| The Championships, Wimbledon – Quick Guide | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | The Championships, Wimbledon (Grand Slam Tennis) |
| Venue | All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, London |
| First Held | 1877 |
| Capacity | Grounds: ~42,000 · Centre Court: ~14,979 · No. 1 Court: ~12,345 |
| Best Value Viewing | Grounds Pass (access to outside courts + The Hill); Queue resale tickets |
| Premium Seating | Debenture tickets, Centre Court hospitality suites |
| Food & Drink | Strawberries & cream, Pimm’s, champagne, traditional British fare |
| Nearby Hotels | Hotel du Vin Wimbledon, Antoinette Hotel Wimbledon, Wimbledon Hotel, hotels in Putney & Richmond |
| Transit Access | Wimbledon Station (District Line, National Rail); shuttle buses to grounds |
| Tips for Attending | Arrive early for The Queue; bring sunscreen and rain gear; follow the all-white dress code for players; no large bags |
| Things to Do Nearby | Wimbledon Village shops & pubs; Wimbledon Common walks; Richmond Park; Thames riverside pubs |
| Unique Highlights | Oldest tennis tournament in the world; grass courts; The Hill (Henman Hill/Murray Mound); strict traditions and royal patronage |
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Best Seats at Wimbledon
The All England Club sits tucked away in southwest London, and honestly, it’s nothing like attending any other sporting event on earth. This is lawn tennis at its most prestigious—pristine grass courts, strict traditions (no corporate sponsor names plastered everywhere), and a bizarre queueing system that somehow works despite sounding absolutely mad on paper. The Championships run for a fortnight each summer, and getting in requires either deep pockets, serious planning, or the willingness to camp overnight in a public park.
Seating Guide
Wimbledon operates differently than American sports venues—there are show courts with reserved seats and outer courts that run on a first-come basis with your grounds pass.
Centre Court
This is where finals happen and where 15,000 people crane their necks to watch history. The court now has a retractable roof, so rain delays won’t completely ruin your day. Seating splits into three pricing tiers: rows A-T (closest), U-Z (middle), and ZA-ZF (upper deck, basically). Even from row ZF—literally the back row—sightlines are surprisingly decent because the stadium bowl keeps everything angled toward the action.
Debenture seats (rows A-N in the 200s and front rows of 300s) are the premium middle tier wrapping around the court at Royal Box level. They’re perfectly positioned, and you’re close enough to see spin on the ball without needing binoculars. Non-debenture tickets higher up still work fine—I’ve sat in the upper sections for a quarterfinal, and whilst you’re obviously far from the baseline, the overall court view beats watching on telly.
Best value? If you can snag regular tickets in rows A-T through the public ballot or resale queue, do it. You’re low enough to feel the atmosphere and hear players argue with themselves. The tradeoff with upper rows (U-Z and beyond) is distance, but you see the entire court layout at once—great for appreciating shot placement and tactics.
No. 1 Court
Newly refurbished with a roof added in 2019, No. 1 Court holds 12,345 and often hosts must-watch matches. Seating tiers mirror Centre Court: rows A-Q (close), R-W (mid), and X-ZC (upper). I’ve sat back row (ZC) here and genuinely didn’t mind—closer feel than Centre Court’s back rows because the stadium is slightly more intimate.
Row B tickets during one memorable visit were legitimately brilliant—you’re right there, hearing racquet strings pop and players grunt. Debenture seats (rows A-Q in the purple gangway sections) give you the same lounge access as Centre Court debentures, and they’re easier to find on resale because fewer people chase them.
If you’re choosing between upper-level Centre Court and mid-level No. 1 Court at similar prices, I’d lean No. 1 Court for the closer perspective.
No. 2 Court and No. 3 Court
No. 2 Court (4,000 capacity) and No. 3 Court (2,000 capacity) are outdoor show courts without roofs. They host early-round matches featuring seeded players before they move to Centre or No. 1. Tickets are significantly cheaper and easier to get through the queue.
No. 2 Court went through major redevelopment recently and offers solid sightlines across most rows. No. 3 Court feels more compact and old-school—benches instead of individual seats in some sections, very “garden party tennis” vibe.
Grounds Pass Strategy
A grounds pass gets you access to all outer courts (4-18) on a first-come, first-served basis. Courts 12 and 18 have permanent seating (1,736 and 782 seats respectively), whilst other courts have standing room and temporary seating. Court 12 is where you’ll often catch rising stars or doubles legends—it’s a proper hidden gem.
