Cooling items sell out at Wimbledon stands

The All England Club’s on-site shops ran out of Wimbledon-branded fans this week as temperatures in southwest London climbed above 30C during the second week of the Championships. The Express reported that handheld and electric fans sold out across the venue’s four stores as spectators queued for matches in sustained heat. Wimbledon organisers had already expanded shade, water access and sun-protection measures before the hottest days of the tournament, according to tournament guidance and media reports. The sell-outs came as the Met Office said parts of southern England were entering the UK’s third heatwave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to reach 34C to 35C later in the week. ### Which items sold out, and when did they disappear? The Express said £16 handheld fans sold out on Sunday, followed by £20 electric fans on Monday, leaving both listed as out of stock online as well as unavailable in the grounds. The report said the stock had been expected to last through the end of the tournament before demand accelerated during the hottest stretch. (express.co.uk) James Knuckey of the Express reported that spectators were using fans, umbrellas and shaded areas to cope with the heat, while sunscreen sales also rose at the on-site pharmacy. A spokesperson for La Roche-Posay, Wimbledon’s sunscreen partner, told the newspaper that its products had proved “extremely popular” in the high temperatures and that volumes were being increased through the venue pharmacy. (express.co.uk) ### How hot is it expected to get at Wimbledon? The Met Office said on July 6 that southern England would see several days in the low 30s Celsius, with some places potentially reaching 34C to 35C later in the week. Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates said parts of the UK were entering the third heatwave of the year, with high UV levels and warnings for people to take “the usual precautions with the heat and the sun.” (express.co.uk) The Express reported that temperatures at Wimbledon reached 32C on Wednesday and could hit 34C on Thursday. The same report noted that the hottest temperature recorded at Wimbledon during the Championships remains 35.7C, set in July 2015. ### What has Wimbledon put in place for spectators? Wimbledon has more than 100 free drinking fountains on site, and fans are allowed to bring clear bottles to refill, ESPN reported on July 7. (metoffice.gov.uk) The tournament has also made 500,000 sunscreen samples available through its partnership with La Roche-Posay, according to ESPN. (express.co.uk) The Independent reported that organisers added natural shade, encouraged sun protection and made multiple free water points available as the tournament prepared for what it described as its hottest day. The same report said military stewards were available to assist attendees and distribute free sunscreen. (espn.com) ### Does the player heat rule affect what fans are seeing on court? Wimbledon’s official heat rule applies to all singles events in 2026 when the heat stress index reaches 30.1C or higher, the tournament says. Under that rule, players can take a 10-minute break between the second and third sets in best-of-three matches or between the third and fourth sets in best-of-five matches. (independent.co.uk) The All England Club says the heat stress index combines air temperature, humidity and surface temperature, with readings taken 30 minutes before play and again at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The rule does not apply to matches played under a roof. ### Will more stock arrive before the tournament ends? The Express said additional fan stock could be delivered after the earlier-than-expected sell-out, though Wimbledon sources told the newspaper there remained a plentiful supply overall. (wimbledon.com) The Championships are scheduled to run through Sunday at the All England Club, where heat precautions for players, staff and spectators remain in place as forecasts point to the hottest days later in the week. (express.co.uk)