BBC SECURES FREE-TO-AIR WIMBLEDON COVERAGE THROUGH TO 2033

BBC Sport and The All England Lawn Tennis Club have today announced a major new agreement that will see The Championships, Wimbledon remain free-to-air for audiences across the UK through to and including 2033.

The landmark extension continues one of the most iconic and enduring partnerships in British broadcasting and sport. The BBC first broadcast Wimbledon in 1927 and, for generations, The Championships has occupied a unique place in the national calendar, bringing unforgettable sporting moments to millions across television, radio and digital platforms.

Under the new deal, audiences will continue to enjoy comprehensive live coverage of The Championships across BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, as well as across BBC Sport’s extensive social channels.

This year’s Wimbledon coverage will usher in a fresh new editorial and creative approach from BBC Sport, featuring new voices and personalities, deeper storytelling, enhanced analysis, and technology across TV, radio, online and social platforms - all designed to bring audiences closer into The Championships than ever before.

The announcement follows record-breaking digital audiences for Wimbledon on BBC platforms last summer. Wimbledon generated 69.3 million online requests across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app - the highest digital engagement for The Championships ever recorded. The figure surpassed the previous record of 54.3 million set in 2023 and marked a significant increase on the 50.1 million online requests recorded in 2024.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said: “Wimbledon holds a truly special place in the hearts of audiences across the UK and this new agreement means we can continue our longstanding and deeply valued partnership with the All England Club well into the next decade...

"This is about celebrating one of the world’s greatest sporting events while continuing to evolve how we bring it to audiences. With new technology, fresh storytelling, new voices and innovative ways to connect with fans across television, radio, online and social media, we are excited to build the future of Wimbledon coverage together and bring audiences even closer to The Championships than ever before.”

Deborah Jevans CBE, Chair of the All England Club, said: “We are delighted to extend our historic partnership with the BBC through to 2033. For nearly a century, we have worked together to bring the magic of Wimbledon to generations of fans in the UK...

"This agreement reflects our absolute commitment to ensuring Wimbledon remains freely available to the widest possible audience across the nation, enabled by the breadth and reach of the BBC’s platforms, and their clear and continued ambition to enhance the audience experience. We are looking forward to working with the BBC as together we continue to evolve our coverage of The Championships.”

More details will be announced in due course.