In 2012, 90 nations entered Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, making it the world's largest annual international team competition in women's sport.
Fed Cup is structured with an eight-nation World Group and eight-nation World Group II, contested over three weekends during the year. The remaining countries are then divided into three regional Zones depending on their location.
Groups
World Group
The four nations that win their World Group first round ties progress to play in the semifinals and subsequent final, at which the winning team is crowned champion. These nations are all guaranteed of a place in the top tier the following year. The four nations that lose their first round ties have to contest the World Group play-offs.
World Group play-offs
The World Group play-offs decide promotion and relegation between the four first round losers from World Group and four first round winners from World Group II.
World Group II
The four nations that win their World Group II first round ties progress to play in the World Group play-offs. The four nations that lose their first round ties have to contest the World Group II play-offs.
World Group II play-offs
The World Group II play-offs decide promotion and relegation between the four first round losers from World Group II and four winners from Zone Group I events.
Zone Groups
The Zone Groups are divided into three regions: Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa. Within each region there are two divisions, Group I being the higher and Group II the lower, except for Europe/Africa Zone, which also has a Group III.
Zone Groups are week-long events played at one location. Each Group is initially split into round-robin pools, with play-offs then deciding promotion and relegation. The exact format of each Group varies according to the number of participating teams.
Ties
World Group and World Group II
Ties are contested in a best-of-five rubbers format and are played over a weekend. There are two singles on Saturday, and then the reverse singles and a doubles on Sunday. The tie is hosted by one of the competing nations.
The host nation is decided depending on where the two competing teams played their most recent tie against each other. If a nation had home advantage last time then it will be away next time, and vice versa. If the nations have never previously met, or if they faced each other at a neutral venue, then the choice of ground is decided by lot.
Zone Groups
Ties are contested in a best-of-three rubbers format and are played on one day. There are two singles followed by a doubles. Due to the multi-nation format, ties take place on successive days.
Dates for 2012
30 January (week commencing)
Americas Zone Group I
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
Asia/Oceania Zone Group II
Europe/Africa Zone Group I
4-5 February
World Group first round
World Group II first round
16 April (week commencing)
Europe/Africa Zone Group II
Europe/Africa Zone Group III
Americas Zone Group II
21-22 April
World Group semifinals
World Group play-offs
World Group II play-offs
3-4 November
World Group Final
More info...
For more detailed information about the competition structure, click on the flipbooks below to view the online versions of the Fed Cup Media Guide and Fed Cup Rules & Regulations.
Fed Cup Media Guide
Fed Cup Rules & Regulations