The key is identifying which matches you want beforehand using the Order of Play (released around 6pm the day before), then positioning yourself near that court before the preceding match ends. I’ve watched brilliant five-setters on Court 4 by timing my arrival as the previous match wrapped—got front-row standing spots behind the baseline.
Courts 2, 3, 12, and 18 also accept show court tickets if you’d rather wander after your reserved match finishes.
Weather Considerations
Only Centre Court and No. 1 Court have roofs. Everything else is exposed to the elements. British summer weather is famously unreliable—I’ve experienced blazing sun one day and sideways rain the next during the same Championships.
For outer courts, bring layers and waterproofs in your bag. The grounds have covered walkways and indoor pavilions where you can shelter, but standing courtside in a downpour whilst waiting for play to resume is miserable. Queuing overnight? You’ll definitely want proper rain gear because the Queue doesn’t stop for weather.
Premium Seating Options
Wimbledon’s premium access revolves almost entirely around debenture tickets—a uniquely British system that’s been running for over a century.
Debenture Tickets
Debentures are five-year bonds sold by the All England Club to fund improvements. Holders receive tickets for every day of the Championships during those five years, and crucially, debenture tickets are the only ones legally allowed to be resold. This creates a secondary market where you can actually buy premium seats if you’ve got the budget.
Centre Court debentures sit in the 200s and front of 300s (rows A-N), wrapping around the stadium at Royal Box level. There are 2,500 debenture seats total out of 15,000. Pricing through resellers starts around £2,238 including VAT for early rounds, climbing to £3,995+ for quarter-finals and beyond. Ladies’ semi-finals can actually be cheaper (around £1,995) because demand is lower than men’s semis.
No. 1 Court debentures occupy similar positioning (rows A-Q in the middle tier) with 1,200 debenture seats out of 12,345 total. Pricing runs slightly below Centre Court equivalents—early rounds from £2,238, big matches £3,000-£3,500.
If you want guaranteed seats between rows A-J (absolute best positioning), expect a £100-£500 per person surcharge depending on the day.
Debenture Lounges & Restaurants
This is where debentures actually shine beyond just seat location. Your debenture badge grants access to exclusive lounges, bars, and restaurants that regular ticket holders can’t reach.
Centre Court lounges open at 10:30am and stay open until 10pm or 30 minutes after play ends. There are multiple bars, restaurants, and private cloakrooms overlooking the grounds. You can pre-book table service at certain restaurants or grab lighter fare at self-service areas.
The Lounge on Level 3 of No. 1 Court’s debenture complex offers views of Courts 15-17 and serves bloomer sandwiches, cakes, Devon scones with jam and clotted cream, plus hot and cold beverages from 10:30am. It’s self-service with a cash bar for alcohol.
Food and drink in these lounges isn’t included in your ticket price—you pay as you go—but the quality is leagues above general concessions, and you’re in climate-controlled comfort instead of queuing outside. I’ve used debenture access twice (once through a corporate package), and honestly, the ability to escape crowds and sit down properly between matches is worth the premium alone.
Debenture holders also get a separate entrance to the grounds, avoiding the main queues entirely.
Hospitality Packages
If debenture resale feels too expensive or complicated, hospitality packages bundle everything together. Providers like Sportsworld and AR Events offer Centre Court or No. 1 Court debenture seats plus additional perks—sometimes food, drinks, transport, or pre-match receptions.
Packages vary wildly in price (£3,000-£10,000+ per person depending on the day and inclusions), but they guarantee access without navigating the resale market. These are corporate hospitality territory, really—useful if your company is footing the bill.
Members’ Enclosure
The All England Club’s actual members get their own seating areas and lounges, but unless you’re a member (waitlist is reportedly decades long) or invited by one, this isn’t accessible. Members’ tickets occasionally appear through ultra-premium hospitality packages that include Members’ Lounge access and seating near the Royal Box.
This is genuinely rarefied air—high-end dining, unobstructed Centre Court views, and the kind of exclusivity that makes debentures look accessible by comparison.
Ticket Options
Getting into the Championships is notoriously difficult, and honestly, the ticketing system is a strange mix of very British traditions (camping overnight in a public park) and modern lottery systems that favor planning a year ahead. Your options essentially break down to: winning the public ballot months in advance, buying expensive debenture resale tickets, purchasing hospitality packages, queueing on the day (potentially overnight), or trying for last-minute resale tickets inside the grounds. There’s no “just buy tickets online a week before like a normal sporting event” option—Wimbledon doesn’t work that way.
