Roger, royals and rackets – a glorious guide to the prestigious tournament.
Wimbledon is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. Wimbledon 2026 takes place from 29 June to 12 July 2026 at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. Over the years, the championship has welcomed sporting superstars including Billie Jean King, Boris Becker and John McEnroe. This year, Wimbledon visitors can catch top players including Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina, as well as wildcard players including Serena and Venus Williams.
The All England Croquet Club was founded in 1868, and the first-ever Wimbledon tournament took place in 1877. The event was the world’s first official lawn tennis tournament, originally created to raise funds to repair a broken roller for the lawns. During the event, wooden rackets were used to play, the last of which was used in 1987.
Wimbledon has boasted prize funds of £50,000,000. The exact amount for 2026 sits at £64.2 million. In 2024, the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Singles champions received £2,700,000, while those bowing out in the first round received £60,000.
The Wimbledon 2026 tournament comprises seven rounds, and the first two days are taken up by the men’s and women’s first rounds. The quarter-finals are on 7 and 8 July 2026, and the semi-finals are on 9 and 10 July 2026. The all-important final takes place on 11 and 12 July 2026, as the world will see who becomes the Wimbledon 2026 champion.
Wimbledon traditions
Over the years, Wimbledon has become famous for its quaint traditions. In 1963, it was announced that players must wear all white, and what is deemed as suitable clothing is left to the discretion of the referee. Plus, visitors often dress their best and famous faces, from celebrities to politicians, can be spotted in the stands.
No trip to Wimbledon is complete without strawberries and cream. Over the competition, a whopping 191,930 portions of strawberries are consumed. Pimm’s is the drink of choice, and 276,291 glasses are drunk.
The Royal Box includes, well, members of the royal family. The King and Queen rarely appear in the box, but the Prince and Princess of Wales are often seen there. In recent years, the trophies have been handed out by Kate Middleton. In 2022, Prince George joined his parents, and Djokovic gave him his trophy to hold.
The most successful players include Swiss Roger Federer, who has won eight men’s titles, and Czech Martina Navratilova, who has won nine women’s titles. This year, Djokovic is hoping to tie with Federer’s record, as he has won seven times. Djokovic has even started his own Wimbledon tradition when he wins by eating grass from the grounds.
Wimbledon 2026 tickets
Each year, a ballot for Wimbledon tickets opens in September. The ballot has closed, but don’t fret – there are ways of watching the action, and it’s not just on TV. This is one of the few sports where tickets can be purchased on the day.
Five hundred tickets for Centre Court are sold each day, except during the last four days of the tournament. Ground Pass tickets are available and give visitors access to courts three, 12 and 18, and The Hill (affectionately known as Henman Hill and Murray Mound, after the players Tim Henman and Andy Murray). Plus, there is a ticket resale scheme and last-minute tickets for American Express cardholders.
The British love to queue, so much so that Wimbledon has formed The Queue. If you join the line in Wimbledon Park by 9am, you have a good chance of getting onto the grounds. We’d recommend bringing a picnic blanket, food and drink, and arriving at sunrise. Note: There are toilets and food trucks. Eating grass is optional.
Anyone for the tennis?
Where: All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Church Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5AG
When: 29 June to 12 July 2026
Contact: www.wimbledon.com