United Cup Press Release, August 27, 2024

The world’s top-ranked tennis players will arrive in December for the blockbuster United Cup, the innovative mixed team tennis event staged in Perth and Sydney. 

From Friday 27 December to Sunday 5 January 2025, the world’s best men and women will compete side-by-side.

Eighteen countries featuring up to three men and up to three women will compete for a minimum AUD $15 million in prize money and 500 PIF ATP and WTA rankings points. 

Perth will open the United Cup on Friday 27 December at RAC Arena, while the group stage in Sydney will begin on Saturday 28 December at Ken Rosewall Arena.

Group winners in each city will advance to the quarterfinals with one quarterfinal spot in each city awarded to the best runner up in that city.

The quarterfinals in Perth will be held on New Years Day and on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 January in Sydney.

The semifinals and final will be hosted in Sydney on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January.

Participation is subject to players committing to the event by the tournament’s entry deadline of 16 October for the first 16 teams. The remaining two teams will be decided after the second qualification date of 19 November.

Ten countries will qualify for the United Cup via the five highest-ranked men and five highest-ranked women entered based on their PIF ATP and WTA rankings.

Eight teams will qualify according to the best combined ranking of the highest-ranked men’s and women’s players from the same country.

New for 2025 – at the second qualification date, if there is a player in the Top 10 (maximum 1 ATP and 1 WTA player) of the latest PIF ATP or WTA rankings who has entered and has an eligible team but has not been accepted based on their individual ATP / WTA ranking, they will be accepted, and their team will replace the lowest ranked team with combined ranking.

We’re baaaaack! Did you miss us? Cos we missed you 😉 #UnitedCup 🏆 Dec 27 – Jan 5 2025 in Sydney and Perth @sydney_sider #feelnewsydney @WestAustralia #WAtheDreamState pic.twitter.com/tG6IbD705D

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) August 26, 2024

“The United Cup holds a unique position in global tennis, with the world’s best men and women representing their country at the highest level,” United Cup Tournament Director Stephen Farrow said.

“Off the back of the Olympics, where true country pride has come to life, we can’t wait to see our eighteen teams bring their passion to Sydney and Perth when they play for big prize money and big ranking points this summer.

“We look forward to connecting with our sporting fans and local communities in the lead up to the United Cup and building on the momentum of our last event.”

Western Australia Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said, “We have had some massive wins this year through major sporting events, and the third edition of the United Cup will keep that momentum going, driving out-of-state visitors to WA, injecting millions of dollars in visitor spend into the local economy.

“The return of this annual event speaks to the success of WA as an international sport hub and will continue to elevate the state’s reputation as a world-class destination and major sporting event host.”

Format and qualification

• The third edition of United Cup will be held from Friday 27 December to Sunday 5 January 2025
• The group stage in Perth (RAC Arena) runs from Friday 27 December to Tuesday 31 December. The quarterfinals in Perth will be held on Wednesday 1 January (New Year’s Day)
• The group stage in Sydney (Ken Rosewall Arena) runs from Saturday 28 December to Wednesday 1 January (New Year’s Day). The quarterfinals in Sydney will be held across Thursday 2 and Friday 3 January
• Sydney will host two semifinals on Saturday 4 January followed by the United Cup final from 5.30pm on Sunday 5 January
• Teams travelling from Perth to Sydney have a travel day and rest day before their semifinal matches
• At the entry deadline on 16 October, ten countries will qualify for the United Cup via the five highest-ranked men and five highest-ranked women entered, based on their PIF ATP and WTA rankings
• Eight teams will qualify according to the best combined ranking of the highest-ranked men’s and women’s players from the same country
• New for 2025 – at the second qualification date, if there is a player in the Top 10 (maximum 1 ATP and 1 WTA player) of the latest PIF ATP or WTA rankings who has entered and has an eligible team but has not been accepted based on their individual ATP/WTA ranking, they will be accepted, and their team will replace the lowest ranked team with combined ranking
• Australia is guaranteed entry, either directly via ranking or as a wildcard
• Each city will host nine teams each – three groups of three countries, competing in a round robin format

• Each tie will comprise one men’s singles and one women’s singles match featuring the No.1 ranked singles players, and one mixed doubles match
• Singles matches are best of three tie-break sets. Mixed doubles matches are two tie-break sets with a deciding match tie-break (10 point) at one set all
• Group winners in each city advance to the quarterfinals with one quarterfinal spot in each city awarded to the best runner up in that city
• Winners will progress to the semifinals and final to be played in Sydney
• The United Cup official draw will be held on 21 October and will determine where the top 16 countries will play. The second qualification date of 19 November will determine the final two teams.

Tickets

• Tickets for the United Cup quarterfinals in Perth go on sale at 12.00pm AWST Friday 6 September via Ticketek
• Tickets for the United Cup quarterfinals, semifinals and final in Sydney go on sale at 12.00pm AEST Friday 6 September via Ticketmaster
• Tickets to the United Cup group stages go on sale in late October