Wimbledon: Prize Money, Schedule, Tickets & Complete Tournament Guide
Wimbledon 2026: Prize Money, Schedule, How to Watch, Tickets & Complete Tournament Guide
Wimbledon 2026 runs from Monday, June 29 through Sunday, July 12, delivering two weeks of grass-court tennis at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London. Whether you’re planning a trip to SW19, setting your alarm for early-morning streaming sessions, or simply want to understand how the tournament is structured, this is your all-in-one resource. Below you’ll find the full round-by-round schedule, prize money breakdown, ticket information, broadcast details, and everything else that makes The Championships the most beloved Grand Slam in the world.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 26 | Draw Ceremony | Main draw seedings announced at AELTC |
| Monday, June 29 | First Round Begins | Play on all show courts and outside courts |
| Tuesday, June 30 | First Round Continues | Remaining first-round matches completed |
| Wednesday, July 1 – Thursday, July 2 | Second Round | 128 players reduced to 32 |
| Friday, July 3 – Saturday, July 4 | Third Round | 32 players enter the second week picture |
| Sunday, July 5 | Middle Sunday (Rest Day) | Traditionally no play; possible exceptions |
| Monday, July 6 – Tuesday, July 7 | Round of 16 (Fourth Round) | 16 players in each singles draw remain |
| Wednesday, July 8 – Thursday, July 9 | Quarterfinals | Four matches each on Centre and Court 1 |
| Friday, July 10 | Women’s Semifinals | Two women’s singles semifinals on Centre Court |
| Saturday, July 11 | Men’s Semifinals | Two men’s singles semifinals on Centre Court |
| Saturday, July 11 | Ladies’ Singles Final | Scheduled for Centre Court in the afternoon |
| Sunday, July 12 | Gentlemen’s Singles Final | Centre Court, 2:00 PM BST |
Note: All dates are subject to weather delays. Wimbledon’s retractable roof on Centre Court and Court 1 allows play in rain, but outdoor courts can be suspended. The tournament has a built-in buffer day and has historically used the third Monday to complete unfinished matches.
Wimbledon 2026 Prize Money
Wimbledon consistently offers the largest prize fund of any Grand Slam, and 2026 is expected to continue that trend. The 2025 Championships distributed a total prize fund of £50 million, with the singles champions each receiving £2.7 million. Based on the AELTC’s pattern of approximately 6–8% annual increases, the 2026 prize fund is projected to reach approximately £53–55 million, with singles champions potentially earning close to £3 million for the first time in tournament history.
Prize money is distributed equally between the men’s and women’s singles draws, a policy Wimbledon has maintained since 2007.
| Round | Projected Prize (Per Player) | 2025 Prize (Reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | ~£2,950,000 | £2,700,000 |
| Runner-Up | ~£1,480,000 | £1,350,000 |
| Semifinalists (×2) | ~£740,000 each | £675,000 each |
| Quarterfinalists (×4) | ~£395,000 each | £360,000 each |
| Round of 16 (×8) | ~£210,000 each | £192,000 each |
| Third Round (×16) | ~£112,000 each | £102,000 each |
| Second Round (×32) | ~£62,000 each | £57,000 each |
| First Round (×64) | ~£37,000 each | £34,000 each |
All figures are projections based on 2025 prize money and historical growth rates. Official 2026 prize money will be announced by the AELTC prior to the start of the Championships.
How to Watch Wimbledon 2026
United Kingdom
The BBC holds the UK broadcast rights for Wimbledon and provides the most comprehensive free-to-air coverage of any Grand Slam on any broadcaster in the world. BBC One and BBC Two will carry live matches throughout the day, while BBC iPlayer streams additional courts simultaneously at no cost. BBC Sport also operates a dedicated Wimbledon live scores and news hub. Eurosport UK (part of Discovery+) carries supplementary coverage for subscribers.
United States
ESPN and ESPN2 hold the US broadcast rights for Wimbledon 2026. Live coverage typically begins around 6:00 AM ET, allowing American audiences to catch the end of the morning session. The ESPN app and ESPN+ provide streaming access for cord-cutters. The final rounds receive heavy primetime replay coverage for viewers who cannot watch live.
