Eastbourne Tennis: Complete Guide to the Rothesay International 2026

Eastbourne tennis is one of the most cherished traditions in the British tennis calendar — a week of world-class grass court tennis at the beautiful Devonshire Park in Eastbourne, East Sussex, that has been a beloved fixture for players and fans alike for over a century. The Rothesay International Eastbourne — formerly known as the Aegon International and the Nature Valley International — is the premier grass court warm-up event before Wimbledon, attracting the world’s top WTA and ATP players every June as they fine-tune their grass court games ahead of The Championships. Whether you’re planning to attend, want to understand the tournament’s history, or are simply a fan of grass court tennis, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about Eastbourne tennis in 2026.

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What Is the Rothesay International Eastbourne?

The Rothesay International Eastbourne is a combined WTA and ATP tennis tournament held annually in June at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England. It is one of the most important grass court warm-up events on the professional tennis calendar — held in the week immediately before Wimbledon — and attracts a field of top-ranked players from both tours who use the tournament to prepare their grass court games for The Championships. The event has a long and distinguished history, with many of the world’s greatest players having competed and won at Devonshire Park over the decades.

History of Eastbourne Tennis

Eastbourne tennis has a history stretching back over 100 years, making it one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world. Key moments in the tournament’s history include:

• 1881 — tennis first played at Devonshire Park, making it one of the earliest established tennis venues in England
• 1974 — the modern professional era of the Eastbourne tournament begins, establishing it as a key pre-Wimbledon warm-up event
• 2009 — the tournament becomes a combined WTA and ATP event, bringing both tours to Devonshire Park for the first time
• 2022 — the tournament is renamed the Rothesay International Eastbourne following a new title sponsorship from Rothesay, the UK’s largest pensions insurance specialist

Devonshire Park: The Venue

Devonshire Park is one of the most charming and atmospheric tennis venues in the world — a Victorian-era park in the heart of Eastbourne that combines historic grandeur with modern facilities. The venue features:

• Centre Court — the main show court at Devonshire Park, with a capacity of approximately 4,000 spectators; one of the most intimate and atmospheric show courts on the professional circuit
• Court 1 — the second show court, hosting high-quality matches throughout the tournament week
• Outer courts — a network of grass courts surrounding the main show courts where early-round matches and practice sessions take place
• The Winter Garden — the iconic Victorian building adjacent to the courts that serves as the tournament’s social hub

Devonshire Park’s intimate scale and beautiful setting make it one of the most enjoyable venues to attend as a spectator — a world away from the vast stadiums of the Grand Slams, with easy access to the courts and a relaxed, festival atmosphere.

Why Eastbourne Matters: The Wimbledon Connection

The Rothesay International Eastbourne holds a unique place in the tennis calendar as the last major grass court tournament before Wimbledon. For players, Eastbourne offers:

• Grass court match practice — the only way to truly prepare for Wimbledon is to play on grass; Eastbourne provides competitive match play on the same surface
• Ranking points — the tournament awards WTA and ATP ranking points, making it valuable for players’ seedings at Wimbledon
• Confidence building — a strong result at Eastbourne can provide crucial momentum heading into The Championships
• Tactical preparation — players use Eastbourne to test serve-and-volley tactics, slice approaches and other grass court-specific strategies

Many Wimbledon champions have used Eastbourne as their final preparation — making it a fascinating preview of what to expect at The Championships. For a complete overview of Wimbledon and Grand Slam history, see our tennis Grand Slam winners guide.

Notable Past Champions at Eastbourne

The Eastbourne tennis roll of honour includes some of the greatest names in the sport:

• Martina Navratilova — multiple-time champion at Eastbourne; used the tournament as a key part of her Wimbledon preparation throughout her dominant grass court career
• Steffi Graf — won at Eastbourne as part of her grass court dominance in the late 1980s and 1990s
• Serena Williams — competed at Eastbourne as part of her Wimbledon preparation
• Andy Murray — the British favourite has competed at Eastbourne to the delight of home crowds
• Petra Kvitova — a two-time Wimbledon champion who has used Eastbourne as a key grass court warm-up

Visiting Eastbourne Tennis: What to Expect

Getting There

Eastbourne is easily accessible from London and across the South East:

