Wimbledon 2026 begins on Monday, 29 June and closes on Sunday, 12 July — 14 days of grass-court tennis at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in SW191. Tennis fans across the UK are already asking "when does Wimbledon start?" and hunting for the full tournament schedule. For those who want to sharpen their own game ahead of the Championships, explore our tennis lessons London.
This is the 139th edition of The Championships. It follows a 2025 tournament that delivered one of the great modern finals — Jannik Sinner defeating Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court to claim his first Wimbledon title. Both players return in 2026 as the defining rivalry of grass-court tennis. For those based in Manchester looking to improve their technique before the season peaks, our tennis lessons are an excellent place to start.
Below you will find everything you need for the 2026 season:
- 🗓️ The complete day-by-day schedule for all events
- 🎟️ How to get tickets — queue, ballot, debentures, and hospitality
- 📺 Where and how to watch Wimbledon 2026 live
- 🆕 What is new at Wimbledon this year — Video Review and beyond
Wimbledon 2026 Schedule: Day-by-Day Overview
The AELTC publishes a general framework of events well in advance of The Championships. Qualifying rounds run from 22–25 June 2026 at the Bank of England Sports Centre in Roehampton. The main draw begins on Monday, 29 June, and the Men's Singles Final takes place on Sunday, 12 July at 4 pm BST.
The Wimbledon Draw determines which players face each other across the fortnight. Organisers seed the top 32 players — separating the highest-ranked players to opposite ends of the bracket — and then fill the remaining slots with qualifiers and wild cards. The Draw for the main event takes place shortly before play begins.
The AELTC has 18 competition lawn courts, 20 grass practice courts, and 8 American clay courts. Up to 18 singles and doubles matches run simultaneously on tournament days. The club employs 15 permanent ground staff and brings in 13 additional workers during The Championships.
The AELTC publishes its Order of Play each evening for the following day. This practice may seem reactive, but it exists to accommodate the unexpected. Withdrawals, injuries, and the famously unpredictable British summer all require last-minute rescheduling. Publishing a fixed multi-week schedule in advance would leave fans with inaccurate information.
The table below gives you a day-by-day overview of all Wimbledon 2026 events. Print it, save it, or bookmark this page — it covers every category from the Men's Singles to the 14 & Under Junior events.
| Date | Events |
|---|---|
| Mon–Tue, 29–30 June | First Round: Men's and Women's Singles |
| Wed–Thu, 1–2 July | Second Round: Men's and Women's Singles | First Round: Men's and Women's Doubles |
| Fri, 3 July | Third Round: Men's and Women's Singles | Second Round: Men's and Women's Doubles | First Round: Mixed Doubles |
| Sat, 4 July | Third Round: Men's and Women's Singles | Second Round: Men's and Women's Doubles | First Round: Mixed Doubles | First Round: Juniors Singles 18 & Under |
| Sun, 5 July | Fourth Round: Men's and Women's Singles | Third Round: Men's and Women's Doubles | Second Round: Mixed Doubles | Second Round: Juniors Singles 18 & Under |
| Mon, 6 July | Fourth Round: Men's and Women's Singles | Third Round: Men's and Women's Doubles | Quarter-finals: Mixed Doubles | Second Round: Girls' Singles | First Round: Boys' Doubles |
| Tue, 7 July | Quarter-finals: Men's and Women's Singles | Quarter-finals: Men's and Women's Doubles | Semi-finals: Mixed Doubles | Second Round: Boys' Singles | First Round: Girls' Doubles | First Round: Men's and Women's Wheelchair Singles |
| Wed, 8 July | Quarter-finals: Men's and Women's Singles (cont.) | Quarter-finals: Quad Wheelchair Singles | Quarter-finals: Men's and Women's Wheelchair Singles | Third Round: Boys' and Girls' Singles | Second Round: Boys' and Girls' Doubles | Invitational Doubles |
| Thu, 9 July | Semi-finals: Ladies' Singles | Semi-finals: Gentlemen's Doubles | Finals: Mixed Doubles | Quarter-finals: Men's and Ladies' Wheelchair Singles | Semi-finals: Men's, Women's & Quad Wheelchair Doubles | Quarter-finals: Boys' & Girls' Singles | Invitation Doubles |
| Fri, 10 July | Semi-finals: Ladies' Doubles | Semi-finals: Men's Singles | Semi-finals: Men's and Women's Quad Wheelchair Singles | Semi-finals: Boys' & Girls' Singles (18&U) | Semi-finals: Boys' & Girls' Doubles (18&U) | Boys' and Girls' 14 & Under Singles | Invitation Doubles |
| Sat, 11 July | 🏆 Men's Doubles Final (1pm BST) | 🏆 Ladies' Singles Final (4pm BST) | Finals: Women's Wheelchair Singles | Finals: Men's Quad Wheelchair Doubles | Finals: Girls' Singles and Doubles (18&U) | Finals: Boys' Doubles (18&U) | Semi-final: Boys' and Girls' 14 & Under Singles |
| Sun, 12 July | 🏆 Women's Doubles Final (1pm BST) | 🏆 Men's Singles Final (4pm BST) | Finals: Men's and Quad Wheelchair Singles | Finals: Women's Wheelchair Doubles | Finals: Boys' Singles (18&U) | Finals: Boys' and Girls' 14&U Singles | Invitation Doubles |
What Is New at Wimbledon in 2026?