Australia
Nine Network (Channel 9, 9Gem, and the 9Now streaming platform) broadcasts Wimbledon in Australia. With a time difference of 9–10 hours ahead of BST, Australian fans typically watch the main draws late evening into the night.
Global Streaming
Wimbledon’s official website and app (wimbledon.com) streams select free court feeds globally. Many territories also have dedicated streaming platforms: Tennis Channel+ in the US, Stan Sport in Australia, and Amazon Prime Video in Japan, among others. Check your local broadcaster for the most up-to-date access.
Wimbledon 2026 Tickets
Tickets for Wimbledon 2026 are among the most sought-after in world sport. The AELTC distributes tickets through the following channels:
The Public Ballot
The annual public ballot for Wimbledon 2026 opened in late 2025 and closed in December. Successful ballot applicants received notification in February 2026 and had a window to purchase their allocated tickets. If you did not enter the ballot, this route is closed for 2026, but you can register for the 2027 ballot at wimbledon.com.
The Queue
The Queue is one of Wimbledon’s most beloved traditions. Each morning, fans camp overnight or arrive before dawn to join the line for same-day unreserved tickets. A limited number of ground passes and show court tickets (including Centre Court and Court 1) are held back for queueing fans. The Queue is free to join and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Dedicated Queue marshals manage the line and distribute numbered wristbands to guarantee your place.
- Ground Passes: Available daily. Access all outside courts and big-screen viewing areas.
- Centre Court & Court 1: A set number are released for The Queue each day; extremely competitive in the first week.
- Debenture Seats: Five-year debenture holders have premium reserved seats on Centre Court and Court 1 and may sell or transfer debentures through the official resale programme.
Resale
Wimbledon operates an official ticket resale programme (MyWimbledon) where ticket holders who cannot attend can return tickets for resale at face value. Third-party resale is officially discouraged; tickets purchased through unauthorised brokers cannot be guaranteed for entry.
The Courts: Centre, Court 1, and Beyond
The AELTC has 18 grass courts in total, each with a distinct character and capacity. Understanding the court layout enhances the Wimbledon experience for spectators and viewers alike.
| Court | Capacity | Roof | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Court | ~14,979 | Yes (retractable) | Main showpiece; all finals held here |
| Court 1 | ~12,345 | Yes (retractable) | Second main show court; quarterfinals and semis |
| Court 2 | ~4,000 | No | “The Graveyard of Champions” — famous for upsets |
| Court 3 | ~2,000 | No | Early-round matches, close to the action |
| Courts 4–18 | Standing/limited seating | No | Outside courts; intimate early-round atmosphere |
Wimbledon 2026: The Draw Structure
Each singles draw at Wimbledon contains 128 players — 96 direct acceptances based on ATP/WTA rankings at the seeding deadline, plus 16 seeded players, 8 wildcards, and 8 qualifiers. The qualifying tournament takes place the week before the main event at the Bank of England Sports Ground in Roehampton, where 128 players compete for 8 main draw places per singles draw.
The 32 seeds in each draw receive protected positioning: seeds 1 and 2 are placed in opposite halves; seeds 3 and 4 are drawn into each half; and seeds 5–8, 9–16, and 17–32 are distributed randomly within their respective quarters and eighths. This means the earliest a number 1 seed can face a number 2 seed is the final.
Surface and Conditions
Wimbledon’s playing surface is 100% perennial ryegrass, maintained to a height of exactly 8mm at the start of the tournament. The grass is grown in a soil mixture calibrated for drainage and consistency, with the courts re-seeded each autumn. Groundstaff at the AELTC number over 40 during The Championships, maintaining courts through daily rolling, watering, and line painting.
The surface plays fast in the early rounds — typically producing serve-dominated tennis with a lower bounce than any other Slam — but slows and sits up higher as the fortnight progresses and the grass compresses under foot traffic. This is why second-week Wimbledon often rewards baseline ability more than first-week play, a fact not lost on coaches like the Alcaraz team, who have engineered his game specifically to peak in week two.
