Order of Play at Wimbledon Today: Schedule & Match Times

Few sporting traditions feel as carefully choreographed as a day at Wimbledon, from the moment the gates swing open at 10am to the final point under the floodlights. Whether you’re queueing for a Ground Pass or following from a living room, knowing the order of play is your best tool for making the most of the Championships.

Grounds open daily: 10:00 BST ·
Play begins (outside courts): 11:00 BST ·
Order of Play released: Night before each day ·
Where to find OOP online: wimbledon.com/scores/schedule ·
Where to find OOP on site: Gate 3 piazza & Debenture Centre

Five key details that shape every day at the All England Club:

How can I view the order of play at Wimbledon today?

Where is the order of play displayed at the venue?

• The daily order of play is displayed in the Gate 3 piazza and outside the Debenture Holders’ facilities on the north side of Centre Court (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).
• Large screens near the entrances also show the schedule, updated as matches progress.

The implication: if you’re on-site, head to the Gate 3 piazza first thing – it’s the central hub for all schedule information.

Can I see the order of play online?

• The official order of play is published on wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/schedule.
• BBC Sport provides live scores and the full schedule at bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon (BBC Sport (UK broadcaster and official rights holder)).
• The Wimbledon app and social media channels also carry the schedule (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).

The pattern: the order of play is released the night before, between 4pm and 8pm, so it’s worth checking late evening to plan your next day.

The pattern: checking the night before is essential for maximising your day.

What time do the grounds open and matches start at Wimbledon?

When does play begin on outside courts?

• Play begins on outside courts at 11:00 BST every day (Wimbledon Official Help Centre (tournament guidance)).
• Outside Courts start two hours before the show courts, giving Ground Pass holders a head start (Green and Purple (tennis fan guide)).

What time do debenture holders’ restaurants open?

• Debenture holders’ restaurants and bars open at 10:30 BST (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).
• Centre Court play begins at 13:30 BST from Day 1 to Day 12, shifting to 13:00 BST on Finals Weekend (Wimbledon Official Help Centre (tournament guidance)).
• No.1 Court play begins at 13:00 BST during the first 12 days, and at 11:00 BST on Finals Weekend (Wimbledon Official Help Centre (tournament guidance)).

The trade-off: arriving at 10am gives you access to the grounds and a full hour to settle in before the first ball is struck. Debenture holders get an extra 30-minute head start on dining.

The implication: planning your arrival time is critical to maximising court coverage.

Where can I find the official Wimbledon schedule and results?

What is the full draw schedule?

• The full draw schedule is available at wimbledon.com/the_championships/schedule (Wimbledon official website (tournament authority)).
• Order of play is released the night before each day’s play (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).

How to access match results?

• Results are displayed at the venue in Gate 3 piazza and outside the Debenture Centre (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).
• BBC Sport’s live score page updates in real time during matches (BBC Sport (UK broadcaster and official rights holder)).

The catch: the official website is the single source of truth – but if you’re on the move, the BBC Sport app is faster for live updates.

What are the dates for the Wimbledon Championships in 2026?

When do the finals take place?

• The Championships 2026 will be played from June 29 to July 12 (Wimbledon official website (tournament authority)).
• The tournament lasts 14 days, including Middle Sunday (a rest day). Finals are on Saturday (Ladies’ Singles) and Sunday (Men’s Singles).

What is the typical duration of the Championships?

• The Championships have run for 14 consecutive days since 2022 (previously 13 with a Middle Sunday rest).
• Centre Court finals are scheduled for 14:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday, though the start time was shifted to 16:00 BST in recent years for broadcast reasons – a change that remains controversial.

The pattern: if you’re booking travel for 2026, aim for the second week to catch the quarter-finals onwards, but don’t expect to see a final before 4pm.

How does the Wimbledon order of play work for different courts?

What courts are used each day?

• Play begins on outside courts at 11:00 BST (Wimbledon Official Help Centre (tournament guidance)).
• Show courts (Centre Court, No.1 Court, No.2 Court) have later start times: No.1 at 13:00 BST, Centre at 13:30 BST.

How are matches scheduled across courts?

• The order of play is determined by the tournament referee and is usually announced between 4pm and 8pm the evening before (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).
• Outside courts run continuously from 11am until the last match finishes, usually around 9pm depending on weather and light (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).
• There is a curfew at 11:00pm (Tickets to Wimbledon (official ticketing partner)).

The implication: the two-hour gap between outside courts and show courts means you can watch early matches on the outer courts and then move to a show court for the afternoon – that’s the ideal Ground Pass strategy.

What this means: always have a backup plan for late matches.

How to Access the Order of Play: Step-by-Step

1. Check wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/schedule after 4pm the previous day – the order is typically posted between 4pm and 8pm.
2. Open the Wimbledon app on your phone for mobile-friendly viewing.
3. Arrive at the grounds by 10am and check the piazza display by Gate 3 for any last-minute changes.
4. Follow BBC Sport for live score updates and schedule changes as the day unfolds.
5. If you have a Ground Pass, target outside courts from 11am; make your way to a show court after 1pm.

Timeline of a Typical Day at Wimbledon

• 10:00 BST – Grounds open to the public
• 10:30 BST – Debenture holders’ restaurants and bars open
• 11:00 BST – Play begins on all outside courts
• 13:00 BST – Play begins on No.1 Court (and No.2 Court)
• 13:30 BST – Play begins on Centre Court
• ~21:00 BST – Play usually closes (depending on weather and matches)
• 23:00 BST – Curfew; all play must cease
• Night before – Order of Play released (4pm–8pm)

Clarity Check

What the Experts Say

“The order of play is publicised on The Championships’ website, the Wimbledon app and on social media channels – and is also displayed in the Gate 3 piazza and outside the Debenture Holders’ facilities.”
— A spokesperson for the All England Club (via Tickets to Wimbledon)

“Outside Courts start 2 hours before the Show Courts – so if you have a Ground Pass, you can watch a full morning of tennis before moving to a show court for the afternoon.”
— Green and Purple (tennis fan guide)

“Play on Centre Court begins at 1:30pm from Day 1 to Day 12. On Finals Weekend, Centre Court starts at 1pm.”
— Wimbledon Official Help Centre (tournament guidance)

For the casual visitor, the staggered start times mean you can pack up to 12 hours of tennis into a single day if you plan well. The pattern is consistent: early birds catch the outside courts, the afternoon belongs to show courts, and the evening brings drama under the lights – provided the curfew doesn’t cut it short.

For tennis fans catching the action live, the order of play at Wimbledon today is essential for planning which matches to follow.

Frequently asked questions

For tennis fans planning their day at SW19, the key is to check the order of play the night before and arrive by 10am to maximise match viewing. The Ground Pass remains the best value entry point for spectators who want to see multiple matches across a range of courts. With the right strategy, you can watch world-class tennis from 11am until dusk – and if you time it right, you might even catch a Centre Court finish under the lights.