Wimbledon 2026 introduces Video Review technology for the first time in the tournament's history — a significant step for an institution known for its careful relationship with change. Players can now challenge certain calls by the chair umpire, such as double bounces, foul shots, and touch calls2.
Video Review is available on Centre Court, No. 1 Court, No. 2 Court, No. 3 Court, Court 12, and Court 18. There is no limit to the number of reviews a player can request. This brings Wimbledon into line with the US Open and Australian Open, which already use the system.
2025: Electronic Line Calling (ELC) replaced human line judges for the first time after 147 years of service. The Hawk-Eye Live system now calls 'out' and 'fault' across all courts, including qualifying.
2026: Video Review is introduced on six courts. Players can challenge umpire judgment calls (not line calls — those remain ELC). New scoreboard visual indicators show 'out' and 'fault' calls in real time.
The AELTC also confirmed that the revised finals weekend schedule, introduced in 2025, remains in place. The Ladies' Singles Final is at 4pm BST on Saturday, 11 July. The Men's Singles Final follows at 4pm BST on Sunday, 12 July. Both start two hours later than in previous years — a change designed to give morning matches time to complete before the day's headline event.
How to Get Tickets for Wimbledon 2026
Wimbledon is the oldest, and arguably the most renowned of all four Grand Slamtournaments. For many tennis enthusiasts, this championship is the highlight of the lawn tennis season. Fans from around the world make their way to SW19, Wimbledon's postcode, to take their place around Centre Court.
Or Court One. These two are where the most heated contests take place. But how much does it cost to reserve your courtside seat? And, how does one buy these tickets?
The Queue
The AELTC reserves 500 tickets for gate sales each day (except the last four days of the tournament). Gates open at 10:00 am daily. The club strongly recommends arriving well before opening time — many fans camp overnight. This is the most democratic route to Wimbledon, but it requires patience and a degree of planning.
The Public Ballot
The Wimbledon public ballot opens each September for the following year's Championships. The 2026 ballot has already closed. If you missed it, the 2027 ballot is your next opportunity — note the September window and set a reminder. The LTA also runs an Advantage member ballot; signing up to an LTA Advantage Fan+ account grants access.
A word of caution: a ballot entry does not guarantee a ticket. The club oversells the ballot, much like airlines oversell flights. Successful applicants are allocated a day and court automatically — you cannot choose a specific match or date.
Debenture Tickets
Debentures are five-year financial instruments issued directly by the AELTC. Holding a debenture guarantees a seat on Centre Court or No. 1 Court for every day of every Championships in the five-year cycle. The 2026–2030 Centre Court debenture cycle is currently open for applications through the official Wimbledon website.
A debenture is a financial instrument issued via a formal prospectus, overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority. Purchasing one gives the holder a guaranteed seat at every Championship during the five-year cycle. Debenture tickets are the only Wimbledon tickets that can be legally resold — making them the most flexible premium option for fans who want certainty.
For 2026, debenture tickets are available on the secondary market through registered holders. Prices vary by court and day. Centre Court resale prices start at approximately £2,195 per ticket for early-round matches, rising to around £9,495 for the Men's Singles Final. No. 1 Court tickets begin at approximately £875, with Quarter-Final days priced around £2,390. Debenture tickets include access to exclusive lounges, bars, and restaurants within the AELTC grounds3.
Hospitality Packages
Wimbledon's official Hospitality Partner, Keith Prowse, offers premium packages that bundle tickets, dining, and exclusive areas. These packages tend to sell out months in advance — the 2025 packages were gone by the end of March. For 2026, check availability directly through Keith Prowse as early as possible.
How to Watch Wimbledon 2026 Live
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam available free-to-air on UK television — a distinction that has made it one of Britain's most-watched sporting events for decades. The BBC holds the broadcast rights and provides comprehensive coverage across multiple channels and platforms.
- 📺 BBC One and BBC Two — live match coverage from 10:30am BST each day, with the main broadcast window on BBC One from early afternoon
- 💻 BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport app — up to 18 simultaneous court streams available online; free with a TV licence
- 📻 BBC Radio 5 Live — live commentary and expert analysis throughout the fortnight
- 📡 TNT Sports / discovery+ — additional coverage and select matches for subscribers
BBC iPlayer is the standout option for fans who want choice. With up to 18 simultaneous streams, you can follow any match on any court without being tied to the main broadcast schedule. The BBC Sport website and connected TV app offer the same streams to any device with a browser.
