You want to watch Wimbledon 2023 but you missed the ballot — and you're not willing to spend the tournament glued to a TV screen indoors, while the sun's a-shinin' (hopefully!) and there's Pimm's ready for a-drinkin'.
Luckily, certain London establishments are on hand with a giant screen — and possibly a deckchair or two — so we can watch all the Wimbledon 2023 matches al fresco.
(FYI, the Wimbledon 2023 dates are 3-16 July. Stick it in your diary now).
Watch Wimbledon 2023 in Canary Wharf
As part of the Summer Screens series of events, Wimbledon matches are broadcast for free on a screen in Canary Wharf's Canada Square Park and Cabot Square. Food and drink is available at bars and restaurants nearby — including the all-important Pimm's from the Grandstand Bar, set up close to the screen.
If things get a little quiet between matches seek out the nearby (and free!) psychedelic mini golf course.
The same screen also hosts free open-air Movie Nights throughout the summer.
Wimbledon screenings in Canary Wharf. Free entry, usually runs 11am-7pm daily throughout the tournament (later if the tennis overruns) but check the schedule closer to the time for 2023 details.
Wimbledon screenings at The Piazza, Wimbledon
Want to soak up the SW19 atmosphere, but don't have tickets for the tennis? Head to The Piazza in Wimbledon town centre, which once again offers a large screen and deckchair seating for anyone wanting to catch up on the latest game, set, or match.
Big Screen Tennis in Wimbledon, free, 3-16 July, 12pm-8pm.
Wimbledon in Covent Garden
The East Piazza in Covent Garden is home to a big screen and deckchairs, showing not only the Wimbledon action, but live broadcasts of The Eastbourne International Tennis Tournament a couple of weeks beforehand. Strawberries and Pimm's are available to buy nearby, and the screenings are free. We expect this one will be very popular due to its busy location.
Wimbledon screenings in Covent Garden, free, 3-16 July.
Wimbledon screenings at St Katharine Docks
Wimbledon screenings take place on the floating pontoon at St Katharine Docks.
Comfy deckchairs are provided for free on a first come, first served basis, as well as picnic benches and tables so you can bring your own food and drink — so up your picnic game accordingly.
St Katharine Docks, free entry, daily throughout the tournament. Check website for exact schedule closer to the time.
Wimbledon 2023 screenings at Summer in the Square, Marylebone
The usually-private Portman Square Garden in Marylebone once again opens to the public for a few days for Summer in the Square, a free outdoor festival which includes screenings of the final few days of Wimbledon. Street food stalls and bars are part of the event, so there are plenty of options for staying fed and watered while you watch the action.
Summer in the Square, Marylebone. Free entry, 11-16 July 2023, 12pm-8pm.
Watch Wimbledon at Screen on the Canal, King's Cross
Take a seat on the steps at Granary Square (King's Cross) during the Championships to watch the Centre Court action on the big screen, set up just across the canal. The steps have been given an apt lawn effect, with oversized pillows for extra comfort.
The screen doubles up as an outdoor cinema, with cult classics and family favourites shown for free throughout the summer.
Wimbledon at Screen on the Canal, King's Cross. Free entry, 3-16 July: schedule available here.
Wimbledon 2023 at Vinegar Yard, London Bridge
The Courtyard Bar is the place to head to watch Wimbledon at Vinegar Yard. Handily, this venue is a food and drink market, so options for refuelling are abundant, including Bad Boy Pizza Society, and a bar serving up all the usuals, including a selection of summer cocktails.
Wimbledon at Vinegar Yard, free entry, 3-16 July.
Wimbledon screenings at Hackney Bridge
New east London venue Hackney Bridge is showing all of the Wimbledon action on a large screen within a landscaped garden overlooking the canal. (Sounds rather spiffy.) As well as liquid refreshment, the outdoor bar has food from a range of local street food traders — and the venue claims to be one of London's biggest beer gardens.
Wimbledon at Hackney Bridge, 3-16 July.
Wimbledon screenings at Eccleston Yards, Belgravia
As part of the Summer of Sport at Belgravia courtyard Eccleston Yards, every day of Wimbledon is being shown on the large open-air screen. 100 seats consisting of beanbags, deckchairs and picnic benches are available free on a first come first served basis, and refreshments are available to buy from local businesses, including an Amie Wine pop-up bar.
Wimbledon at Eccleston Yards, free, 3-16 July, 11am-8pm.
Wimbledon screenings at Lyric Square, Hammersmith
As part of the local Summer Festival, deckchairs will be available in Lyric Square in Hammersmith, offering tennis fans somewhere to sit and watch the action on a large screen, every day of the tournament.
Wimbledon screenings in Hammersmith, free, 3-16 July 2023.
Strawberries & Screen 2023 at Duke of York Square, Chelsea
Once again, the grassy area outside Saatchi Gallery is being opened up for tennis fans, with a large screen installed for anyone who wants to watch the Wimbledon action over the final weekend. The Men's Semi-Finals, and both Men's and Women's Singles Finals are shown here, with pop-up bars serving refreshments. Take your picnic blanket along, or splash out on VIP seating in the form of deckchairs — booking for those opens on 3 July.
Strawberries & Screen at Duke of York Square, Chelsea. Free entry (though there's a charge and booking required for VIP seating). 14-16 July 2023.
Other places to watch Wimbledon 2023
- Stanley's Restaurant in Chelsea has confirmed that it'll screen Wimbledon in its outdoor courtyard and inside the restaurant.
- Open House at BST Hyde Park overlaps with the first three days of Wimbledon, when the tennis action will be shown on a large open-air screen from 12pm daily (3-5 July, free entry).
