles, with the winning team taking two of three.

For the 2026 Qualifiers, the format is different: four singles matches and one doubles match played over two days. All matches are best-of-three sets.

For 2026, the qualifying round has returned to a home-and-away format, with the doubles match now played first on day two, followed by two reverse singles matches.

Seven teams progress from the qualifiers to join the defending champion at the Finals.

The losing teams from the qualifiers drop into the play-offs, where they compete to remain in the top tier for the following year.

Below the qualifier level, regional group stages across the Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa zones determine which nations move up and which get relegated.

The pathway from the lowest regional group to the Finals can take several years, which is what makes the team rankings and seedings matter across seasons.

Australia and the Billie Jean King Cup

Australia has one of the strongest records in the competition’s history.

The country sits second on the all-time winners list behind the United States and has competed in every edition since the tournament’s inception in 1963.

Australian greats including Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Alicia Molik have all represented the country in the competition.

Australia won six titles in the tournament’s first decade (1964, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973), adding a seventh in 1974, establishing a dominance that set the tone for the nation’s ongoing involvement.

For 2026, Australia faces Great Britain in the qualifying round, with the tie hosted at John Cain Arena at Melbourne Park.

The winner advances to the Finals in Shenzhen, China in September.

Rising players Maya Joint and Talia Gibson are among those in the frame for selection, with Australia looking to return to the Finals after reaching the semi-finals multiple times in recent years.

2026 Billie Jean King Cup Season

Italy enters 2026 as the two-time defending champion, having beaten the United States 2-0 in the 2025 final.

The Italians have been the dominant force in recent years, with Jasmine Paolini a key figure in their success.

The 2026 Finals are scheduled for September 22 to 27 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in China, played on indoor hard courts.

Eight nations will compete: the defending champion Italy, plus seven qualifiers.

The qualifying round takes place on April 10 to 11, with 14 teams playing seven home-and-away ties.

Below the top tier, regional group stages across Asia/Oceania, the Americas and Europe/Africa run from April through June, with results determining promotion and relegation for the 2027 season.

The depth of the competition means that tennis-playing nations at every level have a pathway into the top tier.

Why the Billie Jean King Cup Matters

Team tennis is a different beast to the individual tour.

Players who thrive under the pressure of representing their country in front of a home crowd don’t always overlap with the top of the WTA rankings.

The atmosphere at home ties, particularly in smaller nations where tennis rarely gets a spotlight, can be electric.

The competition also gives younger players early international experience.

A 19-year-old making her BJK Cup debut alongside established professionals gains exposure to high-pressure team tennis that the regular tour simply can’t replicate.

For Australian tennis, the competition has historically been a proving ground for emerging talent before they establish themselves on the WTA circuit.

From a betting perspective, the BJK Cup offers something different to standard WTA tour events.

The team format, the surface variations across home-and-away ties, and the pressure of representing a country all introduce variables that don’t exist in regular tournament tennis.

FAQ

What was the Billie Jean King Cup previously called?

The competition was known as the Federation Cup from 1963 to 1995, then as the Fed Cup from 1995 to 2020. It was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in September 2020.

How many countries compete in the Billie Jean King Cup?

Over 130 nations enter the competition each year, making it the largest annual international team event in women’s sport. The 2023 edition had a record 135 entries.

How many times has Australia won the Billie Jean King Cup?

Australia has won the competition seven times and sits second on the all-time winners list behind the United States. Australia has competed in every edition since the tournament’s inception in 1963.

Where are the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Finals?

The 2026 Finals will be held at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China from September 22 to 27, played on indoor hard courts.

Who are the current Billie Jean King Cup champions?

Italy are the defending champions, having won the title in both 2024 and 2025. They defeated the United States 2-0 in the 2025 final.