The Public Ballot (Your Best Chance at Face Value Tickets)
The Wimbledon Public Ballot is a lottery system that opens roughly 10-11 months before the Championships. For the 2026 tournament, applications opened October 2nd, 2025 and closed October 20th, 2025. Registration is completely free with no obligation to buy if you’re selected.
You apply through the MyWimbledon website during the registration window. A few months later (typically February-March), they notify winners and give you two weeks to accept and purchase your tickets before they auto-decline and move to the next person. You have zero control over which day, court, or number of tickets you’re offered—the system assigns everything randomly. You might get two Centre Court tickets for the first Monday, or Court 3 tickets for the second Thursday—it’s genuinely a lottery.
Winning the ballot gets you tickets at face value, which is dramatically cheaper than any resale option. Even if you’re not 100% committed to going, applying costs nothing and you can always decline if the dates don’t work. Applying for the ballot should be automatic if you have any interest in attending—it’s the easiest path by miles.
Important: Simply signing up for MyWimbledon doesn’t enter you into the ballot—you must specifically apply when the application window opens. Set a reminder for late September/early October each year if you’re planning ahead for future Championships.
The Queue (The Classic Wimbledon Experience)
The Queue is Wimbledon’s first-come, first-served ticketing system where you physically show up to Wimbledon Park, camp overnight if necessary, and wait for tickets on the day of play. It sounds mental, but it’s incredibly well-organized with stewards managing everything.
How it works: You arrive at Wimbledon Park (the golf course), find the end of the Queue marked by a big flag, and a steward hands you a numbered Queue Card that locks in your position. That card is sacred—lose it and you’re starting over. The Queue is arranged in strict order of arrival, and stewards are hardcore about enforcing it.
For show court tickets (Centre Court, No. 1 Court, No. 2 Court): You need to camp overnight starting the evening before. People typically arrive between 5pm-10pm the night before to secure queue numbers in the first 1,500, which virtually guarantees Centre Court or No. 1 Court tickets. The earlier you arrive, the better your queue number and seat location.
Stewards start waking everyone up at 5:30am, you pack your tent by 7:30am when they distribute wristbands for specific courts, then you queue for the turnstiles which open at 9:30am. You’ll enter the grounds around 10am after camping overnight.
For grounds passes only: Arrive early morning (before 10am) and you’ll get in, though you’ll miss the morning matches whilst waiting. The later you arrive, the longer you wait and the more tennis you miss. Grounds passes grant access to all outer courts (4-18) but not the show courts unless you upgrade via the resale queue inside.
What to bring: A tent that’s easy to pitch, sleeping bag, layers and waterproofs (British weather is unpredictable), food and drinks (there are some food stands but they’re expensive and mediocre), portable charger for your phone, and friends to pass the time. The Queue Village has big screens showing live tennis, sponsor giveaways, toilets, and seating areas. It’s surprisingly social—people make friends, share snacks, and the atmosphere becomes part of the experience.
Pro tips for queueing:
- Arrive on your queue card’s day before 5pm to avoid same-day queueing stress
- Bring a proper camping pillow and warm clothes—nights get cold even in summer
- Pack food for dinner, breakfast, and the following day at the Championships (you can bring food into the grounds in clear bags)
- Charge all devices fully before arriving
- The stewards are your friends—listen to their instructions and they’ll help you navigate the system
- Guard your Queue Card like it’s your passport
Debenture Tickets (Premium Resale Option)
Debentures are five-year bonds sold by the All England Club that include tickets for every day of the Championships during those five years. There are 2,520 debenture seats on Centre Court and 1,250 on No. 1 Court, and they’re the only Wimbledon tickets legally allowed to be resold.
You buy debenture tickets through authorized resellers like Wimbledon Debenture Holders, Sportsworld, or Seat Unique. Pricing starts around £1,900-£2,200 for early-round matches and climbs to £4,000+ for semi-finals and finals. You’re paying a massive premium, but you get guaranteed excellent seats, access to exclusive debenture lounges and bars, and the ability to purchase tickets in advance without gambling on the ballot or camping overnight.
This is the option if you’ve got the budget and want certainty—you pick your day and court, buy tickets months ahead, and show up knowing exactly where you’re sitting.
Hospitality Packages
Various companies offer all-inclusive hospitality packages bundling debenture tickets with food, drinks, transport, and sometimes hotel accommodations. Prices run £3,000-£10,000+ per person depending on the day and what’s included. These are corporate expense account territory, but they handle everything for you—tickets, meals, premium lounge access, the works.
