ITF Press Release, April 24, 2026

The draw for the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-offs took place on Thursday at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) offices in London and produced a series of eye catching ties. France will take on Australia in the nations’ first meeting since they contested the 2019 final, which France won in a dramatic decisive doubles match in Perth. Other intriguing clashes include USA’s home tie against Hungary and Brazil hosting 2023 world champions Canada.

The Play-offs will be contested on either 20-21 or 21-22 November. Home nations have choice of dates.

The teams competing in the Play-offs are the seven nations that gained promotion from the 2026 Regional Group I events alongside the seven nations that lost in the 2026 Qualifiers earlier this month. Winning nations from the 2026 Play-offs will advance to the 2027 Qualifiers, the first step towards becoming 2027 world champion and lifting the coveted Billie Jean King Cup trophy.

Losing nations will compete in the 2027 Regional Group I events.

Each tie in the Play-offs will consist of two singles matches on day one, then the doubles match followed by the two reverse singles matches on day two. This month’s Qualifiers marked the first time in the competition’s history that live doubles matches are guaranteed at all best-of-five match Billie Jean King Cup ties and further aligns the competition’s format with the Davis Cup. All live matches will be played as best-of-three tie-break sets.

2026 Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs draw

USA (1) (c)* v Hungary
Brazil (c)* v Canada (2)
Poland (3) (c) v Sweden
Japan (4) (c) v Argentina
France (c) v Australia (5)
Thailand (c)* v Switzerland (6)
Slovenia (7) (c) v Indonesia

(#) = seed; (c) = choice of ground; * = choice of ground decided by lot