Wimbledon 2026: Strawberries, Dress Code & Royal Box

140,000 to 192,000 portions served per edition

The pairing of strawberries and cream goes back further than most people realise. According to Sipsmith, it was popularised as early as the 16th century by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, adviser to Henry VIII, at banquets held at Hampton Court — just 10 kilometres from Wimbledon. The real surge in popularity at the tournament came in the Victorian era: British strawberries reach peak ripeness in early July, they were once ephemeral luxury goods reserved for the well-to-do, and their creamy whiteness matched the tournament’s all-white aesthetic.

Since 2025, the price has risen from £2.50 to £2.70 per portion (10 strawberries + cream) — the first price increase since 2010. According to Grocery Gazette, the AELTC stated that this « modest increase ensures our world-famous strawberries remain available at a very reasonable price ». By comparison, a pint of beer costs upwards of £8.85 and a Pimm’s reaches £12.25 — the strawberries remain the most affordable purchase on site. No further increase has been announced for 2026.

The official supplier is Hugh Lowe Farms, in Mereworth, Kent, a partner for around 30 years. According to Farmers Guardian, the farm grows the Malling Centenary variety, selected for its sweetness and colour. The strawberries are picked each morning of the tournament and delivered daily — at fewer than 65 kilometres from the venue, freshness is unrivalled. Since 2023, their packaging has been made by Notpla, winner of King Charles III’s Earthshot Prize: biodegradable sachets made from seaweed, zero plastic, in line with the AELTC’s net-zero target by 2030.

Key facts

• Available at the « Larders » distributed across the entire site — accessible with a Ground Pass at £33
• Vegan option available at all outlets: soya cream, on request
• Notpla seaweed packaging since 2023 — zero plastic, ideal for summer
• New for 2026: the Centenary Restaurant offers pickled strawberries with ponzu, basil emulsion and grilled lime

For players: white from head to sole (almost)

The white rule dates back to 1877, rooted in two Victorian realities that Britannica and WWD document well: white concealed perspiration, deemed indecent in public, and wearing immaculate white — difficult to maintain, impractical for manual workers — signalled membership of the leisured class. Formally codified in writing in 1963 under the formula « predominantly white », the rule has seen a few relaxations: an exception granted for the London 2012 Olympics, another for Ukraine in 2022.

In 2023, the AELTC took a decisive step. After British player Heather Watson publicly admitted taking the contraceptive pill to avoid her period at Wimbledon — a medical constraint linked to the all-white requirement — and under pressure from Billie Jean King and Judy Murray, the club permitted players to wear dark-coloured undergarments (shorts and knickers), provided they did not show below the skirt or shorts. CEO Sally Bolton stated that the decision was aimed at enabling « players to focus on their performance ». The coloured trim remains limited to 1 centimetre maximum on any garment.

Violations remain rare but memorable: Roger Federer received a warning in 2013 for his Nike trainers with orange soles, Nick Kyrgios wore a red cap as he left the court in 2022, and Venus Williams had to change her bra mid-match in 2017. For spectators, no white requirement applies — smart casual is recommended, ripped jeans and dirty trainers are discouraged. For the Royal Box: lounge suit with tie (men), dress or trouser suit (women), hats not permitted.

Key facts (players’ dress code 2026)

• White mandatory from collar to sole, coloured trim ≤ 1 cm — no exceptions since 2022
• Dark undergarments permitted for women since 2023 (Watson / Billie Jean King lobbying)
• Violations sanctioned by official warning + requirement to change outfit

By exclusive invitation from the AELTC Chairman

The Royal Box was built when the club moved to Church Road in 1922. Its origins trace back to 1907, when the Prince of Wales (the future George V) attended the tournament at the invitation of George Hillyard, the club secretary, with whom he had childhood ties. In 1910, having become King, George V became Patron of the AELTC, inaugurating a tradition continued by every monarch since. According to Time, the Princess of Wales, Catherine, is the current patron — she presents the trophies at the finals and is actively involved with the Wimbledon Foundation. The Duke of York (the future George VI) remains to this day the only Royal to have played at Wimbledon, in the men’s doubles in 1926.

The protocol of the bow (for men) and curtsy (for women) was abolished in 2003 by the Duke of Kent, who was then AELTC Chairman. Since then, a bow or curtsy is only required if the King or the Prince of Wales is personally present. The decision, widely welcomed as a modernisation, put an end to occasionally awkward situations — players had to scan the stands in search of royal faces before deciding whether to bow or not. In 2025, the Princess of Wales and Prince William attended the finals as a family, together with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The Box — 74 green-cushioned Lloyd Loom rattan chairs, accessible via the Clubhouse under military guard — brings together sporting legends, royalty, celebrities and diplomatic figures every year. Invitations cannot be applied for: they are extended by the AELTC Management Committee, the LTA and their partners, on the decision of Chairman Debbie Jevans (the first woman to chair the AELTC). The hospitality includes lunch at 11:30 am, afternoon tea at 3:45 pm and an open bar. Children are not permitted except for the Royal Family.

