The BBC has secured transmission rights to Wimbledon through 2033, ensuring the Grand Slam tournament will remain free to air for UK audiences for no fewer than another seven years. The new agreement with the All England Club means extensive live broadcasting will persist across BBC television, radio and online services, such as BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app. The deal comes as the BBC prepares to mark a century of broadcasting the Championships, with the 2025 event marking 100 years since the corporation originally broadcast Wimbledon in 1927. The 2026 tournament begins on Monday, with defending champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek ready to step to the courts.
A hundred years of partnership continues
The BBC’s connection to Wimbledon dates back nearly a hundred years, making it one of the most durable partnerships in British broadcasting history. When the corporation initially broadcast the Championships in 1927, it was a pioneering moment for sports broadcasting. That landmark broadcast laid the foundation for what would become a defining feature of the summer in Britain, with generations of viewers raised watching the tournament play out on their screens. The longevity of this partnership speaks to the reciprocal respect and aligned values between the BBC and the All England Club.
Looking ahead to 2027, the centenary year will hold particular significance for both organisations. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, highlighted the value of this milestone, stating that the new agreement allows the BBC to “continue our longstanding and deeply valued partnership with the All England Club well into the next decade.” The corporation intends to celebrate this momentous event with fresh creative approaches, new voices, and innovative storytelling that will celebrate the tournament’s heritage whilst incorporating cutting-edge broadcast technology. This balance between tradition and innovation will determine how the BBC brings Wimbledon to audiences in the years ahead.
- BBC initially televised Wimbledon in 1927, almost 100 years ago
- Partnership remains free to air for all UK audiences across the country
- 2027 will mark the 100th anniversary of BBC Wimbledon coverage
- New deal prolongs broadcasting rights until 2033
Digital revolution transforms viewer interaction
The BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon has experienced a significant digital transformation in recent times, with online audiences increasingly turning to the corporation’s platforms to follow the Championships. The 2025 tournament proved a turning point for online participation, generating 69.3 million online requests across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app—a figure that exceeded the previous record and highlighted the growing appetite for flexible, accessible sports coverage. This surge in digital viewership reflects wider shifts in how UK viewers consume major sporting events, with many preferring to watch highlights, follow live scores, or access exclusive content on their own schedules rather than tuning in to traditional television broadcasts.
The BBC’s commitment to digital infrastructure and programming approach has clearly resonated with viewers. The 2025 figures show a significant 27.5 per cent rise on the 54.3 million requests logged in 2023, highlighting expanding demand year on year. This digital expansion has shaped the corporation’s strategy for the new broadcasting deal with the All England Club. Under the extended deal through 2033, the BBC plans to leverage advanced technical capabilities and innovative storytelling across all platforms, guaranteeing Wimbledon stays accessible and engaging for audiences whether they choose to watch on television, listen on radio, or engage through digital and social media channels.
| Year | Online Requests (millions) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 54.3 |
| 2024 | 50.1 |
| 2025 | 69.3 |
| 2026 | Ongoing |
Enhanced reach and new viewpoints
Creative narrative and digital innovation
The BBC’s renewed commitment to Wimbledon coverage goes well past just upholding the status quo. Under the fresh transmission contract, BBC Sport will introduce a complete reimagining of its content and creative strategy, bringing fresh voices and personalities to the fore. This planned transformation acknowledges that audiences now anticipate vibrant, captivating storytelling that transcends standard match analysis. By backing emerging voices and viewpoints, the BBC intends to strengthen the discourse about the Championships, offering viewers richer context about the players, the history, and the drama that unfolds across the playing surfaces of the All England Club annually.
Technology will serve a key function in this transformation, with the BBC leveraging the latest innovations to elevate viewer experience across all platforms. From advanced analytical features to immersive visual presentations, the corporation intends to employ state-of-the-art solutions to bring viewers nearer to the event than previously possible. Alex Kay-Jelski stressed this pledge, noting that the working relationship will advance through new technology and innovative ways to connect with viewers. These upgrades will cover broadcast, digital, and social channels, ensuring that whether people are following live matches or accessing edited coverage and insider material, they witness Wimbledon in increasingly sophisticated and compelling ways.
- Emerging voices and personalities presenting across all BBC platforms and channels
- Deeper storytelling examining player narratives and historical context of the Championship
- Enhanced analysis providing expert insight and technical breakdown of matches
- Innovative technology creating immersive broadcast experiences for audiences nationwide
- Expanded social media engagement bringing fans closer to match coverage daily
What supporters can anticipate in 2026
This year’s Wimbledon Championships offer an exciting blend of tradition and innovation as the BBC introduces its revamped coverage strategy. The tournament, which starts on Monday, will see reigning winners Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek defend their singles titles for another year. For audiences in the United Kingdom, the 2026 edition constitutes an chance to experience the Championships through a distinctly contemporary lens, with the BBC’s fresh creative approach developed to capture both the sporting excellence and the captivating individual stories that render Wimbledon such a beloved institution in the British sporting calendar.
The timing of this extension holds considerable significance, as next year will mark a centenary milestone—100 years since the BBC initially aired Wimbledon back in 1927. This historic context underscores the deep relationship between the corporation and the All England Club, a collaboration that has developed substantially since those initial wireless transmissions. The 2026 tournament will celebrate this legacy whilst simultaneously pushing forward with modern narrative approaches and technological innovations that demonstrate how today’s viewers engage with sporting coverage, guaranteeing that Wimbledon remains relevant and compelling for both long-standing fans and newer generations of tennis fans.
Accessible across multiple platforms
The BBC’s dedication to accessibility continues to be at the heart of its Wimbledon coverage, with broad live broadcasting accessible via various platforms. Audiences can access matches on BBC television, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport app and website, alongside broad coverage across BBC Sport’s social media channels. This multi-platform approach guarantees that whether viewers choose standard television, on-demand streaming, audio commentary, or social media interaction, they can watch Wimbledon coverage in the manner that works best for their preferences and lifestyle.