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ESPN delivers its second most-watched Wimbledon coverage
· Ladies' Singles Championship marks ESPN's most-viewed ever
· Sunday's Gentlemen's Championship delivers 2.4M avg. viewers
ESPN's coverage of the 2026 The Championships, Wimbledon culminated last weekend, generating double-digit audience increases and ranking as ESPN's second most-viewed Tournament ever.
The two-week long tournament across ESPN networks (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2) saw an 18% year-over-year increase, averaging 853K viewers.
The Championships
Saturday's Wimbledon Ladies Championship, a three-set victory for No. 9 Linda Noskova over No. 10 Karolina Muchova (6-2, 5-7, 6-3), averaged 1.9M viewers, an increase of 48% compared to last year and ranking as ESPN's most-viewed women's championship ever.
On Sunday, No. 1 Jannik Sinner was crowned 2026 Gentlemen's Wimbledon Champion, earning his second Wimbledon title, and fifth Grand Slam overall. His four-set win over No. 2 Alexander Zverev (6:7; 7:6; 6:3; 6:4) averaged 2.4M viewers, down 16% from 2025, when Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in five sets and up 10% vs. 2024 (Alcaraz/Djokovic).
Through the Championships, coverage on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 averaged 853K viewers and was up 18%, marking ESPN's second most-viewed tournament ever, only behind 2019.
Semifinals
Ladies' Semifinals averaged 1M viewers, up 15% vs. 2025, ranking as the most-viewed in 11 years. The second Ladies' Semifinal match featuring Coco Gauff and KarolĂna Muchová drew 1.3M viewers (peak 1.9M in its last quarter hour).
The Gentlemen's semifinals averaged 1.2M viewers, down 10% vs. 2025 (Sinner/Alcaraz) and up 20% vs. 2024.
Quarterfinals
Tuesday's 5-hour 15 minutes quarterfinal showdown between Novak Djokovic and Feliz Auger Aliassime delivered 1.1M avg. viewers (peak 1.5M).
Quarterfinals coverage averaged 599K viewers to stand as ESPN's most-viewed Quarterfinals since 2009, and up +23% from 2025.
Early Rounds
Serena Williams' Wimbledon return on June 30, delivered 1.8M viewers with a peak of 2.1M between 4-4:15 p.m. ET. For the entire day, ESPN's Wimbledon coverage averaged 937K, up 55% over last year and marking ESPN's most-viewed First Round Wimbledon telecast ever. This year was also ESPN's most-viewed First Round ever (combined Monday-Tuesday), with an average of 734K viewers. ESPN's first and second round coverage were the most-viewed ever averaging 689,000 avg. viewers, up 22% YoY (June 29-July 2).
Thursday's Novak Djokovic and Feliz Auger Aliassime scored 1.1M avg. viewers (peak 1.5M).
Overall Tournament Highlights
For the entire tournament, 2026 Wimbledon coverage across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 averaged 853K viewers, up 18% from 2025. ESPN's coverage of the 2025 was the second most-watched ever.
ESPN began its coverage of Wimbledon in 2003 and has had exclusive rights since 2012.
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