**Wimbledon Finals Rescheduled in Bid to Boost Global TV Viewing Figures**
In a significant alteration to the Wimbledon Championship’s traditional schedule, organisers have announced that both the women’s and men’s singles finals will commence at 4pm this weekend, pushing the usual start by two hours. The change, which comes amid concerns over falling television audiences, also sees the doubles finals moved to a new slot, beginning at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The eagerly anticipated singles finals will witness Amanda Anisimova facing Iga Swiatek, followed by Jannik Sinner taking on Carlos Alcaraz – matches that are sure to attract widespread attention. The adjustment deviates from Wimbledon’s longstanding practice of hosting the grand finals from 2pm, reflecting the All England Club’s strategy to reach broader international audiences in real time.
According to Sally Bolton, Chief Executive Officer of the All England Club, the decision was motivated by the desire to maximise global viewership and enhance the overall experience for both athletes and fans. “We undertook a review of the final weekend’s provisional timetable with the explicit aim of elevating engagement for all stakeholders,” Bolton explained. “Rescheduling the doubles matches to an earlier time provides certainty for those players, while fans on Centre Court will experience the day’s progression culminating in the crowning of our singles champions in front of the largest possible audience worldwide.”
This move comes at a pivotal moment for the tournament. In 2024, Wimbledon’s television ratings faced a noticeable dip, with the Express reporting that the women’s final between Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini attracted 400,000 fewer viewers than the preceding year’s title match. The men’s showpiece also struggled by comparison: 2024’s final, where Carlos Alcaraz clinched a straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic, failed to draw in as many viewers as his sensational win against Djokovic in 2023, which had set records with an extra 3.8 million tuning in.
Insiders at the BBC, who broadcast the tournament, are now hoping the later start will recapture lost audiences, particularly from key territories where time zone differences have previously dampened live numbers. Yet, this timing shift is not without its risks. The men’s final, which may stretch over five gruelling sets, carries the spectre of overrunning – particularly if delays or epic contests, like this year’s French Open marathon between Alcaraz and Sinner that lasted five hours and 29 minutes, are repeated.
Such epic encounters place pressure on Wimbledon’s infrastructure. Matches that run late may require the closing of Centre Court’s roof and the switching on of floodlights, pushing play deep into the evening. Of immediate concern is the local 11pm curfew, a strict regulation that could, in extreme circumstances, halt the finals before a champion is declared – an outcome the organisers are keen to avoid.
Sally Bolton addressed these logistical complexities, stating that the decision followed “extensive analysis of historical data regarding match durations and scheduling.” There remains, she added, a strong awareness of the need to respect both player welfare and local regulatory limits. While some purists worry the tradition may be diluted, others point to the changing landscape of global sports broadcasting and the championship’s need to evolve in response.
For doubles competitors, the changes bring welcome clarity, ending the previous uncertainty of waiting until the singles events and trophy presentations concluded. Fans, too, will benefit from a more streamlined experience, with the day’s matches building in anticipation towards a prime-time singles showdown.
As this storied tournament adapts to a rapidly shifting media environment, the world will be watching to see whether these measures reverse the decline in Wimbledon’s live prime-time audience. The finals this weekend not only promise high-quality tennis but may also mark a pivotal moment in the event’s ongoing quest to balance heritage with the demands of a digital global age.