The 2026 United Cup tennis tournament is set to begin on January 2 in Australia, featuring 18 nations competing across the cities of Brisbane, Perth, and Sydney. As the defending champions, the United States will look to retain their title after winning the inaugural event in 2023. The tournament runs until January 11 and will be broadcast on Tennis Channel in the United States.
Streaming Options for United Cup 2026
For those without cable access, several streaming services offer coverage of the United Cup. Here are the top options:
DirecTV provides the Tennis Channel in its Choice, Ultimate, and Premier packages, starting at $59.99 per month with a five-day free trial. Subscribers can access over 185 channels.
Fubo also includes the Tennis Channel and starts at $55.99 per month, featuring a five-day free trial. Fubo offers a range of more than 300 channels.
Sling TV provides a more economical option, starting at $45.99 per month. Tennis Channel is available through the Sports Extra add-on for an additional $11. Although Sling does not offer a free trial, it is a viable option for budget-conscious viewers.
Those wishing to stream the tournament for free can utilize the five-day free trials from both DirecTV and Fubo, combining them for a total of ten days of free access to the United Cup livestreams.
United Cup Schedule and Team Lineup
The tournament’s schedule is as follows:
– Group Stage: January 2–7
– Quarterfinals: January 7–8
– Semifinals: January 10
– Final: January 11
The 2026 lineup includes a mix of top-ranked players from various nations. Notable participants include Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Iga Swiatek. Each team features six players, with both men’s and women’s competitors.
Here are some of the teams participating:
– **United States**: Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, Mackenzie McDonald, Varvara Lepchenko, Christian Harrison, Nicole Melichar-Martinez (Captain: Michael Russell)
– **Canada**: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Victoria Mboko, Alexis Galarneau, Kayla Cross, Cleeve Harper, Ariana Arsenault (Captain: Gabriela Dabrowski)
– **Germany**: Alexander Zverev, Eva Lys, Patrick Zahraj, Laura Siegemund, Kevin Krawietz, Mina Hodzic (Captain: Alexander Zverev Sr.)
– **Australia**: Alex de Minaur, Maya Joint, Jason Kubler, Maddison Inglis, John-Patrick Smith, Storm Hunter (Captain: Lleyton Hewitt)
As the United Cup approaches, tennis enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting tournament packed with high-stakes matches and top-tier talent. The event promises to be a thrilling start to the 2026 tennis season, showcasing the best of international competition.
