Wimbledon is back this summer, and it always feels like one of those events that quietly becomes part of London for a couple of weeks.
Even if you are not going to Wimbledon in person, it has a way of finding its way into the week. You hear people talking about the matches, checking the scores, wondering who is still in the draw, or making plans for the finals weekend.
So I thought it would be useful to put the main things in one place.
Below, you’ll find the key Wimbledon 2026 dates, a simple guide to the schedule, how to watch the matches, and a few things worth knowing before the tournament begins.
And if you are looking for somewhere to watch Wimbledon in Chelsea, we’ll also be showing the tennis at Riccardo’s on Fulham Road.
When is Wimbledon 2026?
Wimbledon 2026 runs from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July 2026.
The main tournament takes place over two weeks, with the earlier rounds during the first few days and the singles finals on the final weekend.
The qualifying competition takes place the week before, from Monday 22 June to Thursday 25 June, at the Wimbledon Community Sports Centre in Roehampton.
Here is the simple version:
| Part of Wimbledon 2026 | Dates |
|---|---|
| Qualifying competition | Monday 22 June to Thursday 25 June 2026 |
| Main Championships | Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July 2026 |
| Ladies’ Singles Final | Saturday 11 July 2026 |
| Gentlemen’s Singles Final | Sunday 12 July 2026 |
The order of play can change as the tournament goes on, so if you are planning around a particular match, it is worth checking the official Wimbledon schedule before you leave.
A Simple Guide to the Wimbledon 2026 Schedule
If you are trying to understand the tournament at a glance, it helps to think of Wimbledon in stages.
The first few days are full of early-round matches, with lots happening across the grounds. As the tournament goes on, the draw starts to narrow, the bigger matches become easier to follow, and by the final weekend most of the attention is on Centre Court.
Here is a simple guide to the main singles, doubles, and mixed doubles schedule:
| Date | Main schedule |
|---|---|
| Monday 29 June | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles First Round |
| Tuesday 30 June | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles First Round |
| Wednesday 1 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Second Round Gentlemen’s Doubles First Round |
| Thursday 2 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Second Round Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Doubles First Round |
| Friday 3 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Third Round Gentlemen’s Doubles Second Round Ladies’ Doubles First Round Mixed Doubles First Round |
| Saturday 4 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Third Round Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Doubles Second Round Mixed Doubles First Round |
| Sunday 5 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Fourth Round Gentlemen’s Doubles Third Round Ladies’ Doubles Second Round Mixed Doubles Second Round |
| Monday 6 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Fourth Round Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Doubles Third Round Mixed Doubles Quarter-finals |
| Tuesday 7 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Quarter-finals Gentlemen’s Doubles Quarter-finals Ladies’ Doubles Third Round Mixed Doubles Semi-finals |
| Wednesday 8 July | Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles Quarter-finals Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Doubles Quarter-finals |
| Thursday 9 July | Ladies’ Singles Semi-finals Gentlemen’s Doubles Semi-finals Ladies’ Doubles Quarter-finals Mixed Doubles Final |
| Friday 10 July | Gentlemen’s Singles Semi-finals Ladies’ Doubles Semi-finals |
| Saturday 11 July | Ladies’ Singles Final Gentlemen’s Doubles Final |
| Sunday 12 July | Gentlemen’s Singles Final Ladies’ Doubles Final |
The schedule above is only a broad guide. The exact order of play can change from day to day, depending on the weather, match length, and how the tournament unfolds.
If there is a particular player or match you want to follow, it is best to check the official order of play the evening before.
As a general rule, the earlier days are better if you enjoy seeing more tennis across the tournament. The final weekend is the one most people plan around, especially if they only follow Wimbledon casually.
British Players to Look Out For at Wimbledon 2026
Part of the fun of Wimbledon is having a few British players to follow through the tournament.
At the time of writing, some of the main British names to look out for include Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter on the women’s side, and Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper on the men’s side.
There are also British players to follow in the wheelchair draws, including Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, and Andy Lapthorne.
Of course, entry lists, wildcards, injuries, and the draw can all change close to the tournament, so it is worth checking the latest Wimbledon entry list before the first round begins.
Fun fact: Queen’s and Wimbledon have a lovely tennis connection. Over the years, several players have won at Queen’s and then gone on to win Wimbledon in the same summer, including Andy Murray and Carlos Alcaraz.
How to Watch Wimbledon 2026 in the UK
In the UK, Wimbledon 2026 will be available on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC digital services, BBC Radio 5 Live, and BBC Sounds.
Coverage is expected every day from 11am, with highlights in the evening.
That makes it easy to follow the tournament in the way that suits you best. You can watch properly from home, listen while travelling, keep an eye on the scores during the day, or settle in somewhere comfortable for one of the bigger matches.
The finals weekend is usually when most casual viewers tune in, but the first week can be just as enjoyable if you like seeing more players, more matches, and a few surprises along the way.
And if you are in Chelsea during the tournament, Riccardo’s will be showing Wimbledon on Fulham Road too.
Watch Wimbledon at Riccardo’s on Fulham Road
If you are in Chelsea and would like to keep an eye on the tennis over lunch or dinner, you are very welcome to join us on Fulham Road.
It does not need to be a big plan. You might want to follow part of the afternoon play, meet a friend during the tournament, or book ahead for finals weekend.
To bring a little of the Wimbledon tradition to the table, we’ll also be serving a complimentary side of strawberries and cream for guests joining us to watch the tennis.
If there is a particular match you would like to watch, it is worth calling ahead and mentioning Wimbledon, so the team can let you know what will be showing and help you choose the best time to come in.
Find Riccardo’s in Chelsea
You will find Riccardo’s at:
📍126 Fulham Road
Chelsea
SW3 6HU
Riccardo’s is on Fulham Road in Chelsea, a short walk from South Kensington and close to the King’s Road.
If you would like to join us during The Championships, we would be very happy to welcome you.
You can call 020 7370 6656 or book a table online.