A Wimbledon day can look perfectly straightforward on paper: a first match, a few more names underneath it, and perhaps a start time beside the headline match you want to see. Then a five-set battle runs long, rain interrupts play, or a match is moved—and the plan changes. Knowing how to read the order of play helps you follow the day without mistaking an estimated schedule for a promise.
What the Wimbledon order of play tells you
The order of play is the official schedule of matches for a particular day. It shows which players are due to meet, the court assigned to each match and, where relevant, the scheduled or estimated start time. Wimbledon publishes a fresh order for each day of the Championships.
It is different from the tournament draw. The draw shows the bracket and the route players could take through the event; the order of play tells you which matches are planned for today. It is also different from live scores, which show what is happening once a match begins.
Depending on the day, the schedule can include singles, doubles, mixed doubles, junior events and wheelchair tennis. The later rounds generally bring more singles matches to the show courts, but Wimbledon’s daily programme changes as the tournament advances.
Where to find the official schedule
For the most reliable listing, use Wimbledon’s official website or app and look for the day’s order of play. These sources are also the best place to check for late changes, court moves and live match progress. Sports news sites and score apps can be useful, but their schedules may not update as quickly as the tournament’s own channels.
The order is usually released the evening before the matches are due to take place. If you are planning a visit, check it again on the morning itself: withdrawals, weather and earlier match delays can all affect the programme.
Wimbledon is played in London, so the schedule uses local UK time. During the Championships, that is normally British Summer Time (BST). If you are following from another time zone, make sure your phone or viewing guide has converted the start time correctly.
How to read a day’s order of play
Each listing typically gives you a court, a match and either a fixed start time or wording such as not before. The order within a court’s list matters: if a match is second on, it normally follows the first match rather than starting at a precise time of its own.
- A scheduled time is the planned start, not a guarantee that play will begin then.
- Not before 4:00pm means the match will not start before 4:00pm, but it may start later if the previous match runs long or conditions cause a delay.
- After the conclusion of the previous match means the next match depends on how long the match ahead takes.
- Court assignment tells you where the match is planned, but a revised schedule may move it.
For example, if your match is listed second on a court, with the first match starting at 11:00am, there is no dependable way to calculate an exact start time. A quick straight-sets match might finish relatively early; a close contest could take several hours. Men’s singles matches are best of five sets, while women’s singles matches are best of three, but either can be short or absorbing. Match length depends on the players, the score and the conditions—not just the format.
Why Wimbledon’s schedule changes
Grass-court tennis can be quick, but that does not make the timetable predictable. A long match can push every later match on the same court back. Rain can halt outdoor play, and the tournament may adjust court assignments to keep matches moving. If a player withdraws or cannot compete, the affected match is removed or altered.
The show courts have retractable roofs, which allow play to continue in wet weather once the roof is closed. That helps, but it does not make every match immune to disruption: closing the roof and adjusting the court environment can take time, and outdoor courts remain exposed to the weather.
Wimbledon also has an 11:00pm local curfew for play. A match approaching that limit may need to resume the following day, depending on the situation and tournament decisions. If a match is suspended, check the updated order rather than assuming it will continue in the same slot or on the same court.
Planning your day around the schedule
If you are attending, choose the match you most want to see and give yourself flexibility around it. A “not before” time is useful as a lower limit, but it is not a reliable arrival time. Arriving early gives you a chance to settle in and see the match before it, which may be excellent tennis in its own right.
Also check what your ticket allows. A reserved ticket for Centre Court or No. 1 Court is for that court; it does not mean you can move into another show court whenever you like. Grounds admission gives access to the grounds and eligible outside courts, subject to capacity, but does not include a reserved seat on Centre Court or No. 1 Court. Check the current ticket terms before you go, especially if you are hoping to move between courts.
If you are watching from home, use the order of play to identify the court and approximate slot, then follow live coverage or scores on the day. A useful routine is to check the schedule the night before, check for changes in the morning, and keep the live schedule open if you are tracking a later match.
Finally, treat the order as a plan, not a countdown. A listed 2:30pm match may begin later; an earlier match may finish quickly and bring the next one on sooner, provided any stated “not before” time has passed. That small distinction makes the schedule much easier to interpret.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Wimbledon order of play published?
It is usually published the evening before each day’s matches. Check Wimbledon’s official website or app, then look again on the day in case the schedule has changed.
What does “not before” mean at Wimbledon?
It is the earliest time the match can start, not a promise that it will begin then. A preceding match, weather delay or other interruption can push the start later.
Can I watch a match on a different court from the one on my ticket?
It depends on your ticket. Reserved show-court tickets apply to the named court, while grounds admission provides access to eligible areas and outside courts, subject to capacity. Check the specific ticket conditions before making plans.
Does Wimbledon play on the middle Sunday?
Yes. The middle Sunday has been a regular day of play since 2022, rather than the traditional rest day it once was. The matches scheduled still depend on that year’s tournament programme.
Final Thoughts
The Wimbledon order of play is the simplest way to see who is scheduled, where they will play and how the day is expected to unfold. Read “not before” as a boundary rather than an exact start, allow for long matches and weather, and verify changes through official channels. With those habits, you can plan around the tennis without expecting the timetable to run like clockwork.
