Has all the Challengers hype and discourse made you a tennis enthusiast? Well, well, there’s good news for you as more exhilarating tennis is coming your way. The Wimbledon Tennis Championships, the most iconic and perhaps best tennis event in the world, is back just in a few weeks time. It’s only right to be sitting outside on a deckchair, Aperol in hand, to experience all the action (if the weather gods allow it). So if you are bummed out to have missed the Wimbledon ballot, we’re here to tell you that London has plenty of stunning sunny spots filled with big screens showing all the Centre Court action. That, and booze!
So if you haven’t got tickets to the matches, here are the best places in London to watch the Wimbledon this July for free.
1. Screen on the Canal, King’s Cross
You might think Screen on the Canal is just for checking out moves from the green canal-side steps, or for belting your heart out at the Encanto sing-along. But they’ll also be showing plenty of Wimbledon action and the Olympics later on. Head down for a day of varied viewing entertainment.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
2. Summer Screens, Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf’s free screenings are in full swing at this point, with movies and sporting action galore. And you bet they’ll be showing Wimbledon too (otherwise they wouldn’t be on this list…). Their hi-res Summer Screens ensure a buzzing atmosphere, and viewers can take advantage of the area’s many food and drink options, as well as the plethora of activities and events.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024. See the full schedule, and find out more, here.
3. Summer By The River, London Bridge
This annual summer festival brings all sorts of events and entertainment to a river-side stretch of London Bridge. One of the biggest draws is the fantastic outdoor viewing experience at The Scoop, which gets taken over every year by Wimbledon fever. Thanks to the bowl-like shape of the viewing area, everyone has a fantastic view of the action – and the seating is perfectly sized to chill out and enjoy some outdoor food and drink in the summer weather.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
4. Eccleston Yards, Belgravia
Fashion company MATCHES has partnered up with Eccleston Yards for a Summer of Sport with complimentary al fresco screenings. And it’s all kicked off, naturally, with a bit (well, a lot, actually) of Wimbledon action. Over 100 seats are available in the central London courtyard for visitors to hang out on picnic benches, relax in beanbags, or lounge on MATCHES marble deck chairs. Screenings run from 11am-8pm every day of the tournament.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
5. Vinegar Yard, London Bridge
Vinegar Yard can always be counted on to keep you entertained with all of the sports coverage. Smack in the middle of their extensive footy coverage, they’ll be screening all the Wimbledon action. Grab some ‘za from the Bad Boy Pizza Society and a drink from the well-stocked bar, and you’ll be sorted!
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
6. Summer in the Square, Marylebone
Marylebone’s popular Summer in the Square will make its BIG return its tenth anniversary, screening all the Wimbledon matches on the big screen from 9 July –14 July in Portman Square Gardens. Considered to be one of London’s best outdoor screening spaces, visitors can grab a seat on a deck chair with a drink in hand. Food will also be available at pop-up, Guest Kitchen.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 9-14 2024.
5. The Refinery Bankside, Waterloo
With one of the largest outdoor screens in the capital, The Refinery Bankside is not a spot to be sniffed at. Grab a deckchair on the alfresco terrace and a drink from the fully stocked bar – there’s not much more you could need! They’ve even got a limited-edition Wimbledon Platter to perfectly complement the tennis. Book your place here.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
6. Big Screen London, Dulwich & Fulham
For a premium Wimbledon viewing experience, look no further than the special finals viewing opportunities afforded by Big Screens London. The ticketed viewings bring more than just the on-court action to their two venues, with “electric atmosphere, gourmet grub, chilled drinks and live music”. It’s the kind of viewing where even the less Wimbledon-obsessed will still have a great time.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
7. Screen on the Water, Tower Bridge
You can watch all the lawn tennis action on a glorious floating pontoon at St Katherine Docks. Free to enter with a bar serving cocktails, beer, prosecco, and strawberries and cream (of course!) to all those who manage to grab a spot.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
8. Strawberries & Screen, Chelsea
Another finals-focused viewing opportunity (albeit, also with semis thrown in for good measure) is on offer over at Duke of York Square. Strawberries & Screen brings a park viewing experience, complimentary tennis lessons for ‘Mini-Murrays’ and plenty of pop-up bars for strawberries & screen cream. There will also be VIP seating for those who need to be AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE to the action, erm, screen.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
9. The Piazza, Wimbledon
Is there a better way to soak up the atmosphere than in Wimbledon itself? You can head to The Piazza in Wimbledon town centre to catch all the action on a large screen with deckchairs.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
10. St James’s Market, St James’s
It’s set to be a Wimbledon season full of massive screens, clearly, and we’re living for it! St James’s Market is also throwing their big ol’ outdoor screen into the mix, with yet another free screening experience. Relax back in a deck chair and grab some takeaway food and drinks from the surrounding restaurants, and you’ll be ready for the next set!
