The Junior Orange Bowl is the junior tennis world’s biggest stage. Every December, the best 12-and-under and 14-and-under players from more than 76 countries land in Coral Gables, Florida. If your kid dreams big, this is the tournament they dream about.
Here’s everything a parent needs to know for 2026.
The basics
- What: Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship
- When: December 12–19, 2026 (qualifying Dec 12–13, main draw Dec 14–19)
- Where: Coral Gables, Florida
- Who: Boys and girls, 12U (born 2014–2015) and 14U (born 2012–2013)
The deadline that matters
Registration closes October 15, 2026 at 11:59 AM EDT. No late entries — ever. That’s days away. If your kid is age-eligible and you want in, this week is the week.
How to enter (step by step)
- Get a USTA number — free at usta.com. You need one to register.
- Get a World Tennis Number (WTN) — every player must have one. Contact your federation if you don’t have one yet.
- Register online on the USTA website — Tournament ID 26-63274.
- Entry fee: $202.59.
- Check the acceptance list after November 7 to see if your kid is in qualifying, the main draw, or alternates.
Important: even players who qualified through the regional Playoff Series MUST register on the USTA site by the deadline, or they lose their spot.
What it costs beyond entry
Travel to Miami, a hotel for a week, food — it adds up fast. Book the hotel NOW: the G20 Summit is in Miami the same week, and the tournament itself is warning families about high demand. They list host hotels with discounted tournament rates at juniororangebowl.org/tennis.
What to expect
- 64-player qualifying draw, 64-player singles main draw, 32-team doubles draw
- 8 main-draw spots reserved for qualifiers
- Single elimination
- This is a Grade A junior event — the same tier as the junior Slams. The level is the highest in junior tennis.
Is your kid ready?
Honest answer: if they’re asking about it, they’re ready to try. Qualifying is brutal and most kids don’t make the main draw their first time. That’s normal. The kids who go come back different players — win or lose.
Quick FAQ
Can a 10-year-old play? The youngest division is 12U (born 2014–2015 for 2026), so most 10-year-olds wait a year or two.
Do we need a coach there? Not required, but most families bring one.
What if we don’t get selected? You won’t be charged the entry fee.
Where do we check in? Details are on the official site — read the fact sheet at juniororangebowl.org/tennis before you email them, they ask.
Registration closes October 15 at 11:59 AM EDT. Don’t be the family that meant to enter.
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