Wimbledon 2026
29 June – 12 July 2026 | London, SW19
1. The Dawn of a New Era at SW19
As the gates of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club swing open on Monday, June 29, 2026, the world of tennis prepares to witness something more than just a tournament. Wimbledon 2026 marks a historic intersection between century-old tradition and cutting-edge 21st-century innovation.
Following Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s dominant performances in 2025, the 139th Championships promises to be the most technologically advanced and physically expansive iteration of the grass-court Major to date. While the smell of freshly cut rye grass and the clink of Pimm's glasses remain constant, the soul of the tournament is evolving. This year, we aren't just watching a game; we are watching a transformation of a global icon.
2. The Official 14-Day Schedule
The 2026 schedule follows the modern "14-day" format, ensuring play on the Middle Sunday—a tradition that became permanent in recent years to provide more accessibility to fans and manage the density of matches.
| Day / Date | Round / Events |
|---|---|
| Mon, 29 June | Gentlemen's & Ladies' Singles 1st Round |
| Tue, 30 June | Gentlemen's & Ladies' Singles 1st Round |
| Wed, 1 July | Singles 2nd Round / Gentlemen's Doubles Begin |
| Thu, 2 July | Singles 2nd Round / Ladies' Doubles Begin |
| Fri, 3 July | Singles 3rd Round / Mixed Doubles Begin |
| Sun, 5 July | Middle Sunday - Round of 16 (The "Manic" Day) |
| Tue, 7 July | Quarter-Finals Begin |
| Thu, 9 July | Ladies' Singles Semi-Finals |
| Fri, 10 July | Gentlemen's Singles Semi-Finals |
| Sat, 11 July | Ladies' Singles Final |
| Sun, 12 July | Gentlemen's Singles Final |
🚀 Technological Breakthrough: Video Review 2.0
Starting in 2026, Wimbledon introduces the **Video Review System** across six show courts (Centre, No. 1, 2, 3, 12, and 18). Unlike the ELC (Electronic Line Calling) which focuses on "In/Out," this system allows players to challenge "not-up" calls, double bounces, touches, and hindrances. There is **no limit** to how many reviews a player can request, provided they stop play immediately!
3. Tech Revolution: Video Review & ELC
For decades, the cry of "Out!" from a human line judge was as much a part of Wimbledon as the strawberries. In 2025, that era ended with the full implementation of Live Electronic Line-Calling (ELC). In 2026, the AELTC is doubling down on accuracy by introducing **Video Review (VR)**.
This shift is not without controversy. Purists argue that the "human element" and the drama of a player arguing with a chair umpire are being stripped away. However, after high-profile errors in the 2025 season, the demand for "absolute truth" on court has never been higher. The VR system will utilize high-frame-rate cameras to dissect "double bounces" (the dreaded "not-up") that often occur at the net during frantic exchanges.
4. The Contenders: Sinner, Alcaraz & Swiatek
The Men's Draw: The Great Rivalry
**Jannik Sinner** enters 2026 as the man with the target on his back. His 2025 triumph was a masterclass in controlled aggression. However, **Carlos Alcaraz**, having tasted grass-court glory in 2023 and 2024, is hungry to reclaim his throne. The rivalry between the Italian and the Spaniard has officially replaced the "Big Three" era as the primary narrative of the tour.
Watch out for **Jack Draper**. The British No. 1 has a game tailor-made for grass—a massive lefty serve and improved net play. If the home crowd gets behind him, he could be the first Brit since Andy Murray to make a serious run at the title.
The Women's Draw: Swiatek's Supremacy
**Iga Swiatek** silenced her grass-court critics by lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2025. Her movement, previously thought to be better suited for clay, has adapted beautifully to the lower bounce of the grass. Her main threats? **Aryna Sabalenka**, whose raw power can blow anyone off the court, and **Elena Rybakina**, the 2022 champion whose serve remains the most dangerous weapon in the women's game.
5. The Wimbledon Park Project
2026 is a pivotal year for the **AELTC Wimbledon Park Project**. After years of legal hurdles, construction is well underway on the site of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club. This expansion will eventually triple the size of the grounds.
The ultimate goal? To host the **Qualifying Competition** on-site. Currently held at Roehampton, moving Qualifying to SW19 would align Wimbledon with the other three Grand Slams and provide fans with a chance to see more "grassroots" tennis in the prestigious setting of the main club. For 2026 visitors, expect to see new public parklands and the skeleton of the new 8,000-seat show court beginning to rise across the lake.
🍓 Tradition by the Numbers
- 38.4 Tons: Strawberries consumed annually.
- 10,000 Liters: Fresh cream poured.
