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Wimbledon 2026 Kicks Off With Record Prize Money, Prime Video Exclusive and Serena Williams Return

Those changes concentrate cash and broadcast reach in ways that will shape which players profit from the fortnight in London

Overview

  • The 139th Wimbledon Championships run from 29 June to 12 July, with qualifying having taken place 22–25 June and the main-draw pairings set in a draw scheduled for 26 June.
  • Organizers raised total prize money to a record £64.2 million, a roughly 20% increase that pays £3.6 million to each singles winner and raises first-round payouts to £80,000.
  • Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive live rights in Germany through at least 2027, meaning matches will not air on free‑to‑air TV in that market and require a streaming subscription to view.
  • Alexander Zverev enters the grass event fresh from his French Open title but several experts caution that his historical struggles on grass make him a less clear favorite than rankings alone suggest.
  • Serena Williams returns to singles with a wildcard at age 44, a high-profile story that highlights wider tensions: Grand Slams pay equal prize money but players’ lifetime earnings still depend heavily on media exposure, sponsorship and public visibility that favor top names while many lower-ranked pros face steep costs to compete.