Wimbledon 2026 begins on Monday 29 June and runs to Sunday 12 July, and across all 14 days a ring of road closures, parking suspensions and banned turns will lock down the residential streets around the All England Lawn Tennis Club on Church Road, SW19, The Westminster Pimlico News has confirmed from Merton Council and Wandsworth Council orders. The restrictions, which run daily from 8.30am, are designed to keep crowds safe, divert through-traffic and protect resident parking while more than 500,000 spectators pass through the grounds. If you are driving, queueing, delivering or simply living nearby, here is exactly what is shut, when, where and why — plus the smarter ways to reach the tennis and the best places to watch it free on a big screen across London.
This guide brings together the official Merton Council traffic order, the Wandsworth and Southfields parking changes, Transport for London bus diversions and the latest travel advice for the fortnight. Every street name, time and exemption below is drawn from the published 2026 orders, so you can plan with confidence rather than guesswork.
Wimbledon 2026 road closures at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | The Championships, Wimbledon 2026 |
| Dates | Monday 29 June – Sunday 12 July 2026 (14 days) |
| Venue | All England Lawn Tennis Club, Church Road, London SW19 5AE |
| Closure hours | Daily 8.30am – 11.30pm (parking controls from 8.30am) |
| Lead authority | Merton Council (closures) and Wandsworth Council (Southfields) |
| Nearest Tube | Southfields (District line), 10–15 min walk |
| Bus affected | Route 493 diverted throughout the tournament |
| Driving advice | Strongly discouraged; no on-day car park sales except Morden Park & Ride |
Which roads are closed during Wimbledon 2026
Under the Merton Council traffic order, the following roads are closed to all motor vehicles except emergency services between 8.30am and 11.30pm on every day of the Championships. Each street keeps a narrow list of exempted vehicles — typically resident permit holders, taxis, care workers, deliveries and essential event traffic — but for ordinary drivers and visitors these streets are effectively no-go zones during play.
Full street-by-street closure list (8.30am–11.30pm daily)
| Road | Restricted section | Who is still allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Bathgate Road | Between Somerset Road and Queensmere Road | Event vehicles, care workers, courtesy cars, deliveries, press, car-park permit holders, residents, taxis |
| Beltane Drive | Whole road | Event vehicles, care workers, deliveries, residents, taxis |
| Castle Way | Whole road | Event vehicles, care workers, deliveries, residents, taxis |
| Cedar Court | Whole road | Event vehicles, coaches, courtesy cars, deliveries, cycles, press, taxis, residents, VIPs, car-park permits |
| Church Road | From Bathgate Road south for 168 metres | Access to No. 281, residents, care workers, event vehicles, deliveries, coaches, taxis, car-park permits |
| Church Road | 168m to 317m north of Somerset Road junction | Essential Championships event vehicles only |
| Church Road | From 2m north of Somerset Road north for 317m | Event vehicles, taxis, car-park permits, Wimbledon Club permits |
| Church Road | Somerset Road to the St Mary's Road mini-roundabout | Event vehicles, care workers, deliveries, residents, car-park permits, taxis, Wimbledon Club permits |
| Lincoln Avenue | Whole road | Resident deliveries, residents, taxis |
| Marryat Place | Whole road | Event vehicles, care workers, coaches, courtesy cars, deliveries, cycles, private hire, residents, taxis |
| Marryat Road | Between Burghley Road and Somerset Road | Shuttle buses, event vehicles, care workers, coaches, courtesy cars, deliveries, private hire, car-park permits, residents, taxis |
| Newstead Way | Whole road | Event vehicles, care workers, courtesy cars, deliveries, cycles, taxis, residents |
| Oakfield Road | Whole road | Event vehicles, care workers, courtesy cars, deliveries, press, car-park permits, residents, taxis |
| Rectory Orchard | Whole road | Event vehicles, care workers, deliveries, residents, taxis |
| Seymour Road | Whole road | Event vehicles, care workers, deliveries, residents, taxis |
| Somerset Road | Burghley Road to 26m south of Newstead Way | Event vehicles, care workers, coaches, courtesy cars, deliveries, press, taxis, residents, car-park permits, VIPs |
| Somerset Road | 26m south of Newstead Way to Marryat Road | Event vehicles, coaches, shuttle buses, courtesy cars, car-park permits, press, VIPs, taxis |
| Somerset Road | Marryat Road to its southern end | Shuttle buses, event vehicles, care workers, coaches, courtesy cars, deliveries, car-park permits, residents, taxis |
| Steeple Close | Whole road | Care workers, deliveries, residents |
| Welford Close | Whole road | Care workers, deliveries, residents |
Banned turns and no-entry points
Alongside the full closures, two no-entry rules tighten access to the immediate grounds. There is no entry into Marryat Road from Wimbledon High Street, and no entry into Somerset Road, Calonne Road, Parkside Avenue and Marryat Road from Parkside. Both keep the same exemptions for residents, taxis, deliveries, coaches and event traffic. Separately, the long-standing banned left turns from Wimbledon Parkside into Withycombe Road and into the northern and southern arms of Inner Park Road remain enforced for the duration of the Championships.
