Wimbledon 2026 Ads: Linear TV Up 30%, CTV Expands Reach
By Business Desk
Wimbledon 2026 saw a 30% surge in linear TV ad volume. Connected TV (CTV) expanded reach with more advertisers and categories, led by mutual funds.
Linear television advertising volumes for Wimbledon 2026 experienced a significant 30% increase compared to the previous year, Wimbledon 2025. This surge pushed indexed ad volumes from 100 in 2025 to 130 in 2026, according to a report by TAM Sports.
The analysis, which spanned the tournament periods from June 29 to July 12 and June 30 to July 13, focused strictly on commercial advertising. Connected TV (CTV) concurrently showed a considerably broader landscape for advertisers and distinct categories.
Key Ad Metrics
- Linear TV ad volume growth for Wimbledon 2026 vs. 2025: 30%
- CTV ad categories featured: 21
- CTV advertisers present: 25
- Linear TV ad categories featured: 9
- Linear TV advertisers present: 10
- Mutual Funds ad share on CTV: 14%
- Mutual Funds ad share on linear TV: 9%
Mutual funds emerged as the leading advertising category across both platforms, securing the largest share of ad volumes. On CTV, mutual funds captured 14%, while on linear TV, they held a 9% share, underscoring their consistent presence.
Top Advertisers and Platform Dynamics
Beyond mutual funds, other categories like liquor (11%), cars (10%), tyres (7%), and watches (7%) contributed significantly to CTV ad volumes. For linear TV, tiles and floorings (7%), watches (6%), lubricants (4%), and cellular phones-smart phones (2%) followed mutual funds.
- Top CTV advertisers:
- William Grant & Sons India: 10%
- UTI Asset Mgmt Co: 9%
- Renault India: 8%
- Ceat India: 7%
- Rolex Watch Co: 7%
- Top Linear TV advertisers:
- ICICI Prudential Asset Mgmt Co: 9%
- Kajaria Ceramics: 7%
- Rolex Watch Co: 6%
- Bharat Petroleum Corp: 4%
- Apple Computer India: 2%
The broadcasting landscape also saw a notable shift, with eight channels covering Wimbledon 2026. This marked a decrease from the 12 channels that broadcasted Wimbledon 2025 on linear TV and the English-language feed on CTV.
This data indicates a dual trend where traditional linear TV still commands increased ad spend for major events, yet CTV platforms are increasingly attracting a more diverse array of advertisers and categories. The decline in linear TV channels for the tournament suggests an ongoing evolution in media consumption and advertising strategies.