The Laver Cup is the newest and, by one measure, the most successful innovation in professional tennis in a generation. Created in 2017 by Team8 (Roger Federer's management company) and named after Rod Laver, the Australian who won the Grand Slam twice and is widely considered the greatest male player before the open era, the event pits Team Europe — typically the highest-ranked European players — against Team World in a three-day team competition that runs in late September each year. The format is simple: singles and doubles matches, with points increasing in value across the three days. The atmosphere is unlike any other event in tennis.
- Laver Cup returns to London on 25 September 2026 at The O2 Arena
- Team Europe faces Team World in a three-day tennis competition
- Event atmosphere features high player enthusiasm and visible bench interactions
- Tickets sell out fast; XLDN members can request access via concierge
What the Laver Cup discovered, apparently accidentally, is that the best tennis players in the world enjoy team sport. The combination of the format — individual matches that contribute to a collective result — and the culture that has developed around the event produces a playing environment in which the world's best players celebrate each other's points, invest in their teammates' matches from the bench, and compete with a visible enthusiasm that the individual grind of the tour does not consistently produce. The bench interaction — the coaching, the encouragement, the shared emotion — is visible and audible in a way that transforms the spectator experience.
The O2 Arena in Greenwich, London — capacity approximately 20,000 for indoor events — provides an arena-scale environment that suits the Laver Cup's personality. The event sells out consistently and quickly. The crowd is young by tennis standards, international, and engaged in the team competition in a way that standard tour events don't generate.
The 2026 edition brings the Laver Cup back to London, which has hosted the event before. The field — particularly the European roster — will depend on the season's results but is likely to include the strongest available players from both sides.
**KEY FACTS**
DATE — 25 September 2026
VENUE — The O2 Arena, Greenwich, London
CATEGORY — Tennis / Team Competition
ACCESS — Price on application — request via your concierge
XLDN ACCESS — Available to XLDN members · Request via concierge
**FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS**
*Q: What is the Laver Cup?*
A: The Laver Cup is an annual team tennis competition pitting Team Europe against Team World across three days of singles and doubles matches. Named after Rod Laver, it was created in 2017 and has become one of the most popular events in tennis.
*Q: How does Laver Cup scoring work?*
A: Points increase in value across the three days — Day 1 matches are worth 1 point each, Day 2 worth 2, Day 3 worth 3. The first team to reach 13 points wins. If the score is tied at 12–12 after regulation, a singles match decides the competition.
*Q: Who plays in the Laver Cup?*
A: Team Europe typically features the top European ATP players — in recent years, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and others. Team World features the best non-European players. Captains (previously John McEnroe for Team World, Björn Borg for Europe) select and manage rosters.
*Q: How do I get tickets for the Laver Cup?*
A: Tickets are sold through the official Laver Cup website and sell out quickly, particularly for the final day. XLDN can source seats and hospitality through the event's commercial hospitality programme.
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