- 300,000: Glasses of Pimm's served.
- All-White: The strictest dress code in sport remains in full effect.
6. The Fan Experience & Traditions
While the tech is new, the "Experience" remains classic. The Queue remains the only way for the average fan to walk in off the street and secure a ticket to Centre Court. In 2026, the AELTC is enhancing "The Hill" (Aorangi Terrace) with massive new 8K LED screens, ensuring that even those without show-court tickets can feel the roar of the crowd.
Ticketing for 2026 saw record-breaking demand. If you missed the ballot, your best bet is the **Wimbledon Resale** portal, where tickets from guests leaving early are sold for charity. It’s a win-win: you get a seat for the evening session for a fraction of the price, and local charities benefit.
As we look toward the first Monday, one thing is certain: Wimbledon 2026 will be a celebration of everything we love about tennis—its history, its future, and the sheer brilliance of athletes competing on the world's most beautiful lawn.
Wimbledon 2026
29 June – 12 July 2026 | The All England Club, London
- 1. The Dawn of a New Era
- 2. The 14-Day Master Schedule
- 3. The Video Review Revolution
- 4. The Elite Tier Contenders
- 5. Rising Stars & Dark Horses
- 6. The Wimbledon Park Project
- 7. Sustainability: The Green Goal
- 8. Beyond Singles: Excellence
- 9. Record-Breaking Prize Purse
- 10. Fan Traditions & The Queue
1. The Dawn of a New Era at SW19
As the 139th edition of The Championships approaches, the anticipation is unlike anything seen in the last decade. Wimbledon 2026 isn't just another tournament; it is the definitive moment where tennis's rich history shakes hands with its futuristic destiny. For over a century, Wimbledon has been the custodian of tennis purity—white clothes, grass courts, and a quiet reverence. But as we step into 2026, those traditions are being amplified by technologies that ensure the game is fairer and more immersive than ever before.
The narrative of 2026 is built on the foundations laid in the 2025 season, where we saw the final full transition to Electronic Line Calling (ELC) on all courts. This year, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) expands its horizons further, integrating the new Video Review System while simultaneously breaking ground on an architectural expansion that will redefine the landscape of South West London for the next century.
2. The Official 14-Day Master Schedule
The permanency of "Middle Sunday" play has transformed the tournament's rhythm. Previously a day of rest for the courts, it is now the emotional heartbeat of the first week, often featuring the most high-stakes Round of 16 matchups.
| Phase | Dates | Featured Events |
|---|---|---|
| The Opening | June 29 - 30 | Round 1: Defending Champions open on Centre Court |
| The Grind | July 1 - 4 | Rounds 2 & 3: Seeds begin to face stiff opposition |
| The Heart | July 5 | Middle Sunday: The entire Round of 16 (Top half & Bottom half) |
| The Elite Eight | July 7 - 8 | Quarter-Finals: Moving to the Final Showdowns |
| The Semis | July 9 - 10 | Ladies' (Thursday) and Gentlemen's (Friday) Semi-Finals |
| Finals Weekend | July 11 - 12 | The Coronation of the 2026 Champions |
🎾 Video Review (VR) 2.0
For the first time, VR is available on all show courts. This system allows officials to review "human-judgment" calls like double bounces, touches of the net, and hindrances. Unlike line-calling, which is instant, VR is a collaborative moment between the chair umpire and the replay booth, ensuring that the integrity of every point is absolute.
3. Tech Revolution: Video Review & ELC
The 2026 Championships marks the second year of a "line-judge free" tournament. While some missed the iconic uniforms and calls, the data from 2025 showed a 99.9% accuracy rate in line calling, effectively ending the era of the "McEnroe-style" outburst over an out-call.
However, 2026 introduces something more nuanced. The **Video Review (VR)** system. Tennis has long struggled with the "double bounce"—where a player retrieves a drop shot that may or may not have hit the grass twice. In the heat of a 100mph sprint, it's impossible for a human eye to always get it right. By utilizing 12 high-speed dedicated VR cameras per court, Wimbledon 2026 ensures that these game-changing moments are adjudicated with surgical precision.
4. The Elite Tier Contenders
The Gentlemen's Singles: The Two-Horse Race?
**Jannik Sinner** and **Carlos Alcaraz** arrive at SW19 as the undisputed heavyweights of the tour. Sinner's grass-court game has evolved from a liability to a lethality, with his flat groundstrokes skidding off the turf at speeds that leave opponents rooted to the spot. Alcaraz, conversely, brings the flair—the drop shots, the lobs, and the incredible athleticism that makes him a natural successor to the Nadal/Federer legacy.