- No entry into Marryat Road from High Street, Wimbledon.
- No entry into Somerset Road, Calonne Road, Parkside Avenue and Marryat Road from Parkside.
- Banned left turns from Wimbledon Parkside into Withycombe Road and both arms of Inner Park Road.
Why the streets around SW19 are shut
Merton Council states the measures exist to manage event traffic while keeping access open for residents, emergency services and visitors. In practical terms the closures increase the standoff distance from the main gates at peak arrival and departure times, reduce dangerous crowding on the pavements, divert unnecessary through-traffic away from the area, and create a safer environment in line with National Counter Terrorism Security Office crowded-places guidance. The 8.30am start gives stewards time to seal the perimeter before gates open at 10am, and the 11.30pm finish covers late finishes under the Centre Court and No.1 Court roofs.
Parking suspensions and the Southfields event zone
Parking is the second half of the lockdown. Across the Southfields area in neighbouring Wandsworth, parking rules change from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July, operating from 8.30am to 8.30pm every day. With the single exception of zone S4, all of the area's existing parking zones are merged into one combined tennis Event Zone (EZ), which also absorbs some streets that normally have no controls at all. Drivers holding a valid permit for S1, S2, S3, S5, Q1 or Q2 may park anywhere in the EZ, and every road inside the zone carries signs explaining the temporary rules.
The headline change for 2026 is that there are no on-the-day parking sales at the official Wimbledon car parks, with the sole exception of the Park & Ride at Morden. Every other official space must be pre-booked, so turning up by car and hoping for a space is no longer an option. Residents around the grounds receive AELTC permits; anyone needing a last-minute guest permit can email name and vehicle registration to the club so access through the checkpoints can be arranged.
| Parking detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Southfields EZ dates | 29 June – 12 July 2026 |
| EZ control hours | 8.30am – 8.30pm daily |
| Zones merged | All zones except S4 combined into one Event Zone |
| Valid existing permits | S1, S2, S3, S5, Q1, Q2 may park anywhere in the EZ |
| On-day car park sales | None, except Morden Park & Ride |
| Official car parks | Pre-booking required for all spaces |
Bus diversions: route 493 and beyond
Bus route 493 is diverted throughout the tournament because of the Church Road closure between Bathgate Road and Somerset Road, with TfL publishing the live diversion and any stop changes on its status pages. Other routes serving Wimbledon and Southfields run as normal but with heavier loading and occasional hold-ups around peak arrival and departure windows. If a bus is your main connection, build in extra time on the busiest days — the opening Monday and Tuesday, the middle Saturday and Sunday, and finals weekend.
How to actually get to Wimbledon 2026
Driving to the grounds is strongly discouraged and, for most people, slower than the train once detours and the walk from any legal parking space are factored in. Public transport is the recommended route, and the layout of SW19 funnels almost everyone through a handful of stations.
By Tube and rail
- Southfields (District line) is the closest station and the main spectator route — a clearly stewarded 10–15 minute walk along Wimbledon Park Road to Church Road.
- Wimbledon station (District line, National Rail, tram) is a calmer 10-minute walk via Wimbledon Village and is often the smarter choice for leaving after Centre Court.
- Wimbledon Park (District line) is a useful alternative but closes or restricts entry at peak times when crowds surge.
- South Western Railway from London Waterloo reaches Wimbledon in around 25 minutes and is usually less crowded than the District line.
Walking, cycling and taxis
Stewards mark the walking corridors from both Southfields and Wimbledon stations throughout the day, so there is no need to navigate yourself. Two high-capacity e-bike parking hubs, run by Lime and Forest and endorsed by the All England Club, sit at the northern and southern entrances of Wimbledon Park. Taxis and private hire cannot reach the gates directly; expect drop-offs on Somerset Road or Wimbledon Park Road followed by a short walk, and surge pricing on the busiest sessions.
Arrival timing
Gates open at 10am, with outside courts from 11am, No.1 Court from 1pm and Centre Court from 1.30pm (on finals weekend, No.1 Court starts at 11am and Centre Court at 1pm). For high-demand sessions, arrive 60–90 minutes before gates open, and if you are joining The Queue for same-day Grounds passes or returned show-court tickets, plan to be in Wimbledon Park before dawn on the busiest days.
