The UK completely transforms during the grass-court season, bringing vibrant, free outdoor big screens and lively fan hubs to major cities nationwide.
With the 2026 Wimbledon Championships running from June 29 to July 12, 2026, finding the perfect spot to catch the action alfresco is top of mind for tennis fans. While London has its fair share of famous hills and piazzas, spectacular open-air viewing setups are coming to life across all corners of the UK this summer.
Complete with deckchairs, lawns, pop-up bars, and plenty of strawberries and cream, these regional spaces offer a fantastic atmosphere that is the next best thing to being courtside. Most operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so setting up early is highly recommended.
Disclaimer: The below information is accurate for the 2026 summer season but remains subject to change based on local weather and scheduling.
1. Spinningfields (The Lawn Club) – Manchester
Located right in the heart of Manchester’s premier financial and retail district, Hardman Square is a go-to northern destination for open-air sports.
- The Vibe: Chic, urban, and high-energy. The green space is decked out with seasonal seating and giant screens, making it a major hub for both lunch-break viewers and vibrant evening crowds.
- Food & Drink: You are steps away from some of Manchester’s best bars. The Lawn Club Spinningfields serves up excellent street-food-style sharing plates, craft beers, and classic summer cocktail pitches right beside the screen.
2. Chavasse Park (Liverpool ONE) – Liverpool
P
erched right on top of the Liverpool ONE retail destination, this beautifully landscaped five-acre, Green Flag-accredited park is a brilliant spot for outdoor community screenings.
- The Vibe: Relaxed, green, and elevated. It’s a genuine oasis above the busy shopping streets below where fans can lounge directly on the grass or sit back in seasonal deckchairs.
- Food & Drink: The park is bordered by a long leisure terrace of popular restaurants—like The Botanist—offering quick takeaway options, outdoor dining tables, and seasonal pop-up beverage stalls.
3. St James Quarter (The Galleria) – Edinburgh
Edinburgh loves to embrace outdoor summer screenings when the weather permits, utilizing the striking open-air Galleria architecture at the St James Quarter to set up premium digital big screens.
- The Vibe: Vibrant, architectural, and ultra-modern. The unique blend of world-class digital displays within a bustling lifestyle hub gives it a distinct, high-energy festival feel.
- Food & Drink: Perfectly placed to enjoy top-tier Scottish hospitality. You can easily grab artisan coffee, local gin cocktails, or gourmet street food from the nearby vendors and luxury food halls inside the complex.
4. Millennium Point – Birmingham
With civic areas like Victoria Square hosting rolling community events this summer, Birmingham’s primary outdoor sports screening action shifts over to Eastside’s massive digital infrastructure at Millennium Point.
- The Vibe: Spacious, innovative, and highly accessible. The grand plaza area accommodates great community crowds, making for an electric arena feel during high-stakes finals weekends.
- Food & Drink: On-site bars and pop-up refreshment kiosks handle the matchday crowds efficiently, while the short walk to the city centre offers endless post-match dining options.
5. Gunwharf Quays (The Plaza) – Portsmouth
For an unbeatable South Coast sports experience, the stunning waterfront plaza at Gunwharf Quays brings back its premium big screen directly on the marina edge for the summer.
- The Vibe: Scenic, breezy, and upscale. Watching world-class tennis right next to the water and luxury yachts gives the entire fan zone a distinct holiday resort feel.
- Food & Drink: Bordered by an extensive stretch of over 30 bars, water-facing restaurants, and coffee houses, giving you plenty of options to stock up on matchday treats.
6. Dundrum Town Centre (Pembroke Square) – Greater Belfast / Ireland Region
Serving the absolute best cross-border, non-London option for fans in the region, the massive outdoor Pembroke Square plaza drops down giant beanbags, deckchairs, and a massive LED screen every July.
- The Vibe: Highly social, family-friendly, and lively. The sunken plaza design acts as a natural amphitheatre, capturing the crowd’s cheers perfectly.
- Food & Drink: The square is lined with premium casual dining options like Wagamama, Five Guys, and local ice cream parlours, making it incredibly simple to eat while keeping an eye on the score line.
7. BST Hyde Park (Open House) – London
If you want to tie your nationwide guide back to the capital, the legendary British Summer Time festival grounds transform into a massive, free-to-enter community festival during the tournament weeks.
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The Vibe: Electrifying, grand, and celebratory. Between the blockbuster weekend music concerts, the gates swing open for the “Open House” program, welcoming fans to enjoy the tennis on colossal festival-grade screens set against London’s most famous royal park.
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Food & Drink: You will be spoiled for choice with a massive array of artisan street food trucks, pop-up cocktail bars, and craft beer stalls right on the festival site. You can even grab a limited-edition “Strawberries & Green Iced Matcha” from the park’s Courts Café to stay perfectly on-theme.
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Things to Know Before You Go:
- The First-Come, First-Served Rule: Just like the premium squares in London, these regional big screens are almost entirely free and non-ticketed. Seating fills up rapidly for the quarter-finals onwards, so aim to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to lock down a prime spot.
- The Dual-Sport Factor: Keep in mind that 2026 is a massive summer of sport. Many of these locations will be balancing tennis coverage with the football World Cup screenings. Always double-check the venue’s daily schedule via the provided links to ensure the tennis matches are taking live priority on the main screen.
- Pack For the British Weather: While these spaces are brilliant in the blazing sunshine, they are completely uncovered. A pair of sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen, and a light waterproof jacket are absolute essentials for sitting out the full duration of a five-set thriller!
You might also want to check which British traditional pubs show the tennis in case the weather doesn’t play ball.
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