The Ladies' Singles: Defending the Throne
**Iga Swiatek** proved in 2025 that she can conquer the grass. The question for 2026 is whether she can withstand the "power hitters." **Aryna Sabalenka** and **Coco Gauff** have both adjusted their serving patterns to maximize the fast conditions of the first week. Gauff, in particular, has become a fan favorite at Wimbledon, with her defensive skills allowing her to stay in points that others would lose on this surface.
Youthful energy: The next generation taking over the grass courts.
5. Rising Stars & Dark Horses
Wimbledon has always been a place for "first-time" magic. In 2026, all eyes are on the 19-year-old phenoms who are climbing the rankings. **Darwin Blanch** and **Mirra Andreeva** are no longer "prospects"—they are threats. Andreeva's backhand is already being compared to that of Martina Hingis for its tactical brilliance on fast surfaces.
**Dark Horse Alert:** Keep a close watch on **Ben Shelton**. His serve is arguably the most dangerous in the world when it clicks, and on grass, a left-handed 140mph serve is a nightmare for even the best returners. If Shelton can keep his unforced errors low, he has the "X-factor" to disrupt a Sinner-Alcaraz final.
6. The Wimbledon Park Project
The AELTC's vision for the future is physically manifesting in 2026. The transformation of the former golf course into a public park and tennis mecca is the most significant development in the club's history since the installation of the Centre Court roof.
By 2026, the initial phases of the **Qualifying Courts** are visible. The goal is simple: bring the "Roehampton Qualies" home. This will allow fans to witness the desperation and beauty of the qualifying rounds within the same ecosystem as the main draw. It also includes the creation of a new "Parkland" show court that will rival Court No. 1 in terms of atmosphere and design.
🌿 Sustainability: The Green Goal 2030
Wimbledon 2026 is a major milestone in the AELTC's quest to be "Environment Positive" by 2030. This year, the tournament has eliminated all single-use plastics from the catering chain and introduced a "circular economy" for all discarded tennis balls, which are recycled into flooring for community sports centers.
7. Sustainability: The Grass is Greener
You can't have Wimbledon without the environment. The 100% perennial ryegrass is cared for with a precision that would make a surgeon jealous. In 2026, the club has introduced AI-driven irrigation systems that reduce water waste by 40%. Every drop of water used on the courts is harvested from rainfall collected by the stadium roofs.
Moreover, the "Strawberry Supply Chain" has been revolutionized. All 38 tons of strawberries are sourced from local vertical farms within 20 miles of SW19, drastically reducing the carbon footprint of the tournament's most famous snack.
8. Beyond Singles: Doubles & Wheelchair Excellence
While the singles stars get the headlines, the **Wheelchair Tennis Championships** at Wimbledon have seen a 300% increase in viewership over the last three years. In 2026, these matches are being played on larger show courts (including Court No. 2) to accommodate the massive crowds following legends like **Tokito Oda** and **Diede de Groot**.
In the **Doubles Draw**, the tactical mastery is at an all-time high. The 2026 tournament features several "Super Teams"—singles players pairing up to sharpen their net skills. The mixed doubles, often the most entertaining and unpredictable event, continues to be the final match of the tournament for many fans who stay late to catch the sunset over the grounds.
9. Record-Breaking Prize Purse
For the first time in history, the total prize money for The Championships is expected to exceed **£52.5 million**. This reflects the tournament's massive global commercial success and its commitment to supporting players at all levels of the draw.
| Round Reached | Projected Earnings (Singles) |
|---|---|
| Winner | £2,950,000 |
| Runner-up | £1,500,000 |
| Semi-Finalists | £750,000 |
| Quarter-Finalists | £400,000 |
| First Round Loser | £65,000 |
10. Fan Traditions & The Queue
In an era of digital everything, **The Queue** remains a beautiful anomaly. Thousands of fans still camp out in Wimbledon Park for the chance to buy a ticket. In 2026, the AELTC has upgraded the Queue experience with "The Hub"—a dedicated zone with high-quality food, live music, and charging stations, while maintaining the "Kardashian-free" simplicity that makes it special.
**The All-White Dress Code:** It remains the strictest in the world. While subtle changes were made in recent years to allow for coloured undershorts for female players (a move widely praised for inclusivity), the core "predominantly white" rule for outer garments stays. It is what makes a Wimbledon photo instantly recognizable, whether it was taken in 1926 or 2026.
As the sun sets on the final Sunday, and the new champion climbs the stands to embrace their team, we are reminded why this tournament matters. It is the pinnacle. It is the dream. And in 2026, that dream is brighter, clearer, and more exciting than ever.
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