Wimbledon 2026 begins next week with major storylines
The Wimbledon Championships are set to start on Monday, 29 June 2026, at the All England Club in SW19. Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn due to a wrist injury, while defending champion Jannik Sinner returns aiming to retain his title. Aryna Sabalenka, world No. 1 in women's singles, leads the contenders alongside defending champion Iga Świątek. The Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, have been awarded a wildcard into the women's doubles draw, marking their first Wimbledon doubles appearance together in ten years; they last won the title in 2016.
Key dates and schedule for Wimbledon 2026
The tournament runs from Monday, 29 June to Sunday, 12 July. First round matches take place June 29–30, second round July 1–2, third round July 3–4, fourth round July 5–6, quarter-finals July 7–8, ladies' semi-finals on Thursday 9 July, gentlemen's semi-finals on Friday 10 July, ladies' final on Saturday 11 July, and gentlemen's final on Sunday 12 July.
BBC commentary team and coverage details
BBC Sport's daily television coverage on BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC iPlayer will be fronted by Clare Balding and Isa Guha. The expert pundit lineup includes John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Pat Cash, Tim Henman OBE, Annabel Croft, and Kyle Edmund. This tournament marks Andrew Castle's farewell after more than two decades of Wimbledon commentary. Former champions Andre Agassi, Jamie Murray OBE, Genie Bouchard, and Laura Robson also join the team. Jamie Murray will provide analysis using enhanced match data and technology. Bouchard makes her BBC Wimbledon debut, offering a contemporary player's perspective. Robson returns for courtside analysis. Radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra, and BBC Sounds will be led by Gigi Salmon and Clare McDonnell, with Russell Fuller providing commentary and cross-platform journalism.
How to watch Wimbledon 2026 at home
Fans can watch every match from all 18 courts live on BBC iPlayer. A daily podcast from the 5 Live team will be available on BBC Sounds. Daily live coverage also airs on BBC One and BBC Two. Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: "Wimbledon remains one of the defining moments of the sporting year... Our aim is simple: to bring audiences closer to each story and moment that defines Wimbledon, whether they are watching clips on their phone, TV, listening to the radio or following live text."
British players competing at Wimbledon 2026
Andy Murray, the last British Wimbledon singles champion (men's 2016), will coach Jack Draper during the tournament. Draper, a US Open semi-finalist, is Britain's top men's hope but is recovering from injury. Cameron Norrie, who withdrew from the French Open first round due to injury, is expected to return at Queen's Club. Dan Evans recently confirmed Wimbledon will be his final professional tournament; he must qualify. Other British men on the entry list include Jan Choinski, Jacob Fearnley, Jack Pinnington Jones, Arthur Fery, Toby Samuel, Felix Gill, and Harry Wendelken. On the women's side, Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter aim to build on strong Queen's performances (final and semi-finals respectively). Francesca Jones, Harriet Dart, Katie Swan, Alicia Dudeney, Mika Stojsavljevic, Mimi Xu, and Hannah Klugman are also in the women's singles draw.
