WTA Finals
The groups for the 2026 WTA Finals were drawn at Indian Wells on Tuesday 3 November. Elena Rybakina, the world No. 1 and defending champion, heads Group 1 with Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Linda Nosková. Aryna Sabalenka heads Group 2 with Mirra Andreeva, Elina Svitolina and Karolína Muchová. Play starts on Sunday 8 November, when Rybakina meets Nosková at noon local time, 8pm in the UK.
The Two Groups
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
|---|---|
| Elena Rybakina (1) | Aryna Sabalenka (2) |
| Coco Gauff (4) | Mirra Andreeva (3) |
| Jessica Pegula (5) | Elina Svitolina (6) |
| Linda Nosková (8) | Karolína Muchová (7) |
The seeds follow the final Race to the WTA Finals. Rybakina and Sabalenka were placed in separate groups, and the draw split each of the other pairs of seeds. It put Gauff and Pegula, who finished the Race three points apart, in the same group, and left the two Wimbledon finalists, Nosková and Muchová, on opposite sides.
The Opening Matches
| Day | UK time | Match | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 8 November | 8pm | Rybakina v Nosková | Rybakina leads 3-0 |
| Sunday 8 November | Second match | Gauff v Pegula | Level at 5-5 |
| Monday 9 November | 8pm | Sabalenka v Muchová | Muchová leads 3-2 |
| Monday 9 November | Second match | Andreeva v Svitolina | Level at 1-1 |
Each day starts at noon in California, which is 8pm in the UK. The second singles match follows the first, and two doubles matches complete the programme.
Group 1: Rybakina, Gauff, Pegula and Nosková
Rybakina has won all three of her matches against Nosková, each in straight sets, most recently at the Wuhan Open in 2025. Nosková won Wimbledon in July, her first Grand Slam title, and this is her first WTA Finals. Rybakina won the Australian Open and the US Open in 2026, but the neck injury that made her withdraw from her Tokyo quarter-final on 30 October is the question over her first match.
Gauff and Pegula are friends and former doubles partners, and their head-to-head is level at 5-5. They meet at the year-end event for the fourth year in a row, and Pegula has won two of the previous three, including their group match in 2025. Gauff won both of their 2026 meetings, in the Wimbledon quarter-finals and the Cincinnati final. Gauff won the WTA Finals in 2024.
Group 2: Sabalenka, Andreeva, Svitolina and Muchová
Muchová leads Sabalenka 3-2, although Sabalenka won their only 2026 meeting, in Brisbane in January. Sabalenka won the BNP Paribas Open on these courts in March and lost the 2025 final of this event to Rybakina. Muchová reached the Wimbledon final and won titles in Doha and Bad Homburg in 2026, and this is her first appearance at the WTA Finals.
Andreeva and Svitolina have met twice, with one win each. Svitolina won their 2026 meeting at the Australian Open. Andreeva won Roland Garros in 2026 and Indian Wells in 2025, and reached the China Open final in Beijing in October. Svitolina won the WTA Finals in 2018.
How the Groups Work
Each player meets the other three in her group. The top two in each group reach the semi-finals, so a player can lose a group match and still win the title. The final is on Sunday 15 November. Our WTA Finals 2026 preview covers the field and the seeds in full.
How to Watch
Sky Sports Tennis shows the WTA Finals in the UK, with streaming on NOW. Our WTA Finals how to watch guide has the details.
FAQ
WTA Finals 2026 Groups FAQs
What are the WTA Finals 2026 groups?
Group 1 is Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Linda Nosková. Group 2 is Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Elina Svitolina and Karolína Muchová.
When does the WTA Finals 2026 start?
On Sunday 8 November at Indian Wells, with Elena Rybakina against Linda Nosková at noon local time, which is 8pm in the UK. Coco Gauff plays Jessica Pegula after that match.
Who does Aryna Sabalenka play first at the WTA Finals?
Karolína Muchová, on Monday 9 November at 8pm UK time. Muchová leads their head-to-head 3-2.
How many players reach the semi-finals?
Four: the top two from each group. The final is on Sunday 15 November.
More Coverage
See our WTA Finals betting tips, the prize money breakdown and the list of past champions. Full coverage sits on our WTA Finals hub.