IBM renews long-term technology partnership with The All England Lawn Tennis Club

IBM and The All England Lawn Tennis Club announced a multi-year renewal of their 36-year technology partnership to continue AI, cloud and digital work for Wimbledon, and the article reports a 16% year‑on‑year increase in fan engagement across platforms in 2025.

IBM and The All England Lawn Tennis Club announced a multi-year renewal of their long-standing technology partnership. The collaboration dates back to the launch of the Wimbledon website in 1995 and the tournament's mobile app in 2009, with AI features first introduced in 2017. Teams from both organisations work year-round to develop fan-facing digital experiences using IBM's AI and cloud tools. The renewal is presented as a move to expand Wimbledon’s global reach and deepen engagement through 2026 and beyond. Key details: - The parties announced a multi-year extension of their technology partnership, continuing work on AI, cloud and digital transformation for The Championships. - The partnership has lasted 36 years, beginning with the Wimbledon website in 1995 and adding a mobile app in 2009. - The article mentions fan features such as Live Likelihood to Win and Match Chat that use data and IBM watsonx capabilities. - Reported 2025 results include a 16% year-on-year rise in engagement across platforms, a 19% app engagement increase, and an average app rating of 4.9 stars. - A joint IBM and Morning Consult survey is reported to show 86% of tennis fans worldwide see value in AI-powered features. Summary: The renewal extends a long-running collaboration that has combined data, cloud and AI to shape Wimbledon’s digital offerings and fan experiences. The article reports measurable engagement gains and industry recognition. The agreement is described as focused on new initiatives to expand global reach and develop further AI-driven features for The Championships in 2026 and beyond.