What makes navigating SW19 different
Wimbledon is unusual among Grand Slams because the tournament sits inside a quiet, hilly residential pocket rather than a purpose-built sports park. That is why the closures bite so hard: the same narrow streets that carry the world's oldest tennis tournament are ordinary lanes the rest of the year. A few quirks are worth knowing. Church Road itself is split into several separately controlled sections rather than one blanket closure, so exemptions differ block by block. The grounds straddle two boroughs — Merton for the closures and Wandsworth for the Southfields parking — meaning two sets of rules apply within a few hundred metres. And because attendance in 2026 is expected to be among the highest of recent years, the District line around Southfields and Wimbledon Park is busiest between 10am and noon and immediately after Centre Court finishes.
Practical tips for residents, drivers and visitors
- Residents: keep your AELTC permit visible and arrange guest permits in advance by emailing the club with name and registration.
- Drivers: do not rely on turning up — pre-book through JustPark or use the Morden Park & Ride, the only on-day option.
- Deliveries and trades: most closed streets exempt delivery and care-worker vehicles, but expect checkpoint delays and carry ID.
- Spectators: take the train, follow the stewarded walking routes, and leave via Wimbledon station after evening matches to dodge the Southfields crush.
- Everyone: closures run 8.30am–11.30pm daily and parking controls from 8.30am, so the area is affected from early morning to late night across all 14 days.
Where to watch Wimbledon 2026 free on a big screen in London
No ticket and no fancy queueing? London turns into one giant outdoor viewing party for the fortnight. Dozens of squares, markets and riverside spaces put up big screens showing every rally — most of them free, with deckchairs, Pimm's and strawberries on hand. Here are the standout free and low-cost screenings running 29 June to 12 July 2026.
Free outdoor big screens
- Battersea Power Station — The Wimbledon Experience: every match on a giant riverside screen with SW19-style floral displays, strawberries and Pimm's, free entry.
- Covent Garden Piazza: a huge screen with striped deckchairs in partnership with Lanson champagne, free and very popular for its central location.
- Granary Square, King's Cross: Everyman's free canal-side screen with lawn-effect steps, oversized cushions and films each evening.
- Canary Wharf, Canada Square Park: free screenings as part of the Summer Screens series — bring a blanket and make an afternoon of it.
- Lyric Square, Hammersmith: free big screen with deckchairs and stewards as part of the long-running Hammersmith Summer Festival.
- Camden Market, Hawley Wharf: free outdoor screen at Market Place with strawberries and cream and a giant Connect 4 between sets.
- One New Change, St Paul's: free screenings with deckchairs angled toward the cathedral (closed 5 July).
- Cardinal Place, Victoria: free daily screenings throughout the fortnight (except 5 July).
- The Piazza, Wimbledon Town Centre: the free Love Wimbledon big screen with deckchairs, plus an indoor screen at Wimbledon Quarter.
Low-cost and ticketed screenings
- St Martin-in-the-Fields (Lost Oasis): live screenings and both finals, £10 entry including a drink voucher.
- Ham Yard Hotel, Soho: the "Centre Court-Yard" on a leafy terrace with cocktails, afternoon tea and reserved finals tables.
- Control Room B, Battersea Power Station: matches on a giant projector amid Art Deco interiors, with headsets for sound.
Wherever you settle in, the atmosphere is the closest thing to being inside the grounds without the closures, the queue or the cost — just sun, strawberries and the unmistakable thwack of grass-court tennis.
Frequently asked questions
What dates are the Wimbledon 2026 road closures?
Closures run every day from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July 2026, daily between 8.30am and 11.30pm, with Southfields parking controls from 8.30am to 8.30pm.
Which roads are completely closed?
Streets including Bathgate Road, Somerset Road, Marryat Road, several sections of Church Road, Cedar Court, Beltane Drive, Castle Way and others are closed to general traffic, with exemptions only for residents, taxis, deliveries and event vehicles.
Can I drive to Wimbledon?
It is strongly discouraged. There are no on-day car park sales except at Morden Park & Ride, all official spaces must be pre-booked, and public transport is almost always faster.
What is the nearest station?
Southfields on the District line is closest, a stewarded 10–15 minute walk. Wimbledon station is a good alternative, especially for leaving after evening matches.
Which bus is diverted?
Route 493 is diverted throughout the tournament because of the Church Road closure; TfL publishes the live diversion online.
Where can I watch for free?
Free big screens run across London including Battersea Power Station, Covent Garden, Granary Square, Canary Wharf, Hammersmith, Camden Market and Wimbledon's own Piazza.
Where to Watch Wimbledon 2026 on the Big Screen in London: The Main Fan Zone and Best Bars
You missed the ballot, you're not camping overnight, and you don't fancy being glued to a telly indoors. The good news: from 29 June to 12 July 2026, London becomes one giant outdoor Centre Court. Here's exactly where to go, what it costs, and when the screens are on — addresses and times included.
