ATP Finals 2026: format explained, round robin, qualification and tie-break rules
The ATP Finals use a round robin format: eight singles players are split into two groups of four, everyone plays the other three in their group, and the top two from each group reach the semi-finals. The 2026 edition runs from 15 to 22 November at the Inalpi Arena in Turin. Every match is best … Continued
Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Finals 2026, Turin | © FITP
The ATP Finals use a round robin format: eight singles players are split into two groups of four, everyone plays the other three in their group, and the top two from each group reach the semi-finals. The 2026 edition runs from 15 to 22 November at the Inalpi Arena in Turin. Every match is best of three tie-break sets, final included.
ATP Finals 2026 at a glance
- Dates: 15 to 22 November 2026, with the semi-finals on Saturday 21 November and the final on Sunday 22 November.
- Venue: Inalpi Arena, Turin.
- Singles field: eight players in two groups of four.
- Match format: best of three sets, with a tie-break in every set including the third.
- Knockout stage: single elimination for the semi-finals and final, with no third-place play-off.
The full groups and opening fixtures are in our ATP Finals 2026 draw report.
How do players qualify for the ATP Finals?
Qualification runs through the PIF ATP Race to Turin, which counts only the results of the current season. The ATP Rulebook sets out a selection list in three parts, read in this order:
- Places 1 to 7: the top seven players in the Race to Turin, as of the Monday after the Rolex Paris Masters.
- Grand Slam winners: up to two Grand Slam champions of the year who sit between eighth and twentieth in the Race on that Monday, in order of their positions.
- Everyone else: players ranked eighth and below in the Race.
The top eight names on that list are the direct acceptances. Participation is mandatory for them, and they must attend the official pre-tournament media conference and stay available through the round robin and, if eligible, the knockout stage.
The Grand Slam champion rule
The rule only applies to players placed eighth to twentieth in the Race, and a maximum of two can be added. Because they are slotted in ahead of the players ranked eighth and below, a Grand Slam winner in that bracket takes priority for the final place.
The 2026 field
The eight players in the 2026 singles draw are Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar. Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, is not playing because of a knee injury. Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz are the alternates.
How are the groups drawn?
The eight players are seeded, and the seeds then decide the groups. The rulebook is specific:
- Seed 1 goes into Group A and seed 2 into Group B.
- Seeds 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8 are drawn in pairs, and the first player drawn from each pair goes into Group A.
This guarantees balanced groups, with one seed from each pair in each group. The 2026 draw follows that pattern.
| Rank | Player | Country | Seed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Alexander Zverev
|
|
1 |
| 2 |
Ben Shelton
|
|
3 |
| 3 |
Arthur Fils
|
|
6 |
| 4 |
Rafael Jodar
|
|
8 |
| Rank | Player | Country | Seed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Carlos Alcaraz
|
|
2 |
| 2 |
Daniil Medvedev
|
|
4 |
| 3 |
Flavio Cobolli
|
|
5 |
| 4 |
Frances Tiafoe
|
|
7 |
How does the round robin work?
Each player faces the other three in his group, so everybody plays three matches unless a withdrawal intervenes. The top two in each group go through. The group winner meets the runner-up of the other group in the semi-finals, which means the two group winners cannot meet before the final.
How are group standings decided?
The rulebook applies the first of these methods that works, in order.
Source: ATP Rulebook 2026, section 4.01 D
Why matches played counts
The rulebook’s own comment says a 2-1 record beats a 2-0 record, and a 1-2 record beats a 1-0 record.
The three-way tie
Head-to-head cannot separate three players, so the rules change. If all three have exactly one win and one of them has played fewer than three matches, that player is eliminated and the other two settle it head-to-head. Otherwise the players are ranked by percentage of sets won, then percentage of games won, then ranking.
If that process isolates one clear best or one clear worst player and leaves two tied, those two are separated by their head-to-head record. The rulebook also states that a player completing fewer than all three matches is automatically eliminated at the games stage.
A real example: the 2019 Andre Agassi group
The 2019 edition in London produced a textbook three-way tie. Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev all finished 2-1, and Daniil Medvedev went 0-3. The results were circular: Nadal beat Tsitsipas, Tsitsipas beat Zverev and Zverev beat Nadal, so head-to-head was useless.
| Rank | Player | Country | W-L | Sets | Sets won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Stefanos Tsitsipas 
|
|
2-1 | 5-2 | 71.4% |
| 2 |
Alexander Zverev
|
|
2-1 | 4-2 | 66.7% |
| Semi-finals | |||||
| 3 |
Rafael Nadal
|
|
2-1 | 4-4 | 50.0% |
| 4 |
Daniil Medvedev
|
|
0-3 | 1-6 | 14.3% |
Applying step 4, Tsitsipas and Zverev went through and Nadal went out. Zverev then lost to Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals, while Tsitsipas beat Roger Federer and went on to win the title.
What happens if a player withdraws?
The answer depends on timing, and the rulebook covers each case.
- Before the pre-tournament media conference: the next highest player on the selection list replaces him and becomes a direct acceptance.
- After the conference: the designated alternate steps in. The alternate must attend the media conference and stay available until the start of the last scheduled round robin match.
- Before a player’s first match: if the alternate replaces a player who has not played his first round robin match, the alternate becomes a direct acceptance and receives no alternate fee.
- For the second or third match: the alternate receives the alternate fee plus any prize money and points he earns.
- If the alternate never plays: he is paid a fee. For 2026 that fee is $156,000.
ATP can also name additional alternates to fill the draw, and they are not obliged to take part. An alternate who qualifies can play the knockout stage and earn points and prize money.
Retirements and defaults
For tie-break purposes, a retirement or conduct default counts as a straight-set win or loss. The games from that match are ignored when games percentage is used. The rule stops a player who needs only one set from retiring after winning it. A player who retires through illness or injury may continue if the tournament doctor approves. A player who withdraws from any round robin match after the first round cannot play in the knockout stage.
Can you lose a match and still win the title?
Yes. A player needs only a top-two finish in his group, so one defeat does not end a title run. Tsitsipas did exactly that in 2019, losing to Nadal in the group and then winning the title. The winner of an unbeaten run is rewarded separately: the champion with no defeats earns the maximum of 1,500 ranking points.
Points and prize money by result
Source: Nitto ATP Finals
Singles participation fees: $169,000 for one match, $253,000 for two, $338,000 for three.
FAQ
How many players qualify for the ATP Finals?
Eight players qualify in singles, plus an alternate who can step in if someone withdraws. The top seven in the Race to Turin go through, and up to two Grand Slam winners of the year can be added.
Who goes through from each ATP Finals group?
The top two in each group reach the semi-finals. The group winner plays the runner-up from the other group.
What is the first tie-break rule at the ATP Finals?
Greatest number of wins, then greatest number of matches played, then head-to-head if only two players are tied.
What if three players finish level?
Their percentage of sets won decides, then percentage of games won, then ranking. If one player is clearly best or worst, the other two are separated by head-to-head.
Is there a third-place play-off at the ATP Finals?
No. The rulebook says there is no play-off for third and fourth place.
Sources: ATP, Nitto ATP Finals, ATP Rulebook, Tennis Majors.
