A Guide To The British Tennis Season

Fresh cut grass, Pimm’s and floral gowns: British tennis is synonymous with British summer. And while Wimbledon fever infects Londoners every June/July, the British tennis season as a whole is a much larger affair. This glorious romp traverses courts, cities and social circles, culminating in that iconic, royal-attended fortnight in SW19. Grab your strawberries and cream: it’s time for a smashing good run.

British Tennis Season 2026: A Guide

(Getty Images for LTA)

Birmingham Classic

Running in the second week of Roland-Garros across the Channel, the British grass-court season bursts into life with a flourish at the Birmingham Classic (aka the Lexus Birmingham Open). Indeed, the grass is greener on this side – and faster, too. Here, rising stars and seasoned pros engage in fierce rallies while in-the-know spectators enjoy genteel conversation, afternoon tea and a charming atmosphere (much less chaotic than what’s to come later in the season). Historically a women’s event, the Birmingham Classic is seen as a warm up to Queen’s and Wimbledon, and welcomed men for the very first time in 2025; they now compete annually.

Where? Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham

When? 30 May–7 June 2026

Level: WTA 125 & ATP Challenger 125

Find Out More: lta.org.uk

(Getty Images for LTA)

Ilkley Open

West Yorkshire’s annual festival of tennis – the largest tournament in the north – gives famous and rising British tennis stars another chance to rally on home turf, with international players flocking to the small town of Ilkley for the occasion. In 2026, this includes top seeds Viktorija Golubic (Switzerland), Lilli Tagger (Austria), Lanlana Tararudee (Thailand), Sinja Kraus (Austria) and Ashlyn Krueger (USA) on the women’s side, and Jaime Faria (Portugal), Henrique Rocha (Portugal), Leandro Riedi (Switzerland), Jacob Fearnley (Britain) and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (Norway) on the men’s. This is where up and coming youngsters also find their feet: 19-year-old Kjaer, for instance, is the former junior world No.1 and currently at a career-high ranking of 123 after bagging four Challenger titles last year. Meanwhile former Roland Garros junior champion 18-year-old Lilli Tagger, who reached the quarter-finals of the girls’ singles draw at Wimbledon last year, will also play, while rising 17-year-old Australian star Emerson Jones is set for action after bagging her first win for her country at the Billie Jean King Cup in April. With low prices, street food vendors and a line-up of ‘Beyond the Baseline’ after-play acts, Ilkley is one of the more accessible, playful occasions on the British tennis calendar. In 2026, Lightning Seeds will kick off the action on 5 June followed by Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party on 6 June, with Marvin Humes ‘Noughties Baby’ party on 12 June and an ‘Ibiza in Symphony’ night on 13 June.

Where? 7–14 June 2026

When? Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, Ilkley

Level: WTA 125 & ATP Challenger 125

Find Out More: lta.org.uk

(Getty Images for LTA)

Queen’s Club Championships

Now this is where things get exciting. The HSBC Championships – better known as Queen’s Tennis is less of a tennis tournament and more of a garden party with a rather intense backdrop. (The pop of balls careening off rackets is about as frequent as the pop of champagne corks.) Steeped in history, for male players, it’s the unofficial warm-up for Wimbledon – so the atmosphere is buzzy with anticipation. In 2025, we saw the long-awaited return of women to the court, who return this year from 6 to 14 June, with top players battling it out on these hallowed grass courts. The men then take over from 13 to 21 June, all accompanied by impeccably dressed spectators, including, probably, a celebrity or two (or 20).

Where? The Queen’s Club, London

When? 6–21 June 2026

Level: WTA 500 & ATP 500

Find Out More: lta.org.uk

(Getty Images for LTA)

The Nottingham Open

The Lexus Nottingham Open may be less known, but it’s another crucial stop on the grass court trail, where players really start to find their rhythm. With an accessible location and vibrant atmosphere, the Nottingham Open is also a fantastic opportunity for in-the-know tennis fans to enjoy world-class action without the looming pressure, queues and prices of other tournaments on the calendar. You may well see a future star emerge from the depths of qualifying, or an established pro rediscover their grass-court mojo. It’s a wonderfully relaxed environment where you can enjoy the intricacies of the game, perhaps with an ice cream in hand if fickle British summer permits.