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
11. BST Hyde Park Presents Open House, Hyde Park
BST Hyde Park is more than just a three-weekend-long music festival, as the Open House portion of the festival presents a packed programme of events to entertain you in between star-studded weekends. And while that huge outdoor screen makes for great cinematic viewing experiences, it’s also perfect for Wimbledon viewing. Head to the park and you can enjoy all the tennis-y entertainment. Find out more here.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
12. Big Screen at Merchant Square, Paddington
Another free Wimbledon screening (gosh, they’re being so generous!) can be found over by the canal at Paddington Basin. They’ll be screening Wimbledon from 11am every day, with no booking required. Deckchairs and picnic spots will be available on the lawn, free on a first-come, first-served basis. Just turn up and grab a seat! You can also enjoy al fresco cocktails from a pop-up horse box bar and test your skills with on-site tennis games.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024. 12pm-9pm.
13. One New Change, St Paul’s
Located on New Change Passage, the views of St Paul’s couldn’t be better from the One New Change’s Wimbledon screening. No reservations needed, you can enjoy world-class tennis with the view of St Paul’s and a fully stocked bar!
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
14. Cardinal Place, Victoria
You can enjoy stunning drinks served by Wagamama’s pop up bar in a sunny garden at the Cardinal place roof garden.
🎾 You can watch the Wimbledon tennis screening for free, July 1-14 2024.
15. Or head to the pub!
As with every major sporting event throughout the year, tons of pubs around London will be keeping punters up to date with each volley with pub screenings.
🍻 The Young’s brand of pubs has six venues in Wimbledon, where you can grab a pint and some food, and settle in for a more relaxed viewing experience, but still right in the heart of it all. The Dog & Fox takes pride of place, with “the biggest screen in Wimbledon, five bars showing the matches and a summer Sipsmith sipping terrace”. Other pubs in the area for some tennis-fuelled pints include The Crooked Billet, Fire Stables, The Alexandra, The Hand In Hand, and Rose & Crown.
🍺 For a bit of opulence, head to the restored Victorian splendour of The Audley Public House. Soak up the pub atmosphere (and a pint or two from the independent Smallbrook’s Brewery as you cheer on every game of Wimbledon, courtesy of the pub’s screen.
🍻 Beloved West London pub, The Prince, invites guests to swing by to enjoy the tennis in one of London’s most famous beer gardens. Fret not about the weather, either, as their retractable roof has you covered, rain or shine.
🍺 Lunar Pub Co. is getting into the Wimbledon spirit across their three watering holes, The Hunter’s Moon in South Kensington, The Apollo Arms in Clapham, and Ganymede in Belgravia. They’re showing each match on screens across their bars and dining rooms, and are even serving up a seasonal Wimbledon special dessert and cocktail – an Eton Mess paired with a fresh strawberry English sparkling wine Bellini.
🍻 Sister pubs, The Cadogan Arms (Chelsea) and The George (Fitzrovia) are also getting into the swing of things with a limited-edition Strawberry and Basil Smash cocktail. It’s a perfectly seasonal cocktail for sipping as you cheer on the players from the comfort of the iconic London pubs, where every minute of the competition is being screened.
🍺 Camden favourite, The Farrier, has an ace menu of seasonal summer-y delights for you to enjoy as you watch the Wimbledon across their screenings. Tuck into the likes of Strawberries & Soft Serve Ice Cream, Burrata & Heritage Tomatoes, and Truffle Wild Mushroom Risotto – as well as plenty of Pimms, naturally.