A Wimbledon Watch Party Is the High-Excitement, Low-Effort Event...

Lean into the traditions of this famous tennis tournament for easy and elegant food, drink, and decor ideas, then gather your fellow fans to soak in the action.

Published on July 9, 2025

Credit:

Grant Webster

Wimbledon, the storied tennis tournament that has been held each summer in London since 1877, is in full swing. Whether you're a diehard tennis fan or you're just always on the lookout for a reason to celebrate, especially in summer, consider this your sign to host a Wimbledon watch party. (The finals happen this weekend, July 12 and 13, so chop chop!).

Pulling together a Wimbledon party is especially easy because this occasion already has a traditional food, drink, and color scheme. Of course, we also have ideas for adding even more British flair to your get-together. Here's your Wimbledon watch party plan—game, set, match.

Serve Strawberries and Cream

From the very first tournament almost 150 years ago, fresh strawberries with sweet cream has been the food most associated with Wimbledon. It's a pretty summer dessert that is no trouble at all to pull together. Just whip chilled heavy whipping cream with a bit of sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Spoon it over a dish of strawberries and serve.

To round out your menu, think scones and jam, tea sandwiches, and mini quiches. If you're watching the matches live, chances are you'll be gathering in the morning. (Remember London is five hours ahead of New York, six hours ahead of Chicago, and eight hours ahead of LA.) All these foods work well for the morning gatherings that have become known as "breakfast at Wimbledon."

Credit:

Carson Downing

Pour Pimm's Cups

The official drink of Wimbledon is the Pimm's cup, a traditional British cocktail made with fresh fruit, cucumber, ginger ale, fresh mint, and Pimm's, which is a gin-based liqueur that you can find at most liquor stores. A Pimm's cup can also be made without alcohol or as a big-batch pitcher cocktail, so it's feasible to offer at a large gathering. Champagne is also a traditional Wimbledon drink, and what British-flavored gathering would be complete without tea?

Ask Guests to Wear White

Players at Wimbledon must wear all white, so why not suggest your guests do the same? It's an easy ask and will go a long way toward putting everybody in the sporting spirit. Another option is to ask guests to dress up in their summer garden party best, much like spectators do. Or extend the white theme to the food and drinks table via a white tablecloth, white dishes, and white cloth napkins that you already have or can source inexpensively.

Credit:

Annie Schlechter

Use Your Fancy Dishes

You don't need to set a full sit-down table for this party, but it is a good excuse to use a few pieces of your china. Think English tea party, but simplified and made casual. Salad plates or saucers are the right size for the light foods you'll be serving. If you don't own china, consider checking a thrift store or Facebook Marketplace. You'll probably be able to score some dishes with floral patterns associated with tea parties for cheap. Don't worry if they don't all match—it's even more fun and charming when they don't.

Credit:

Lisa Romerein

Gather Ye Roses

For centerpieces, skip the on-the-nose tennis theme and channel an English-style garden instead. A simple bouquet of blown-open English garden roses tucked into a vase or a pitcher is perfect, but any fluffy, big-headed flower works. Or mix flower types and colors for a lush, romantic, and slightly wild look, just like an English garden. Harvest a few armfuls of blooms and greenery from your yard and have fun arranging.