BBC Sport has announced a significant extension of its broadcasting rights with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), ensuring that the prestigious Queen's Club Championships will be available to audiences across TV, radio, and digital platforms until 2027. This agreement marks a pivotal moment in the history of the tournament, as it will include a WTA 500 women's event for the first time in over five decades, alongside the traditional men's competition.

The 2025 edition of the Queen's Club Championships will see top-tier players like British number one Katie Boulter and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu competing in the women's event, while 2024 Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will headline the men's tournament. This dual-gender format underscores the LTA's commitment to promoting equality in tennis and enhancing the grass-court season.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, emphasized the cultural significance of the grass-court season, stating, "The grass-court season is synonymous with British summer. For BBC Sport, it marks the start of a huge summer of women's sporting events, kicking off with the women's tournament at Queen's."

The broadcasting deal also includes rights to cover LTA events at Eastbourne and Nottingham, which take place in the fortnight leading up to Wimbledon. Chris Pollard, the LTA's Managing Director of Commercial and Operations, expressed optimism about the upcoming season, calling it "the LTA's best grass-court season yet, with women and men competing in all our events for the very first time."

The Queen's Club women's main-draw event is scheduled to begin on June 9, followed by the men's tournament on June 16. Wimbledon will commence on June 30, creating a seamless transition between these premier grass-court events.

This extended partnership between BBC Sport and the LTA not only ensures comprehensive coverage of the Queen's Club Championships but also highlights the growing prominence of women's tennis in the UK. Fans can look forward to an exciting and inclusive grass-court season, with top players from around the world competing for glory.