Key facts

• Only a bow or curtsy before the King or the Prince of Wales remains required since 2003
• Strict dress code: lounge suit with tie (men), dress or trouser suit (women), hats not permitted
• Invitations are not publicly available — there is no way to « apply »

Rufus the hawk, Pimm’s and the longest sports sponsorship in history

Rufus is a Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), operating under the care of Wayne Davis (Avian Environmental UK). His mission: to prevent pigeons from disrupting matches ever since the memorable 1999 incident, when a semi-final between Sampras and Henman was interrupted by a flock of pigeons. According to the official Wimbledon website, Rufus patrols the site from 5am to 9am each morning, starting with the outer courts before finishing at Centre Court. He has his own security badge. In 2026, he begins his approximately 16th season — a tenure that makes him an institution in his own right.

Pimm’s arrived at Wimbledon in 1971, some 94 years after the tournament was founded, yet it has become every bit as iconic as the strawberries. According to britishhamper.com, more than 300,000 glasses are served per edition (20,000 per day at peak), at £12.25 a glass in 2025. Pimm’s No.1 with lemonade, garnished with a slice of cucumber and fresh fruit, has become the very image of the British summer.

The longest sports sponsorship in world history belongs to Slazenger: the British brand has supplied Wimbledon’s yellow balls since 1902, making it 124 years in 2026. According to Slazenger Heritage, this partnership far predates those of Rolex (47 years), Lanson (49 years) and every other sponsor. 55,000 balls are ordered for each edition — changed after the first 7 games, then every 9 games thereafter. Yellow balls were only introduced in 1986; white balls were the tradition before that.

Eton Mess — strawberries, meringue and whipped cream — is the other great Wimbledon dessert, the chaotic cousin of the classic strawberries and cream. Its alleged origin: a cricket match at Eton College at the end of the 19th century. Less iconic than the classic strawberries, it holds a fondly regarded place in the tournament’s culinary canon. Worth noting too: the 3.3 tonnes of bananas consumed by players during the edition — around 30,000 units, a source of potassium and quick energy between changeovers.

Key facts

• Rufus: the only Wimbledon « employee » with his own security pass, active since around 2010
• The « Middle Sunday » rest day — a long-standing tradition — was permanently dropped in 2022 thanks to advances in rye-grass cultivation
• Near-total silence during rallies: Victorian etiquette survives intact; umpires can eject disruptive spectators
• 280 ball boys and girls selected from 1,500 candidates — an acceptance rate comparable to Oxford or Cambridge

A break with continuity: Wimbledon innovates without betraying its soul

The major innovation of 2026 is the Video Review System, announced by the ATP Tour in March 2026. For the first time in 149 years of Wimbledon, players will be able to challenge certain decisions — specifically « not-up » (ball bouncing twice), « foul shots » (ball struck twice) and « hindrance » (involuntary obstruction). The system will be available on 6 courts: Centre Court, Courts 1, 2, 3, 12 and 18. Decisions from the Electronic Line Calling Hawk-Eye (which has replaced the 300 line judges since 2025) cannot be challenged through this system. Wimbledon thus joins the US Open and Australian Open on the path towards video review, with no limit on the number of challenges per player.

Henman Hill — officially Aorangi Terrace, since the land belonged to the New Zealand rugby club in London until 1981 — is entering its final season in its current configuration. According to ESPN, work will begin after the 2026 tournament for a 2027 delivery of a renovated hill (+20% capacity, pergola, improved wheelchair access, retaining walls). A statue of Andy Murray will be unveiled the same year, to mark the tournament’s 150th anniversary. Carlos Alcaraz, two-time defending champion, has withdrawn due to a right wrist injury sustained in Barcelona in April 2026 — Jannik Sinner, the 2025 champion (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Alcaraz), becomes the overwhelming favourite.

The 2026 prize money stands at £55 million, an all-time record (+15% approximately on the £53.55 million of 2025). Each singles champion receives £3.5 million. Attendance in 2025 reached 548,770 spectators, another all-time record, with a BBC iPlayer peak of 69.3 million digital requests. The new CEO after Wimbledon 2026 is yet to be announced: Sally Bolton OBE is stepping down after six years in the role.

Key facts

• Video Review: unlimited challenges, but does not cover Hawk-Eye ELC decisions
• 2026 is the last chance to experience Henman Hill in its historic configuration before renovation
• Iga Swiatek (2025 champion, 6-0 6-0 in 57 minutes) is the one to watch on the women’s side, with Sinner the favourite on the men’s
• AELTC expansion plans: 39 additional courts + 8,000-seat show court with retractable roof (circa 2030)

100% perennial rye-grass, mown every morning of the tournament

Wimbledon’s grass is the only truly « living » surface across the four Grand Slams. According to Grass Tennis Club, each court has been 100% perennial rye-grass since 2001 (previously 70% ryegrass + 30% creeping fescue). This change helped, among other things, to retire the « Middle Sunday » rest day: the rye-grass regenerates quickly enough without needing a day off.

The courts are mown every morning of the tournament to exactly 8 millimetres. Outside the tournament period, a one-tonne roller passes over the courts once a week. In September, each court is completely reseeded and 6 tonnes of soil are added. Preparing a court to Wimbledon standards takes 15 months. Twenty permanent groundskeepers work on site — and during the tournament, maintenance continues at night under floodlights while The Queue sleeps outside.

Key facts

• The surface changes as the tournament progresses: courts are slower at the start, faster towards the final (the grass wears along the lines)
• The retractable roof on Centre Court (since 2009) and Court 1 (since 2019) allows play until 11pm despite rain
• Matches on Court 1 and Centre Court may continue until 11pm — a cut-off imposed by the London Borough of Merton