• Train — direct trains from London Victoria to Eastbourne take approximately 90 minutes; Devonshire Park is a short walk or taxi ride from Eastbourne station
• Car — Eastbourne is accessible via the A22 and A27; parking is available in the town centre
• From Wimbledon — many tennis fans combine a trip to Eastbourne with their Wimbledon plans, as the two events run in consecutive weeks

Tickets

Tickets for the Rothesay International Eastbourne are available through the official tournament website. Options typically include:

• Grounds passes — access to all outer courts and the tournament atmosphere; excellent value for fans who want to watch multiple matches
• Centre Court tickets — reserved seats for show court sessions featuring top-ranked players
• Day passes and session tickets — day and evening session options for Centre Court

Eastbourne tickets are generally more accessible and affordable than Wimbledon, making it an excellent option for fans who want to experience world-class grass court tennis in an intimate setting.

What to Wear

Eastbourne in June can be warm and sunny or cool and breezy — typical English summer weather. Dress in layers and bring a light jacket. Comfortable tennis shoes or trainers are ideal for walking around the grounds. If you’re inspired to play after watching, see our white tennis shoes guide for the best court footwear.

Playing Grass Court Tennis

Watching Eastbourne tennis often inspires players to try grass court tennis themselves. Grass courts play very differently from hard courts and clay — the ball stays low, skids through quickly and rewards serve-and-volley tactics and flat, aggressive groundstrokes. Key tips for grass court play:

• Use a quality racket — a Babolat racket or Wilson racket with a slightly open string pattern helps generate spin on the low-bouncing grass court ball
• Wear grass court shoes — dedicated grass court shoes with pimple outsoles provide the grip needed on slippery grass; see our tennis shoes guide for top picks
• Come to the net — grass rewards aggressive net play; work on your volleys and approach shots
• Warm up properly — grass courts can be slippery; follow our tennis warm-up guide to prepare your body for the demands of grass court movement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Eastbourne tennis tournament called?

The Eastbourne tennis tournament is officially called the Rothesay International Eastbourne — named after its title sponsor Rothesay, the UK’s largest pensions insurance specialist. It was previously known as the Aegon International and the Nature Valley International.

When is the Eastbourne tennis tournament?

The Rothesay International Eastbourne is held annually in June, in the week immediately before Wimbledon. The exact dates vary each year; check the official tournament website for the 2026 schedule.

Where is the Eastbourne tennis tournament held?

The tournament is held at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England — a beautiful Victorian-era park in the heart of the town, approximately 90 minutes by train from London Victoria.

Is Eastbourne a WTA or ATP tournament?

The Rothesay International Eastbourne is a combined WTA and ATP tournament — featuring both women’s and men’s singles and doubles draws. It is a WTA 500 event and an ATP 250 event.

How do I get tickets for Eastbourne tennis?

Tickets for the Rothesay International Eastbourne are available through the official tournament website. Options include grounds passes and Centre Court session tickets. Eastbourne tickets are generally more accessible and affordable than Wimbledon.

What surface is played at Eastbourne?

Eastbourne tennis is played on grass courts — the same surface as Wimbledon. This makes it the ideal warm-up event for players preparing for The Championships. Always wear proper grass court shoes when playing on grass.

You might also be interested in:

• Tennis Grand Slam Winners: The Complete All-Time Guide 2026
• How Many Sets in Tennis? Complete Guide to Tennis Scoring 2026
• Best White Tennis Shoes: Top Picks for Men & Women 2026
• Tennis Warm-Up Exercises: Prevent Injury and Play Better
• Best Beginner Tennis Rackets: Top Picks for New Players

Official Tennis Associations

• Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) — the national governing body for tennis in Great Britain and organiser of the Rothesay International
• Wimbledon — the official website of The Championships
• WTA Tour — the official women's professional tennis circuit
• ATP Tour — the official men's professional tennis circuit
• International Tennis Federation (ITF) — the world governing body of tennis

Tournament information is accurate as of August 2026 and subject to change. Always check the official Rothesay International website for the latest schedule, tickets and player information. Affiliate links help support Tennis Mindset at no extra cost to you.