Tennis

World Team Tennis Returns With New Model—and Some Star Players

October 12, 2026

World Team Tennis is making a bold comeback with a modernized format and a roster of elite players, marking its first tournament since 2021. The revamped league, now featuring three franchises—the New York Empire, Florida Flamingos, and Toronto North—will kick off in early December, shifting from its traditional summer slot to a winter lineup.

Matches will take place in high-profile arenas: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Amerant Bank Arena in Florida, and Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, blending tennis with the energy of basketball and hockey venues. A standout feature of this relaunch is the league’s commitment to player equity, a first for World Team Tennis, with 15 top-tier athletes—including Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Victoria Mboko, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul—securing stakes in the franchises.

Gauff’s deal stands out as the league’s first player-owner, tying her to the Florida Flamingos for the 2026 season. The league has also secured a one-year broadcasting deal with Versant, ensuring all six night matches air on CNBC and stream on Fandango.