Wimbledon to host first official esports tournament this week
Having spent years perfecting their backhands from the comfort of their sofas, gamers will soon get to compete on the hallowed (virtual) turf of Wimbledon itself.
That’s right, the All England Lawn Tennis Club is hosting its first-ever esports tournament.
Starting this week, players from the UK, Europe and North America will clash controllers to be crowned the champion of the inaugural Wimbledon eChamps.
The tourney will commence with open qualifiers on July 6, allowing players aged 18 and over to participate in ranked regional matches, and conclude with in-person finals at the Wimbledon Media Theatre on September 12.
Prizes
Forget silverware, the champion at Wimbledon's inaugural esports tournament will raise aloft a gleaming gold-plated PS5. It may not have the lustre of the Venus Rosewater Dish, but it will be etched with the winner’s name and their achievement by Wimbledon’s official engraver.
The victor will also nab an all-expenses paid trip to next year’s Gentlemen’s Singles Final, along with £1,000 in gaming gear and a £500 gaming voucher. Meanwhile, second and third place will also separately receive £1,500 and £750 worth of Wimbledon merch and gaming goodies.
Of course, it doesn’t match the eye-opening prize purses in the biggest esports tournaments, where the winnings can exceed $40m (£31.6m), minting teen players overnight. These blockbuster events typically pack out stadiums, with matches broadcast on TV and streamed live online, drawing millions of viewers around the globe.
How to enter
Fancy a go? You can register to take part in the Wimbledon eChamps qualifiers right now by signing up on the dedicated website. Don’t worry about skipping work or uni for games: all matches will be conveniently held on weekends at 2pm.
If you haven’t played Top Spin 2K25, you’ll need to get in some hitting drills before the competition starts. The realistic tennis simulation series returned to solid reviews in April after a 13-year hiatus, with critics praising its excellent core gameplay and depth, but warning of its steep learning curve. Mario Tennis Aces this ain’t.
The virtual version of Wimbledon will also have some quirks versus the real thing. While both require strategic thinking, the esports tourney will feature three-set games instead of five sets, all of which will be played in daytime conditions – no gruelling night matches under a closed Centre Court roof here, folks.
Is eSports a sport?
Wimbledon is the latest sporting event to embrace the world of esports in a bid to capture new fans.
The Olympics, F1, and Fifa World Cup have all held competitions in video games that involve sports like cycling, sailing, motorsport, and football. These events are independent of the main games, with accolades kept distinctly separate from the traditional medal tally.
But, things may be starting to change. Last year, the Asian Games made esports a medal event after introducing it as a demonstration sport in 2018, which to some cemented its growing reputation as a legitimate sport.
Hosts China walked off with gold after a historic win over Malaysia in Arena of Valor, a fantasy game that sees players controlling heroes in fast-paced strategic battles.
