World Team Tennis Returns with Player Equity, High-Tech Vision

NEW YORK, NY – May 19, 2026 – After a multi-year hiatus, World Team Tennis (WTT), the pioneering mixed-gender league co-founded by Billie Jean King, is set for a dramatic return in December 2026. Armed with a modernized vision, a groundbreaking player equity model, and a significant investment in broadcast technology, the league is positioning itself not just as a revival, but as a reimagining of professional tennis for a new era of sports entertainment.

The relaunched league will debut on December 2 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, kicking off a home-and-away season featuring city-based teams. The new WTT is built on a foundation that aims to align the interests of its athletes with the league's long-term success, a move that could send ripples across the professional sports landscape.

"I couldn't be more excited about a modernized vision for World Team Tennis," said Billie Jean King, whose original concept in 1974 was the first professional sports league to grant equal status to men and women. "This league has always been about innovation and making tennis more accessible. It's inspiring to see that spirit carried forward in a way that connects with how fans engage with sports today."

A New Ownership Model: Players as Partners

The most significant innovation in the relaunched WTT is its ownership structure. For the first time in professional tennis, competing players will be offered equity in the league, transforming them from contractors into partners. This model, where compensation includes a mix of appearance fees, prize money, and an ownership stake, is designed to foster a deeper level of commitment from its stars.

"I think fans are going to have a lot of fun with this," said Jessica Pegula, the current world No. 5, who has signed on to compete. "The matches are shorter, the team energy is different, and having players share in the ownership of the league also creates a deeper level of commitment."

This player-centric approach reflects a growing trend in new sports ventures, echoing models seen in golf's TGL and the women's basketball league, Unrivaled, which also feature athlete equity. The new WTT is led by CEO Stephen Amritraj, a former pro player and tennis executive, whose private equity firm Intrepid Sports Group acquired the league's intellectual property in 2024. The management team is rounded out by seasoned executives from sports, marketing, and technology, signaling a comprehensive strategy for growth.

Reimagining the Fan Experience

To capture a younger, digitally native audience, WTT is making a major investment in its broadcast and in-venue presentation. The league has partnered with Hawk-Eye Innovations, a Sony Group company renowned for its officiating technology, to elevate the viewing experience. This collaboration will introduce real-time augmented reality ball tracking and advanced data visualizations, including a ball trail graphic designed to make the sport's speed and spin more tangible for viewers.

The production will be helmed by Emmy-Award winning executive producer Michael Davies, known for his work on shows like Jeopardy! and Good Morning Football, along with Sony Pictures Television's Embassy Row. This partnership underscores a commitment to creating a polished, primetime entertainment product that blends high-stakes tennis with music, culture, and immersive storytelling.

The on-court format has also been streamlined for a television-friendly window. Each match will consist of four singles sets—two men's and two women's—and a decisive mixed doubles Supertiebreaker. This structure ensures that men and women contribute equally to the final outcome, a core tenet of the league since its inception.

Honoring a Legacy of Equity and Innovation

While the technology and business model are new, the league's foundational principles remain rooted in Billie Jean King's original vision. The mixed-gender format, once revolutionary, continues to be a key differentiator. The relaunched WTT intentionally places itself in December, a dedicated window outside the congested traditional ATP and WTA tour calendars, to maximize its ability to attract top-tier talent without creating scheduling conflicts.

This strategic move addresses a historical challenge for team tennis formats and demonstrates a lesson learned from past iterations of the league, which paused operations after the 2021 season following pandemic-related financial difficulties. The new leadership is clear about its goals.

"World Team Tennis has been ahead of its time for 50 years with its values of gender equity and its leadership in innovation," said Stephen Amritraj, Chief Executive Officer of WTT. "We're not simply bringing the league back - we're building it with intention as an inclusive, differentiated property at the intersection of sport, culture, and entertainment."

Capitalizing on Tennis's Growing Momentum

The return of WTT comes at an opportune moment for the sport in the United States. Tennis participation has surged by 54 percent since 2019, adding nearly 10 million players in six consecutive years of growth. This momentum is a key part of the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) strategic focus, which aims to reach 35 million players by 2035.

The USTA has voiced its strong support for the league's return, seeing it as a powerful vehicle for expanding the sport's reach.

"We're excited about the return of a revamped World Team Tennis that gives more people access to our sport by bringing high-level, professional tennis into more markets across the country," said Brian Vahaly, Chairman of the Board and President, Interim Co-CEO of the USTA. "When fans see the best athletes in the world up close, it inspires them to pick up a racquet and helps grow the sport."

While the opening night is set for Brooklyn, the league will feature city-based teams competing in major-market arenas, with all teams initially owned at the league level. Further announcements regarding the full player roster, team locations, additional venues, and broadcast partners are expected in the coming months as anticipation builds for the league's December 2026 debut.