International viewers can check local broadcast arrangements: ESPN and ESPN+ carry Wimbledon in the United States; TSN serves Canadian audiences; Stan Sport covers Australia. Wimbledo
How Wimbledon Works: Seeds, Draws, and Match Format
Wimbledon contests are single-elimination formats. Every match produces one winner who advances, and one player whose tournament ends. The player who wins seven consecutive matches lifts the trophy.
Before the draw takes place, the top 32 players in each category receive a seed. Seeding scatters the highest-ranked players across the bracket so they cannot meet until the later rounds. The top two seeds are placed at opposite ends of the draw, meaning they can only meet in the final — if both win every match before it.
This formula does not always work for Doubles' contests. These matches often demand a 'bye' system. Byes refer to top-seeded players advancing to the next round without competing. Byes allow players in the lower ranks to advance before confronting higher-rated players.
Byes apply to Singles contests, too. For instance, Jannik Sinner ranks at the top of the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) list. He often receives a bye because he is a top-seeded player.
Seeding is the process of distributing the top-ranked players across the tournament draw. Grand Slam tournaments including Wimbledon typically seed 32 players per category. The goal is to ensure the strongest players are spread out, so early rounds are not dominated by high-profile eliminations — and the best matches are saved for the later stages.
The point of seeding is to spread out contests between top-ranked players. Should they face off early in the tournament, half of them would face elimination. Players occupying the top two ranking slots are typically seeded at opposite ends of the draw.
Which brings us, finally, to the Draw. Once all this year's contenders qualify for the tournament, organisers begin arranging who will play against whom. We should note that tournament rules pre-qualify top-ranked players; they do not have to take part in the qualifying rounds.
Organisers input the qualifying players' names into a computer system. They exclude the 32 top-ranked players. An algorithm distributes the qualified players across the match template. Once that first draw - the first round of matches, is complete, officials begin 'seeding' the top-ranked players.
The draws continue as the tournament progresses. With each win, successful players add points to their ranking, meaning they will play ever-more-skilled players as they advance. This process carries on until every player, in every category, has an equal number of matches.
If you're looking to get active and have some fun, you should check out our tennis classes near me. They're perfect for improving your skills, getting a great workout, and meeting new people who share your love for the game!
Who to Watch at Wimbledon 2026
Jannik Sinner enters as defending champion after his 2025 Wimbledon victory — the Italian's first title at SW19. He arrives as world number one and the tournament favourite. Carlos Alcaraz, who won back-to-back Wimbledon titles in 2023 and 2024 before losing the 2025 final, makes the rivalry between the two men the defining storyline of 20264.
Iga Świątek defends the Ladies' Singles title after her 2025 victory. The Polish world number one has accumulated extraordinary consistency across all surfaces, and her 2025 Wimbledon triumph signalled a new dimension to her game. Aryna Sabalenka remains her closest rival and a regular finalist. British fans will follow Jack Draper closely — the Surrey-born left-hander has established himself as a genuine Grand Slam contender.
The entry lists for the Men's and Women's Singles each contain 128 main-draw players, with qualifying adding further names. Top-ranked players receive direct entry; those outside the top bracket compete in the Roehampton qualifying rounds from 22–25 June. Wild cards, allocated by the AELTC, provide entry to selected players outside the automatic criteria — often British talent or returning champions. If you're travelling from Northern Ireland and want to tune up your serve and footwork beforehand, tennis coaching can be a great way to prepare. For those based in Birmingham looking to follow the tournament up close with improved skills, our tennis lessons Birmingham can help you get there.
The AELTC's officers and grounds crews are working overtime to make sure the systems and facilities are in top form. Hospitality partners are putting together their most enticing packages. And we tennis fans are counting down to the tournament's start.
Wimbledon 2026
June 29, 2026 4:00 pm
References
- "The Championships, Wimbledon 2026," Lawn Tennis Association. Available at: https://www.lta.org.uk/fan-zone/grand-slam/wimbledon-championships/. Accessed 22 May 2026.
- "Wimbledon announces introduction of Video Review technology for 2026," ATP Tour, 21 March 2026. Available at: https://www.atptour.com/en/news/wimbledon-video-review-announcement-march-2026. Accessed 22 May 2026.
- "Wimbledon 2026 Ticket Prices," Wimbledon Debenture Holders. Available at: https://www.wimbledondebentureholders.com/wimbledon-tickets-2026. Accessed 22 May 2026.
- "Wimbledon 2026 Schedule & Players," Tennis Tour Calendar, 16 March 2026. Available at: https://tennistourcalendar.com/event/2026-wimbledon-championships/. Accessed 22 May 2026.
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