The grass is cut, the strawberries are ready, and the world’s oldest tennis tournament is back.
Here is when Wimbledon 2026 starts, the full schedule, and what time play begins where you are.
Key Dates, From Qualifying to the Finals
Wimbledon is held in SW19, a leafy district in southwest London. The grounds sit close to two stations that most spectators use. The 2026 Championships, the 139th edition, run from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Qualifying was completed from 22 to 25 June, away from the main grounds.
| Stage | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Qualifying competition | 22 to 25 June |
| Main draw begins (first round) | Monday 29 June |
| Middle Sunday (full play) | Sunday 5 July |
| Quarter-finals | 7 to 8 July |
| Semi-finals | 9 to 10 July |
| Ladies’ Singles final | Saturday 11 July |
| Gentlemen’s Singles final | Sunday 12 July |
If you plan to attend in person, lock in flights to London and hotels in London early, as the city fills up fast during the Championships.
What Time Play Starts in Your Time Zone
Wimbledon does not set fixed start times for individual matches. Each day’s order of play is announced the evening before, and matches follow one another on each court.
You can still plan around the daily session start times. London runs on British Summer Time in July, so the conversions below hold throughout the fortnight.
Daily Session Start Times
From Day 1 to Day 12, play begins at these times on the main courts:
| Court (London time) | Saudi / Qatar / Bahrain / Kuwait | UAE / Oman | Pakistan | India / Sri Lanka | Nepal | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside courts, 11:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 3:45 PM | 4:00 PM |
| No.1 Court, 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 5:30 PM | 5:45 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Centre Court, 1:30 PM | 3:30 PM | 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM | 6:00 PM | 6:15 PM | 6:30 PM |
The outside courts open earliest, so arriving in the morning gives you the most tennis across the grounds.
Finals Weekend Start Times
On finals weekend, 11 and 12 July, Centre Court play starts earlier in the day. The singles final itself is scheduled for 4:00 PM London time, the later start adopted in 2025.
| Session (London time) | Saudi / Qatar / Bahrain / Kuwait | UAE / Oman | Pakistan | India / Sri Lanka | Nepal | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Court play begins, 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 5:30 PM | 5:45 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Singles final (scheduled), 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 8:45 PM | 9:00 PM |
Exact timings are confirmed by the Championships referee the evening before and posted on the official Wimbledon site and app.
What’s New This Year
Beyond the tennis, 2026 brings a few firsts.
- Video review arrives: for the first time, players can ask the chair umpire to review certain calls, such as a double bounce, using video. It runs on Centre Court, No.1 Court and four other show courts during singles matches.
- Record prize money: the total fund rises around 20% to a record £64.2 million, with each singles champion earning £3.6 million.
- Wimbledon in New York: the All England Club has built a pop-up grass court in Central Park, with exhibition matches and free public play in the days before the main draw.
Electronic line calling, which replaced human line judges in 2025, continues, so video review now sits alongside the automated in and out calls.
Getting to London: Flights, Hotels and Visas
London is one of the world’s best-connected cities, with direct flights from across the Gulf and South Asia into its main airports.
Most long-haul arrivals land at Heathrow or Gatwick, both with fast rail links into the centre.
- Flights: compare fares to London across dates, as prices climb during the Championships and the summer peak.
- Where to stay: browse where to stay in London, with areas along the District line keeping you close to SW19.
- Entry rules: sort out your visa or travel authorisation before you book flights.
Many South Asian travellers need a UK Standard Visitor visa, while several Gulf nationals can now enter using the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation.
Confirm your status with the official UK government visa checker, and see how the UK eVisa system works before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Wimbledon 2026 start and finish?
The main draw runs from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July 2026. Qualifying was held from 22 to 25 June, just before the main draw, away from the main grounds.
What time do the finals start in the Gulf and South Asia?
The singles finals are scheduled for 4:00 PM London time.
That is 6:00 PM in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait; 7:00 PM in the UAE and Oman; 8:00 PM in Pakistan; 8:30 PM in India and Sri Lanka; 8:45 PM in Nepal; and 9:00 PM in Bangladesh.
Why are there no exact start times for each match?
Wimbledon schedules matches in an order of play, not at fixed clock times. The referee releases each day’s order the evening before, and matches follow one another on each court.
Do I need a visa to attend Wimbledon?
It depends on your nationality. Many South Asian travellers need a UK Standard Visitor visa, while several Gulf nationals can enter with a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. Always confirm your status on the official UK government website before booking.
Sources
- The Championships, Wimbledon: Schedule
- Wimbledon: When Does Play Start
- ATP Tour: 2026 Wimbledon Prize Money
- Deccan Chronicle: Wimbledon 2026 Video Review Technology
- GOV.UK: Check if You Need a UK Visa
- The Championships, Wimbledon: The Wimbledon Court in Central Park
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
