What is the Billie Jean King Cup?
The Billie Jean King Cup is the women's national-team competition of tennis — the women's counterpart of the Davis Cup, contested since 1963 and described on the competition's history page as "the world's largest annual international team competition in women's sport".[1] [2]
Who organizes it?
World Tennis (the ITF), which states that it is "responsible for" the Billie Jean King Cup, runs the competition;[5] national associations enter teams and select players, as in the Davis Cup.[1]
When and where is it held?
Qualifying ties run through the season toward a Finals week — hosted by Shenzhen, China from 2025 through 2027; Italy defeated the United States there for the 2025 title, and at the 2026 Finals, played in Shenzhen from 22 to 27 September 2026, Czechia beat Ukraine to win the title for the 12th time.[1][3] [4]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Finals | Shenzhen (CHN) — upcoming; host through 2027 |
| 2025 | Finals | Shenzhen (CHN) — champions: Italy |
| 2024 | Finals | Málaga (ESP) — champions: Italy |
| 2023 | Finals | Seville (ESP) — champions: Canada |
| 2022 | Finals | Glasgow (GBR) — champions: Switzerland |
| 2021 | Finals | Prague (CZE) — champions: Russian Tennis Federation |
| 2019 | Final | Perth (AUS) — champions: France; last Fed Cup edition |
| 1963 | Inaugural | London (GBR) — champions: USA |
Founded as the Federation Cup (later Fed Cup); renamed for Billie Jean King in 2020.[2]
Since when does it exist?
Launched in 1963 to mark the ITF's 50th anniversary, with the United States its first champion; in 2020 it was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup, having been the Federation Cup (1963–1995) and the Fed Cup (1995–2020).[6][2]
How do teams and players qualify?
Open to the Class B member nations of World Tennis through zonal groups and qualifying rounds up to the Finals; players are selected by their national associations.[7][1] [2]
Why does it matter?
It is the women's national-team competition of World Tennis, launched in 1963 for the federation's 50th anniversary, and its 2020 renaming honored the player who founded the WTA.[2] [4]
Who competes?
National teams from over a hundred entering nations each year, with the qualifying teams contesting the Finals in Shenzhen.[1] [4]
References
- Billie Jean King Cup — official site (World Tennis), 2026 Finals. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Billie Jean King Cup — History. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Billie Jean King Cup — Shenzhen announced as 2025–2027 Finals host. Accessed August 2026.
- WTA — Guide to the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Accessed August 2026.
- World Tennis — What we do. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Billie Jean King Cup — About. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- The 2026 Constitution of the International Tennis Federation (ITF Limited), Art. 1.1, 4.14.3. Accessed 2026-10-01.