China to host BJK Cup Finals for next three years

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will be held in Shenzhen, China for the next three years.

China, reigning champions Italy and six qualifiers will contest the week-long Finals in 2025, with a date yet to be confirmed.

Three venues in Shenzhen are being considered – including the 12,000 capacity Shenzhen Bay Sports Arena, which staged the WTA Finals in 2019.

Prague, Glasgow, Seville and Malaga were chosen as hosts for the first four editions, but organisers say a global event of this nature cannot stay in Europe for too long.

“The announcement demonstrates our commitment to bringing the passion and excitement of nation v nation team tennis to markets around the world,” Billie Jean King said.

The tournament, formerly called the Fed Cup, sees 18 teams split into six groups of three in qualifying, with the group winners progressing to the Finals.

The draw for April’s qualifying competition will take place later on Thursday.

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals have traditionally taken place in November, but could be brought forward to September or October, when a run of tournaments are taking place in Asia.

This would shorten the season and avoid players having to travel back to China in November, but it also means the Finals taking place in the same week as established WTA Tour events.

Crowds at the Finals have been disappointing in recent years, despite strong European representation.

Cost and visa issues will further deter these fans from travelling and, with Japan and Kazakhstan the only other Asian nations with a chance to qualify, much will depend on interest from the Chinese.