Resale Queue Inside the Grounds
If you’ve got a grounds pass or show court ticket and want to upgrade or add another match, the resale kiosk near Gate 3 sells returned tickets at face value starting around 10am. This includes Centre Court and No. 1 Court seats from corporate allotments that go unused or from people who leave early.
Join the virtual resale queue via the MyWimbledon app between 10am-2:30pm, and you’ll get a notification when it’s your turn (you have 20 minutes to reach the ticket office). Prices are dramatically lower than buying tickets ahead—often £25-40 instead of hundreds.
The hack: sprint to the resale area immediately upon entering the grounds with your grounds pass. Being in the first 100 people in the resale queue means getting tickets hours earlier, often for the afternoon sessions on show courts.
American Express Last-Minute Tickets
American Express cardholders sometimes have access to last-minute ticket releases through Amex’s ticketing platform, though availability varies and it’s not guaranteed. Worth checking if you’re an Amex holder and haven’t secured tickets through other methods.
Official ticket info: wimbledon.com/tickets
Wimbledon Bag Policy
The bag policy at Wimbledon incorporates specific restrictions aimed at ensuring the safety and security of all visitors. Here is a concise overview of the bag policy:
- Bag Size Limit: Bags or other containers that exceed 40cm x 30cm x 30cm (16” x 12” x 12”) are not permitted.
- Hard-sided Bags: The use of hard-sided bags or containers, regardless of size, is prohibited.
- Prohibited Items: Any bag exceeding the specified size limit and all hard-sided containers are categorized as prohibited items.
- Unattended Bags: Visitors are strongly advised against leaving any bags or personal items unattended. Additionally, any suspicion regarding items should be promptly reported to the security team.
By strictly adhering to these guidelines, you contribute to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees at the Wimbledon Championships.
Additional Policies and Tips
Here’s an overview of additional policies to be aware of when attending the Wimbledon Championships:
- Dress Code: While there isn’t a strict dress code for visitors, it’s recommended to dress appropriately for the occasion with comfortable clothing and footwear, considering the extended periods of walking and standing.
- Photography: Photography is permitted on the grounds and outside courts, but it is not allowed on Centre Court or No.1 Court.
- Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are allowed, but they must be switched off or in silent mode during play on the courts.
- Smoking: Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited anywhere on the grounds.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is available for purchase at various locations throughout the grounds, but it’s crucial to consume responsibly.
- Disability Access: Wimbledon is dedicated to ensuring an accessible experience for all visitors, offering wheelchair spaces and easy access seating on Centre Court, No.1 Court, and No.2 Court.
- Lost and Found: If you misplace an item during your visit, you can check the lost and found at the Information Booth near Gate 4.
- First Aid: First aid facilities are available on the grounds, with trained personnel ready to assist in case of an emergency.
- Curfew: Matches are not permitted to go beyond 11pm local time.
- Rain and curtailment of play: If there is more than one hour’s play, but less than two hours’ play, refunds will be limited to half of the Purchase Price
Check the Wimbledon website for a full updated list of all policies at the Club.
Getting To Wimbledon
Public transport is genuinely the only sensible option here, and I’m not just saying that as someone generally avoids driving—parking near the All England Club during the Championships is both expensive and chaotic. The Tube drops you within a 15-20 minute walk depending on which station you use, there’s a free shuttle bus from Wimbledon station, and you completely sidestep the nightmare of sitting in southwest London traffic whilst precious match time ticks away.
Public Transit (Underground & Rail)
Southfields Station on the District Line is your best bet—it’s the closest to the grounds and only a 15-minute walk. Exit the station, cross Wimbledon Park Road, and walk straight down toward the All England Club. The route is mostly downhill on the way there (which means uphill on the way back after you’ve had a few Pimm’s, fair warning).
Southfields sits in Zone 3, so a single journey from central London costs around £2-3 with an Oyster Card or contactless payment. The District Line runs frequently, and the station handles tournament crowds reasonably well—I’ve never had issues getting on a train post-match, though it does get packed. Here is a link to the schedules.
Wimbledon Station works if you’re coming from London Waterloo on South Western Railway or if you’re already on the District Line from the opposite direction. It’s a 20-minute walk to the grounds or you can catch the free Championships Shuttle Bus that runs during the tournament. The shuttle operates from just outside the station and drops you near the gates—convenient if you’d rather not walk, though it can get busy during peak times.
