This year's Wimbledon and World Cup finals will take place on the same day, creating a potential viewing clash for sports fans. The Wimbledon men's final is scheduled to start at 2pm on 15 July, while the World Cup final in Moscow kicks off at 4pm.
The All England Club has confirmed it will not move the start time of the tennis final, even if England reaches the football final. Chief executive Richard Lewis stated: 'Our final is at two o’clock, let’s just stick with it. That’s our tradition, let’s go with it.'
Wimbledon was pushed back by a week in 2015 to extend the grass-court season, moving its start to early July. This year it begins on 2 July. The scheduling means the men's final could overlap with the World Cup final, depending on match duration. Only two men's finals in the last 20 years have lasted under one hour and 50 minutes.
Last year, Wimbledon's final coincided with the Euro 2016 final, but the football was played in the evening, avoiding a direct clash. This year, both events are in the afternoon. The BBC will broadcast both finals.