Wimbledon Traditions Worth Knowing
- All-White Clothing Rule: Players must wear predominantly white from the moment they step onto the court. The AELTC enforces this strictly, and players have been required to change clothing items that violated the rule.
- Strawberries and Cream: Over 140,000 portions are sold during The Championships each year, supplied by a dedicated British farming partnership.
- Royal Box: Located on Centre Court, the Royal Box seats approximately 74 guests. Players traditionally bow or curtsy to the Royal Box — though this is now required only when a member of the Royal Family is present.
- No Advertising on Court: Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam with no on-court advertising. The green and purple colour scheme is maintained throughout the grounds without commercial branding on the playing surfaces.
- The Queue: Described above — one of the great sporting institutions, unique to Wimbledon in the modern era.
Wimbledon 2026 FAQ
When does Wimbledon 2026 start and end?
Wimbledon 2026 begins on Monday, June 29, 2026, and concludes with the men’s singles final on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The qualifying tournament takes place the week prior at Roehampton.
How much prize money does the Wimbledon 2026 winner receive?
The official prize money for 2026 has not yet been confirmed, but based on the 2025 prize fund of £50 million (with singles champions earning £2.7 million each), the 2026 singles champions are projected to earn approximately £2.95 million each. The AELTC will confirm figures before the tournament begins.
How can I get Wimbledon 2026 tickets?
The public ballot for 2026 closed in December 2025. Same-day tickets are available via The Queue, where fans line up (often overnight) outside the grounds for unreserved tickets released on a daily basis. The AELTC also operates an official resale scheme (MyWimbledon) where face-value tickets are released when original holders cannot attend.
What channel is Wimbledon 2026 on in the US?
Wimbledon 2026 is broadcast in the United States on ESPN and ESPN2. Streaming is available via the ESPN app and ESPN+. Coverage typically starts around 6:00 AM Eastern Time each day to align with morning session play in London.
What is Middle Sunday at Wimbledon?
Middle Sunday is the traditional rest day between the first and second weeks of Wimbledon, falling on the Sunday after the first seven days of play. Historically no matches were scheduled, though in 2004 and 2021 play was held due to weather washouts earlier in the tournament. For 2026, the rest day falls on Sunday, July 5.
Is there a roof on Centre Court at Wimbledon?
Yes. Centre Court’s retractable roof was installed in 2009, and Court 1’s roof was completed in 2019. Both roofs can be closed within minutes, allowing play to continue during rain. The remaining 16 courts are open-air and subject to weather suspension.
Why do Wimbledon players wear all white?
Wimbledon’s all-white clothing rule dates back to the Victorian era, when the sport was played as a social activity among England’s upper classes. White was considered the most appropriate colour for a formal sporting occasion and helped conceal perspiration. The AELTC has maintained the rule in deference to tradition; it remains one of the most distinctive customs distinguishing Wimbledon from all other Grand Slams.
How many sets is a Wimbledon singles match?
Men’s singles matches are played best-of-five sets. Women’s singles matches are played best-of-three sets. Both draws use a final-set tiebreak at 6-6 in the deciding set, a rule introduced at Wimbledon in 2019 after the famous Isner–Mahut match in 2010 lasted 11 hours 5 minutes across three days.
What to Expect in 2026
Wimbledon 2026 enters a particularly compelling era. Carlos Alcaraz seeks to become the first player since Björn Borg to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles. Jannik Sinner brings a world No. 1 ranking and an evolved grass-court game into SW19 for the first time as the clear favourite on paper. Novak Djokovic’s ambitions remain undiminished at 39 years old. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka’s search for the one Major title that has eluded her, combined with Iga Swiatek’s determination to complete a career Grand Slam, sets up a final of historic proportions if either reaches the climax.
The Championships remain sport at its most ceremonious — two weeks when the world’s attention locks onto a corner of southwest London, where strawberries are eaten by the tray and the roar of Centre Court carries across Wimbledon Park. However Wimbledon 2026 plays out, it will be watched, argued over, and remembered.
