World Team Tennis Relaunches in December with Star Players and New Format
The tennis competition co-founded by Billie Jean King in the 1970s, World Team Tennis (WTT), is making a comeback. After last being held in 2021, the league will relaunch this December featuring a new format, fresh teams, and a revised spot on the tennis calendar.
This edition of WTT will feature three franchises: the New York Empire, Florida Flamingos, and Toronto North. Matches will be hosted in iconic sports arenas: Barclays Center in Brooklyn (home to the NBA’s Nets and WNBA’s Liberty), Amerant Bank Arena in Florida (NHL Panthers' venue), and the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto (where the PWHL Scepters and WNBA Tempo play).
Broadcast rights have been secured through a one-year deal with Versant, ensuring that all six evening matches will air on CNBC and stream via Fandango.
Modernizing the League with Player Equity
Taking inspiration from newer sports leagues such as Unrivaled and TGL, which have attracted top athletes by offering equity stakes, WTT is pioneering the same model in tennis. These startups boast valuations of $650 million and $1 billion respectively after recent funding rounds and rapid growth.
WTT is the first tennis event to grant players ownership stakes, already locking in commitments from 15 leading men’s and women’s players including Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Victoria Mboko, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul.
Coco Gauff stands out as the sole player-owner in this year's league, holding equity in the Florida Flamingos franchise.
Insights from CEO Stephen Amritraj
Stephen Amritraj, who acquired the World Team Tennis intellectual property in 2024, shared thoughts on the revival during an interview with Front Office Sports.
Front Office Sports: What inspired you to revive World Team Tennis?Stephen Amritraj: My father and uncle, Anand and Vijay Amritraj, were prominent Indian tennis players in the ’70s and played in WTT. Their experience helped them settle in the U.S., so I’ve always loved what WTT represents. The mixed-gender team format was ahead of its time, with men and women equally contributing to the outcome.
FOS: How will this version differ from past editions?SA: We kept the core values—equal gender contribution and innovation—but shifted the season to December based on player feedback, avoiding clashes with the traditional tennis calendar. The match format changed from sets of singles and doubles to four one-set singles matches (No. 1 and No. 2 men’s and women’s singles) followed by a mixed doubles super tiebreaker, with no-ad scoring.
FOS: What convinced players to compete in December?SA: Players are committed and rewarded with base fees, equity, and match bonuses. Our competition is a one-set format requiring less travel, fitting nicely between their regular seasons and off-season training. It also offers injured players a way to ease back into competition ahead of events like the Australian Open.
FOS: Can you explain the equity structure for players?SA: Most players receive equity with vesting terms similar to tech companies. This aligns everyone’s interests long term and is unprecedented in tennis. We're excited to offer this unique opportunity.
FOS: Why emphasize mixed doubles?SA: Mixed doubles has been part of WTT for 50 years. Its rising popularity in major tournaments like the US Open shows WTT was ahead of the curve; it’s not just a new trend but a proven format enhancing the sport.
FOS: What kind of atmosphere can fans expect?SA: The vibe will be lively, combining tennis with fashion, culture, and entertainment. We’ll have live DJs and use arena technology like Jumbotrons to create an energetic fan experience more akin to the US Open than Wimbledon.
WTT 2026 Teams and Venues
- New York Empire: Barclays Center, Brooklyn
- Florida Flamingos: Amerant Bank Arena, Florida
- Toronto North: Coca-Cola Coliseum, Toronto
Top Committed Players
- Coco Gauff (also player-owner)
- Jessica Pegula
- Victoria Mboko
- Taylor Fritz
- Frances Tiafoe
- Tommy Paul
