The All England Lawn Tennis Club, a private members club based in London, has announced its first official esports tournament called the Wimbledon eChamps.
The tournament, presented by American Express, will be played on tennis video game TopSpin 2K25 and is set to take place on July 6th, 2024. Esports tournament organiser BLAST, who recently put on three UK events in Rainbow Six Siege, Counter-Strike 2 and Rocket League, will be running and producing the event. BLAST runs tournaments in many different esports ecosystems, including the aforementioned Fortnite as well as Dota 2.
The eChamps will begin with open qualifiers for which the registration is already open. Eligible TopSpin 2K25 players will be able to work their way up the rankings in an attempt to qualify for the live in-person finals. The finals will then be held at the Media Theatre in Wimbledon this September.
The qualifiers will run across four countries in Europe; UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and three countries in North America; Mexico, Canada and the USA.
The winner of the event will be crowned the Wimbledon eChampion and will receive a unique gold-plated PlayStation 5 console, which will have their name and achievement etched into it by Wimbledon’s official engraver. They will also win an all-expenses paid trip to the Gentlemen’s Singles Final in 2025.
Usama Al-Qassab, Marketing and Commercial Director for the All England Club, commented: “Over the years Wimbledon has witnessed many historic firsts. We are excited that this year, alongside our partners American Express, we will be adding to this with the first ever Wimbledon eChamps.
“The arrival of TopSpin 2K25, provided the perfect opportunity for us to create this exciting esports tournament and we cannot wait to welcome the qualifiers to Wimbledon in September.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Wimbledon eChamps?
- The Wimbledon eChamps is the inaugural esports tournament organized by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) in collaboration with BLAST. It features the TopSpin 2K25 video game and aims to bring esports competition to the iconic Wimbledon venue.
2. When and where will the Wimbledon eChamps take place?
- The tournament will begin on July 6th, 2024, with open qualifiers across Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain) and North America (Mexico, Canada, USA). The live finals are scheduled for September at the Media Theatre in Wimbledon, coinciding with the Gentlemen’s Singles Final.
3. Who can participate in the Wimbledon eChamps?
- Eligible players of TopSpin 2K25 from the specified regions can register for the open qualifiers. Participants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined by BLAST and the AELTC.
4. What prizes are available for the winners?
- The Wimbledon eChampion will receive a unique gold-plated PlayStation 5 console engraved with their name and achievement by Wimbledon’s official engraver. Additionally, they will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Gentlemen’s Singles Final at Wimbledon in 2025.
5. How can I register for the Wimbledon eChamps qualifiers?
- Registration for the open qualifiers is currently open. Visit the official tournament website or BLAST’s platform for registration details and eligibility requirements.
6. Why did Wimbledon decide to venture into esports with TopSpin 2K25?
- The introduction of TopSpin 2K25 provided an opportunity for Wimbledon to engage with esports enthusiasts while maintaining ties to its traditional tennis heritage. The AELTC aims to expand its audience base and celebrate gaming skill alongside its renowned tennis events.
7. Will there be future esports events hosted by Wimbledon?
- While specific plans for future esports events have not been disclosed, the success of the Wimbledon eChamps may pave the way for additional esports initiatives aligned with iconic sporting events.
8. How can I follow updates and watch the Wimbledon eChamps?
- Updates on the tournament, including qualifiers and the live finals, will be available on the official Wimbledon website, BLAST’s channels, and Star Sports Network platforms. Stay tuned for more information on streaming and broadcast details closer to the event dates.
