Wimbledon embraces VAR as the tournament moves into a new era

Wimbledon, the oldest tournament in professional tennis — dating back to 1877 — is taking another step toward modernization. Following the lead of the US Open and the Australian Open, which introduced video review in 2023 and 2025 respectively, the All England Club will debut the technology at this year’s Championships, running from June 29 to July 12.

Six courts will feature video review

The new system will be available on six courts: Centre Court, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 12, and No. 18.

This upgrade will be paired with a significant enhancement to the existing Hawk-Eye system. Scoreboards — including those on outside courts — will now display clear visual indicators for balls ruled out and for service faults, making calls more transparent for fans and players.

Expanded rules for player challenges

Players will now be allowed to challenge chair-umpire decisions on a wider range of situations, including:

It’s a major shift for a tournament long known for tradition, signaling Wimbledon’s commitment to keeping pace with the sport’s technological evolution.

High Stakes for the ATP Rankings

The “Cathedral of Tennis” will once again play a pivotal role in the ATP race. Jannik Sinner enters the tournament defending 2,000 ranking points, a factor that could provide extra motivation for Carlos Alcaraz, who left the U.S. swing without a title after stops in Indian Wells and Miami.

With new technology on court and major ranking implications on the line, Wimbledon 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most compelling editions in recent memory.

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