Wimbledon — officially The Championships, Wimbledon — is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, south-west London. First held in 1877, it is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments alongside the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, and is widely regarded as the most prestigious of the four. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam still played on grass — the surface on which tennis was originally invented — giving it a unique character and playing style.
Wimbledon takes place over two weeks in late June and early July, with matches contested on 18 courts including the iconic Centre Court (capacity 15,000) and No. 1 Court (capacity 12,000). The Championships attract over 500,000 spectators across the fortnight, with millions more watching on television globally. BBC coverage in the UK is watched by up to 14 million viewers for the men's final, while ESPN and Tennis Channel carry the broadcast in the United States.
The tournament is famous for strict traditions: all players must wear predominantly white clothing, play is preceded by curtseying to the Royal Box (though this was made optional in 2003), and strawberries with cream are consumed in their millions — around 28,000 kg of strawberries and 10,000 litres of cream are sold at Wimbledon each year. The queue to buy day tickets — 'The Queue' — is itself a cultural institution, with fans camping overnight for the chance to attend.
When is Wimbledon 2026?
Wimbledon 2026 runs from Monday, June 29 to Sunday, July 12, 2026.
When is Wimbledon 2027?
Wimbledon 2027 is expected to run from late June to mid-July 2027. The exact dates will be confirmed by the All England Club.
Where is Wimbledon held?
Wimbledon is held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in Wimbledon, south-west London, UK. SW19 is the postcode famously associated with the Championships.
How do I get tickets for Wimbledon?
Wimbledon tickets are obtained via: (1) the public ballot, which opens in the autumn before the Championships; (2) The Queue — joining the line outside the grounds on the day (limited same-day ground passes and court tickets are available daily); (3) corporate hospitality packages. Debenture holders (long-term seat-holders) also have guaranteed access.
What surface is Wimbledon played on?
Wimbledon is played on natural grass — the only Grand Slam to use this surface. The courts are maintained to 8mm height and are prepared year-round by a dedicated grounds team.
Who has won the most Wimbledon titles?
In the Open Era (1968–present), Roger Federer holds the men's record with 8 titles. Martina Navratilova holds the women's record with 9 titles. Novak Djokovic has 7 men's titles.
What is 'The Queue' at Wimbledon?
The Queue is the famous unofficial line of fans who camp overnight outside the All England Club to buy day tickets on the morning of play. Ground passes (allowing entry to the outer courts) are always available on the day; Centre Court and No. 1 Court tickets are more limited. The Queue is a British cultural institution and has its own dedicated Wimbledon page of tips and etiquette.
What are the Wimbledon dress code rules?
Players must wear predominantly white clothing at all times on court. White must be the primary colour and any non-white colours (including within patterns) must be a single trim no wider than 1cm. Undershorts and compression shorts must also be white.
Why are strawberries and cream associated with Wimbledon?
Strawberries have been sold at Wimbledon since the late 19th century, coinciding with the British strawberry season. Around 28,000 kg of strawberries and 10,000 litres of cream are consumed at Wimbledon each year. The combination has become inseparable from the event's British summer character.
Can I watch Wimbledon on TV in the US?
In the United States, Wimbledon is broadcast on ESPN and the Tennis Channel, with additional streaming via the ESPN app and ESPN+. In the UK, Wimbledon is on BBC One and BBC Two (free-to-air) as well as the BBC iPlayer streaming service.