It’s that time of year again when tennis fans come from far and wide to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (where the Wimbledon tournament is held)! What is it that brings them here every year? Could it be the power that the players hit the ball with, the thrill of an impressive set, or is it simply the love of tennis that brings over 500,000 people yearly to the Wimbledon Championships in England? Whatever the reason that you’re drawn to the green turf of Wimbledon, we’re here to help you with everything you need to know about the tournament and about hosting a viewing party for all your loved ones.
History of Wimbledon
The first Men’s championship was in 1877: 22 men competed and about 200 people came to watch this inaugural match. The Men’s Singles matches continued into the 1880s, and in 1884 both the Men’s Doubles and the Ladies’ tournaments began. Now the tournament is hosted in a stadium that seats around 42,000 people and sees over 120 male, female, singles’ and doubles’ players compete. A fun fact for you to tell your friends and family this season is that the longest-ever match lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes. It was played at Wimbledon from the 22nd to the 24th of June 2010 and saw John Isner beat Nicholas Mahut.
What to Expect in Wimbledon 2024
Wimbledon 2024 kicks off on July 1st with thrilling first-round matches. Key dates include the quarterfinals on July 9th and 10th, semifinals on July 11th and 12th, and the grand finales: the women’s singles final on July 13th and the men’s singles final on July 14th. Expect unforgettable moments and intense action as top players compete for the coveted titles.
Players Not Attending
Sadly, this year Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he won’t be playing. He has opted to focus on the Olympics which will be in Paris this July. In addition, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and current Olympic champion Belinda Bencic have officially withdrawn due to both women being on maternity leave.
Players Attending
Of those whom you will be able to see this year, Jannik Sinner is the top seed at the Grand Slam. The tournament will also include Carlos Alcaraz & Novak Djokovic on the Men’s side. For the Women’s tournament, the top seed will be Iga Swiatek, along with Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur. To see the full list of players at this year’s tournament, check out the official Wimbledon website.
How to Plan a Wimbledon Viewing Party
Now that you have all the information you need, it’s time to set up a screen or TV and cheer for your favorite players as they compete over two exciting weeks. Here are some ideas to help you plan the ultimate viewing party!
Prep The Garden
Start by mowing the lawn and cleaning up the patio to prepare for the party. The grass in the Wimbledon stadium is only 8mm high, but you don’t have to cut your grass that short. If you have flowers in the garden, then now’s the time to give them a prune and take out any weeds that might be growing. Don’t forget to sweep up any leaves and pressure wash the patio so that the backyard is the envy of all your guests.
Sport Your Tee
Show your enthusiasm for tennis with a custom t-shirt. Design one featuring a catchy tennis slogan. Wearing a personalized t-shirt not only adds to the fun of watching Wimbledon but also lets everyone know who you’re rooting for!
Arrange the Seating
Your friends and family will need a place to sit during the matches. If you’re planning a large, fancy event, then grab a few garden tables, chairs, and umbrellas while you decorate to your heart’s content. If you’re going for a more casual event, then rattan-style couches are ideal, so you can fit a few more guests as opposed to normal-style seats. Of course, if you don’t have any outdoor furniture, then bring out tables and chairs you might have around your kitchen table.
Decorate the Space
Now that your backyard looks as prim and proper as Wimbledon itself, it’s time to add a little personality and uniqueness to your event. Fully embrace the tennis theme with custom tennis balls, racket towels in the bathrooms, and even custom water bottles for your guests to take home. If you want to embrace a British theme, you can hang Union Jack bunting and offer British flag sunglasses for your guests to wear while sitting outside.
Serve Up Treats
When deciding on what to serve at your party, it’s important to offer a variety of food and drink. We suggest asking guests if they have allergies or dietary requirements and to choose an array of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Regardless of whether you’re going for a fancy affair or a more relaxed event, a classic Wimbledon snack is strawberries and cream, followed by afternoon tea for everyone to sip on during the matches. You can even keep the tennis theme going with paper plates and napkins adorning the table.
Fun Games & Activities
If you don’t have room for a full tennis net in your backyard, then we have other games for your guests to enjoy. These games can be used at any family or garden event where you want your guests to have something fun to do. Normally a cornhole set should be about 24 feet apart for a casual game, but if you don’t have that space then why not choose the smaller options of Topple Tower or Jumbo Fast Four?
Outdoor Screening
Hosting a screening in your backyard is easier than you might think. Start with hanging a large white bed sheet or pop up an outdoor screen, and link up to your projector (or borrow one from a friend if you don’t have one). It’s best to use a flat surface that the sheet can hang on, like a fence or the side of your home. This will stop the sheet from moving and prevent any backlighting from affecting the image. Having your viewing party outside allows more people to see the match at one time. What could be better than for everyone to gasp, cheer, groan, or celebrate together while enjoying the food and drink you’ve prepared?
Though you may not be sitting in the stands next to the rich, famous, and sometimes royal tennis fans, you can still have a lovely time viewing the matches at home and cheering on your favorite players. Embrace your inner Williams sister and celebrate every round of play until the champion is decided. By the time you’re done setting everything up, it will be game, set, and match!
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