Where? Nottingham Tennis Centre, Nottingham

When? 13–21 June 2026

Level: WTA 250 & ATP Challenger 125

Find Out More: lta.org.uk

(Getty Images for LTA)

The Eastbourne Open

If Wimbledon is a grand and finely-tuned performance, the Lexus Eastbourne Open is the final dress rehearsal. Just a stone’s throw from the glorious British seaside, players use this final major tune-up to iron out any lingering kinks in their game and get one last competitive hit on grass. In 2026, that includes four-time reigning champion Taylor Fritz (USA), plus Valentin Vacherot (Monaco), Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina), Rafael Jodar (Spain) and Joao Fonseca (Brazil). On the women’s side, top seeds include Jasmine Paolini (Italy), two-time champion Madison Keys (USA), Barbora Krejcikova (Czechia) and 2021 champion Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia). Eastbourne is a delightful blend of top talent and coastal charm; elegant tennis with the invigorating scent of salt in the air, and maybe a sneaky stroll along the pier to enhance the mini-break vibe. As far as results go, expect the unexpected as players push for peak performance ahead of Wimbledon.

Where? Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne

When? 22–27 June 2026

Level: WTA 250, ATP 500 & ITF2

Find Out More: lta.org.uk

The Boodles Tennis Challenge

If your tennis preferences are more social than sweat, take a look at the non-competitive exhibitions – the most iconic and elegant being The Boodles Tennis Challenge. An impossibly chic younger sister to the grand dame of Wimbledon, Boodles Tennis is the place to see and be seen. Founded by former tennis player and veteran sports agent Patricio Apeu in 2002, the idea is to give top players a chance to hone their grass court skills ahead of Wimbledon in relaxed surroundings, but there’s much more to it for spectators. Think gourmet dining, free-flowing Pimm’s and champagne galore. With attendees limited to 1,900 per day and a stadium designed so no one is more than 10 metres from the court, expect an intimate garden party vibe punctuated by high-calibre tennis – the perfect place to sip and schmooze.

Where? Stoke Park

When? 23–27 June 2026

Level: Non-competitive

Find Out More: theboodles.com

Jack Draper at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic. (Timothy Edwards)

The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic

Meanwhile in south west London, The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic will take over the impeccably manicured (and notoriously exclusive) Hurlingham Club. Again, this is less about qualifying points and more about sartorial points: the very best dressed in London’s coolest social circles flaunt their summer style here. That said, it’s all super relaxed: top players (including British No. 1 Cameron Norrie and three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud in 2026) and legendary icons trade playful blows on the courts, while off the court your most serious consideration will be which canape to scoff next. And scoffing is certainly tippy top of the agenda: 2026 sees the Tennis Classic’s second partnership with Michelin starred chef Paul Ainsworth after the whopping success of his first residency there last year. Elsewhere Moët & Chandon Champagne and Whispering Angel rosé are frankly ubiquitous.

Where? The Hurlingham Club, London

When? 23–27 June 2026

Level: Non-competitive

Find Out More: giorgioarmanitennisclassic.com

Wimbledon Qualifying Competition

Now back to serious business: the penultimate event on the British tennis calendar, this is where dreams are made – and broken. This is the Wimbledon qualifying rounds, so the atmosphere is undoubtedly tense. But the action is also more raw and unfiltered than Wimbledon proper: here, every last point matters, and players (especially newcomers) fight tooth and nail for a coveted spot in the main draw. If you’re a tennis purist who loves the grit, grind and palpable passion of the sport, this is the tournament for you. Best of all, it’s only £15 for a full day of world-class tennis.

Where? Wimbledon Qualifying and Community Sports Centre, London

When? 22–25 June 2026

Level: Grand Slam

Find Out More: wimbledon.com

British Open Roehampton

While everyone is buzzing about who will make it to Wimbledon proper, just down the road, the British Open Roehampton serves a fantastic tournament showcasing the incredible talent of top wheelchair tennis athletes and rising junior stars. Expect incredible athleticism and fierce determination, and see future stars and current Paralympic heroes up close ahead of Wimbledon, all with a more relaxed vibe.

Where? Wimbledon Qualifying and Community Sports Centre, London

When? 28 June–3 July 2026

Level: ITF1 & J300

Find Out More: lta.org.uk

Wimbledon Tennis Championships

All roads lead to Wimbledon: the career pinnacle, the stuff of dreams, the legendary tournament where tradition reigns supreme. It’s the jewel in the crown of the British tennis season – for good reason. From the perfectly manicured grass to the iconic Centre Court, Wimbledon is an experience like no other. And while Wimbledon’s favour with royals and celebrities has secured its spot on the social calendar, the tennis also remains incredibly high calibre. (This is a Grand Slam, after all.) Expect gladiatorial battles fought with grit and grace, punctuated by gasps of admiration. All this while sipping Pimm’s or fizz (or one of each?) and indulging in that sweet treat of quintessential British summer, strawberries and cream.

Where? All England Lawn Tennis Club, London

When? 29 June–12 July 2026

Level: Grand Slam

Find Out More: wimbledon.com