The main arena: The Wimbledon Experience at Battersea Power Station
This is the official London viewing zone, run by the All England Lawn Tennis Club with Ocean Outdoor and headline partner American Express. Now in its third year, it has been expanded for 2026 into a full fan village — and it's free.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What | Official Wimbledon fan zone, BBC coverage on a 15 sq m large-format screen |
| Where | Power Station Park, Battersea Power Station, London SW11 8DD (riverside, next to the Grade II* listed building) |
| Dates | Monday 29 June – Sunday 12 July 2026 (all 14 days) |
| Times | Daily 11am – 9pm |
| Price | Free admission |
| Nearest Tube | Battersea Power Station (Zone 1, Northern line) — 15 min from the West End |
| By river | Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier on site (15 min from Embankment, 20 from Blackfriars) |
What you get: floral displays in true SW19 style, live scoreboards, traditional strawberries and cream, a Pimm's vintage bus serving the classic, official Championships merchandise, American Express charm giveaways, and a chance to win tickets to finals weekend. It sits among 170+ shops, bars and restaurants, so you can make a full riverside day of it. Get there early on marquee days (opening Monday, both middle weekends, and the finals) — it fills up fast.
Best bars and screenings to watch Wimbledon in London
A spread across the city, from free deckchairs to bottomless fizz. All run 29 June–12 July 2026 unless noted.
Free, outdoor, central
- Covent Garden Piazza (WC2E 8RF) — A massive screen with striped deckchairs in partnership with Lanson champagne. Grab a glass at The Crêpe Stop. Free, but central and rammed — turn up early for a chair.
- Granary Square, King's Cross (N1C 4AB) — Everyman's free canal-side screen with lawn-effect steps and oversized cushions; films take over each evening. Frozen margaritas, strawberries and an M&S in the station for tinnies. First come, first served.
- Canary Wharf, Canada Square Park (E14 5AB) — Free screenings as part of the Summer Screens series. Bring a blanket, make an afternoon of it.
- Lyric Square, Hammersmith (W6 0QL) — Free big screen with deckchairs and stewards as part of the Hammersmith Summer Festival, now in its 19th year.
- Camden Market, Hawley Wharf (Market Place, NW1 8AH) — Free outdoor screen with strawberries and cream, plenty of drinks nearby and a giant Connect 4 between sets.
- One New Change, St Paul's (EC4M 9AF) — Free, deckchairs angled toward the cathedral, Nespresso pop-up doing white-chocolate-strawberry coffee. Closed 5 July.
- Cardinal Place, Victoria (SW1E 5JE) — Free daily screenings throughout the fortnight, except 5 July.
- The Piazza, Wimbledon Town Centre (SW19) — Love Wimbledon's free big screen with deckchairs, right in the heart of SW19, plus an indoor screen at Wimbledon Quarter for rainy days.
Pubs and bars worth the trip
- The Dog & Fox, Wimbledon Village (24 High Street, SW19 5EA) — Claims the area's biggest outdoor screen, menu specials including a tennis-ball Scotch egg, and live music. Closest pub atmosphere to the grounds.
- The Audley, Mayfair (41–43 Mount Street, W1K 2RX) — Every match across big screens, Pimm's on draught, strawberries and cream made with Farm Shop fruit, Scotch eggs and pints of prawns. Outdoor terrace between sets.
- Bluebird, Chelsea (350 King's Road, SW3 5UU) — A bougie garden party with every match day one to finals, plus "summer of serves" cocktails with Lavazza.
- Bentley's, Piccadilly (11–15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG) — Matches on an elegant terrace with oysters, shellfish platters, fizz and British strawberries.
Low-cost and ticketed
- The Lost Oasis at St Martin-in-the-Fields (Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ) — Live screenings plus both finals (11 & 12 July). £10 entry including a drink voucher; food by Adam Handling, self-pour cider tree.
- Ham Yard Hotel "Centre Court-Yard", Soho (1 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT) — Daily screenings on a leafy terrace with a special-edition Pimm's. Walk-in for drinks; afternoon tea from £53pp; reserved finals viewing table £30pp including a cocktail and homemade strawberries-and-cream ice cream.
- Control Room B, Battersea Power Station (SW11 8BJ) — Matches on a giant projector amid Art Deco control panels. Shown without sound, but headsets provided. Cocktails, wine, beer and bubbles.
Quick tips
- For the full Wimbledon atmosphere free of charge: Battersea Power Station is the one to beat — it's official, it's free, and it has the floral displays and strawberries.
- For central convenience: Covent Garden or One New Change.
- For a proper pub feel near SW19: The Dog & Fox in Wimbledon Village.
- For the finals (11–12 July): book ahead at Ham Yard or The Lost Oasis; the free spots get packed by mid-morning.
Wherever you land, the formula's the same — sun, a deckchair, a jug of Pimm's, a punnet of strawberries and the unmistakable thwack of grass-court tennis. You'll barely miss Murray Mount.
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