here are Grand Slam tournaments, and then there’s Wimbledon. No other event in professional tennis carries the same sense of history, ceremony, and tradition as The Championships, Wimbledon, held each summer at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in London. From its immaculate grass courts to its famous strawberries and cream, Wimbledon remains one of the sporting world’s most enduring rituals.
Here’s everything you need to know before Wimbledon 2026 begins.
When is Wimbledon 2026?
The tournament runs from Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 12, 2026, marking the 139th edition of The Championships. Qualifying matches take place from June 22 to June 25.
Where is Wimbledon played?
All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
Church Road, Wimbledon
London, England
The Grass Courts
Wimbledon features 38 courts in total, including 18 grass courts used for competition and 20 practice courts.
The grass surface is far more than an aesthetic choice—it’s what makes Wimbledon unique. Today, it remains the only Grand Slam tournament still played on grass, preserving the sport’s original playing surface and creating a faster, lower-bouncing style of tennis unlike any other major championship.
Players to Watch
Among the biggest names expected to headline Wimbledon 2026 are:
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Jannik Sinner
- Coco Gauff
- Iga Świątek
- Alexander Zverev
- Mirra Andreeva
- Flavio Cobolli
Wimbledon’s Famous All-White Dress Code
Few sporting events enforce tradition quite like Wimbledon. The tournament’s iconic all-white dress code remains one of its defining characteristics and is applied to every player without exception.
Competitors must follow these rules:
- Clothing must be almost entirely white.
- Cream or off-white shades are not permitted.
- Colored trim cannot exceed one centimeter in width.
- Socks must be completely white.
- Hats, visors, and wristbands must also be white.
- Shoes should be predominantly white.
- Logos must remain small and discreet.
- Undergarments should not be visible.
Strawberries and Cream: A Tradition Older Than Tennis
No Wimbledon experience is complete without strawberries and cream, a tradition dating back to 1877, the year the tournament was first held.
Throughout the Championships, more than 140,000 servings are prepared using freshly harvested British strawberries paired with traditional double cream.
Legend traces the pairing back even further, to King Henry VIII, who is said to have enjoyed wild strawberries and cream during a visit to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey’s residence—centuries before modern tennis even existed.
The Day Wimbledon Changed Television
On July 1, 1967, Wimbledon made broadcasting history by becoming the setting for the United Kingdom’s first official color television broadcast. BBC Two aired four hours of live coverage, making it Europe’s first channel to broadcast regularly in color.
Interestingly, tennis balls were originally white. They didn’t become the now-familiar yellow until 1986, when the change made them easier to see on color television.
Technology Finally Arrives at Wimbledon
For the first time in tournament history, Wimbledon 2026 introduces video review, allowing players to challenge selected chair umpire decisions on Centre Court, No. 1 Court, and other main show courts hosting singles matches.
After nearly 140 years defined by tradition, even Wimbledon is embracing technology—while remaining unmistakably true to the character that has made it the sport’s most iconic championship.
