From Monday, June 30 through Sunday, July 13, 2025, spectators around the world will tune in to watch the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and the Lawn Tennis Association host what is widely considered the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world: the Wimbledon Championships. Commonly referred to simply as Wimbledon, the annual event first took place in 1877, when Spencer Gore defeated 21 other competitors while roughly 200 spectators paid one shilling to watch over the course of five days. Seven years after its inauguration, women were invited to compete in the championship. Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is steeped in tradition.

Some of the traditions upheld since 1877 include matches played on grass courts, a strict all-white dress code for players, a close connection with the Royal Family, and a ban on advertising on the courts to keep full attention on the purity of the sport. However, as times have changed, Wimbledon has had to make certain adjustments. One major challenge for tennis, as well as nearly all sporting events, is how to keep spectators continuously engaged. For many sports broadcasters, this has meant carefully balancing how to incorporate drone technology into their coverage while still adhering to safety guidelines.

Drones have become pivotal tools in many filming markets. They add richness to storytelling, whether in news, television, movies, documentaries, or sports. Drones have revolutionized the way extreme and outdoor sports are filmed, offering breathtaking real-time footage that was once impossible to capture. In events like snowboarding competitions, mountain biking races, and surfing tournaments, drones follow athletes through rugged terrain, tight turns, and crashing waves, providing dynamic perspectives that bring viewers closer to the action. Motorsports, particularly rally racing and off-road events, have also embraced drones to track vehicles through winding courses, giving fans dramatic overhead shots that highlight speed and skill.

Recently, golf has emerged as a surprising yet ideal candidate for drone coverage. Broadcasters now use drones during live play to glide alongside players walking the fairway, capture sweeping aerials of entire holes, and offer cinematic views of the course, all without interrupting gameplay. This integration has not only enhanced the viewer experience but also signaled a broader shift toward drones as essential tools in sports broadcasting. However, the top five most-watched sports, soccer, cricket, American football, basketball, and tennis, cannot use drones during gameplay due to safety concerns.

Even in sports where drones cannot be used during live play, broadcasters have found creative ways to integrate drone footage to elevate the viewing experience. In the lead-up to Super Bowl LIX, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, drones played a key role in capturing stunning aerial footage that enriched television programming and built excitement around the event.

Networks used drones to film sweeping views of the stadium, team arrivals, fan festivities, and the host city’s landmarks, creating dramatic transitions and scene-setting visuals for pregame segments. Taking note of the success of this type of programming, the BBC, which retains all broadcasting rights for Wimbledon, also plans to utilize drones to enhance non-play segments of the championship.

Before matches begin, BBC crews collaborate with Wimbledon Broadcast Services to capture sweeping drone footage of the All England Club, including iconic views of Centre Court, the new player facilities, and the surrounding grounds. These high-quality aerial shots, filmed in ideal lighting conditions before the tournament starts, are used throughout the broadcast to open segments, transition between matches, and build atmosphere. Integrated with other camera angles and video features, the drone footage helps establish a strong sense of place and brings viewers closer to the scale and beauty of the event.

By weaving these visuals into both televised and digital content, the BBC adds cinematic depth and storytelling flair to its Wimbledon programming. This thoughtful integration reflects Wimbledon’s unique ability to honor its rich history and longstanding traditions, like pristine grass courts and the iconic all-white dress code, while embracing modern technologies that enhance the viewer experience. As the tournament continues to evolve, it remains a shining example of how timeless heritage and innovation can come together to captivate audiences around the world, preserving the spirit of the sport while looking confidently toward the future.

Previous Drone News: