You’re staring at the TV remote, scrolling through the sports guide, and wondering where on earth the grass courts went. You’re asking: what channel is wimbledon on today? Well, honestly, there's a big reason why you can't find it.
Wimbledon isn't happening right now.
It’s January 18, 2026. While the world of tennis is absolutely on fire at this very moment, the action isn't coming from the All England Club in London. It’s coming from Melbourne Park. If you’re looking for a Grand Slam today, you’re looking for the Australian Open, which officially kicked off its main draw today.
Why the confusion happens
Look, it happens to the best of us. You see a headline about "Grand Slam tennis starting today" and your brain immediately goes to the white outfits and strawberries of SW19. But Wimbledon is a summer staple. For 2026, the tournament is scheduled to run from Monday, June 29 to Sunday, July 12.
So, if you’re looking for live tennis right now, you want the Australian Open channels. If you’re planning ahead for the summer because you're a "prepare six months in advance" kinda person, here is exactly how the broadcasting landscape looks for Wimbledon 2026.
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What Channel Is Wimbledon On Today (and this summer)
When June finally rolls around, the "where to watch" map has stayed remarkably consistent, even with all the streaming wars going on. Basically, it depends on where you’re sitting.
United Kingdom: The BBC Stronghold
In the UK, the BBC is still the king of the grass. Despite a lot of noise about pay-TV giants like Sky Sports or TNT Sports trying to snatch the rights, the All England Club has a very "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude.
The current deal with the BBC runs through 2027. That means for 2026, you'll find matches on:
- BBC One and BBC Two: This is where the big-court matches live.
- BBC iPlayer: This is the real MVP. They usually stream every single televised court. If you want to watch a random doubles match on Court 14, iPlayer is your best bet.
- BBC Red Button: For the traditionalists who don't want to use an app.
Interestingly, there's been some chatter lately from the All England Club demanding the BBC "freshen up" its coverage. They want more "innovative" presentation, kinda like what TNT Sports did with the French Open or Sky with the US Open. So expect some new faces on the commentary team this summer.
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United States: ESPN and the Streaming Shift
If you're in the US, it’s an ESPN world. They’ve got the rights locked down tight.
- ESPN and ESPN2: Primary television coverage.
- ESPN+: This is almost mandatory now. Most of the outer-court matches and early-round marathons are exclusive to the app.
- ABC: Usually picks up the big weekend matches, specifically the finals.
Australia and Beyond
Down under, Channel 9 and 9Now remain the home of the Slams. They’ll carry the Wimbledon torch once the local sun sets and the London action begins in June. In Canada, TSN handles the heavy lifting across their five feeds.
What should you watch instead right now?
Since you're clearly in the mood for high-stakes tennis, you shouldn't miss the Australian Open Day 1 action happening today, January 18. This is the first day of the main draw, and the schedule is stacked.
Current TV Channels for today's Tennis:
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- USA: ESPN2 and ESPN+. Coverage started late last night and runs through the morning.
- UK: Eurosport and Discovery+. Since it's a graveyard shift for the UK, Discovery+ is the only way to see every court live.
- Australia: Channel 9, 9Gem, and 9Now. It's their home turf, so coverage is everywhere.
Today’s lineup in Melbourne features some massive names. You’ve got Aryna Sabalenka starting her title defense on Rod Laver Arena. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed and is expected to play his first-round match in the night session. Even Venus Williams is back in the mix today at age 45—which is honestly legendary.
Common misconceptions about Wimbledon's schedule
People often think Wimbledon moves around like the Super Bowl. It doesn't. It is almost always the first two weeks of July (starting the last Monday of June).
Another thing: the "Middle Sunday" tradition is dead. For decades, they took the middle Sunday off to let the grass rest. Starting in 2022, they moved to a permanent 14-day schedule. So, when the tournament starts on June 29, 2026, there will be play every single day until the Men's Final on July 12.
How to stay ready for June
If you really wanted the grass-court vibes today, the best you can do is bookmark the official Wimbledon app. They usually start releasing "classic match" replays around March to build the hype.
For now, flip over to ESPN or Channel 9. The blue hard courts of Melbourne aren't the same as the hallowed grass of London, but with Alcaraz and Sinner playing the way they are, the quality is just as high.
Your next steps for today's tennis action:
- Check your local ESPN2 or Channel 9 listing for the Australian Open First Round.
- If you're a die-hard fan, ensure your ESPN+ or Discovery+ subscription is active, as most of today's matches won't make the main TV broadcast.
- Set a calendar alert for June 29, 2026, so you don't have to search for the channel next time.