Wimbledon station also connects to London Trams if you’re coming from Croydon or points south. The station itself is larger than Southfields with more amenities (shops, cafes), so it’s a decent option if you want to grab something before heading to the grounds.
Both stations are in Zone 3, so travel costs are identical. I’ve used Southfields exclusively because the shorter walk makes a difference when you’re trying to get there early for the Queue or racing back for an afternoon session.
Pro tip: The first Tube to Southfields arrives around 5:47am, which matters if you’re queueing overnight and need to leave Wimbledon Park early in the morning. Plan accordingly.
Parking
If you absolutely must drive—maybe you’re coming from outside London with a group and splitting costs makes sense—there are official and unofficial options, all of them expensive.
Car Park 10 (Revelstoke Road opposite Woodspring Road) is the main temporary facility run by Merton Council and the AA, located about 5 minutes from the gates. It’s £30 per car or £40 for minibuses, but you can save £5 by booking online in advance (up to 4pm the day before, or by 4pm Friday for weekend parking). After 4pm, parking drops to £10. Open 6am-10pm during the Championships.
The tradeoff? You’re stuck in the same traffic chaos as everyone else trying to leave, and honestly, sitting in your car inching along Somerset Road whilst you could’ve been on a Tube home is miserable.
Car Park 6 at Wimbledon Park Golf Club (Home Park Road, SW19 7HT) is another AA-run temporary lot in the golf club grounds, about 5-10 minutes walk from Gate 5. Pre-booking typically closes around midday on the Friday before the Championships start, so you need to plan ahead. Pricing is similar to Car Park 10.
Blue Badge parking is available at Car Park 6 with designated accessible spaces. Drop-off points for disabled guests sit on Somerset Road outside Gate 13 and Wimbledon Park Road outside Gate 1.
St Mary’s Church (St Mary’s Road, Wimbledon Village) offers all-day parking from 9am-10pm in a field next to the church, about 10 minutes walk from the grounds. Costs £25, and proceeds go to charity. Some spaces can be booked in advance, but most are first-come, first-served. This is slightly more convenient than the official lots if you’re approaching from Wimbledon Village direction.
Park and Ride
Morden Park Park and Ride (London Road, Morden SM4 5QU) is the smart compromise if you’re driving from outside London. It’s located just off the A24 behind Morden Register Office with a free shuttle bus running every 15 minutes to the Championships. The shuttle takes 25-30 minutes depending on traffic and drops you at the corner of Somerset Road and Marryat Road.
Parking costs £15 whether you pre-book or pay cash on the day (minibuses £20), and the lot operates from 6:30am until one hour after play ends. Public toilets are in the sports centre about 200 metres away.
This genuinely makes sense if you’re driving from outside the M25 and want to avoid navigating southwest London streets. You park once, hop on the bus, and let someone else deal with traffic. Just allow extra time for the shuttle journey—leaving immediately after the men’s final means sitting on that bus in gridlock.
Rideshare & Taxis
There’s a taxi drop-off and pick-up point on Marryat Road near the grounds. Using Uber or a black cab works fine for drop-off before matches, but picking up afterward means dealing with surge pricing and availability issues as thousands of people request rides simultaneously.
The smarter move if you’re set on rideshare: walk 10-15 minutes toward Southfields or Wimbledon Village away from the immediate scrum, then request your pickup from a quieter street. You’ll avoid the worst of the surge and your driver can actually reach you without sitting in traffic.
Wimbledon Tournament Top Tips
Here’s where you separate tourists from people who’ve actually navigated this crazy, great tournament.
Food & Drink
Strawberries and cream are the iconic Wimbledon snack, now £2.70 per portion (up 20p for the first time in 15 years). You get about nine strawberries in a little box, which works out to 30p per berry. Pricey? Yes. Required? Also yes. It’s part of the ritual.
Pimm’s costs £12.25 per glass in a reusable cup, or £60 for a jug if you’re drinking with mates. A pint of Stella Artois runs £8.85, up from previous years. Soft drinks are £5 for a 750ml reusable water bottle.
Barclays sponsors the Championships and sometimes offers free strawberries if you scan a QR code with a Barclays account—keep an eye out.
Honestly, bring your own snacks if you’re on a budget. Security allows reasonable amounts of food, and you’ll save a fortune versus buying everything inside. I’ve smuggled in sandwiches and fruit without issue.
For something more substantial, chicken or celeriac shawarma with fries costs £13, fish finger sandwiches £13.85, sushi selection £15.10. It’s expensive but the quality is decent for stadium food.
Tours
Wimbledon offers behind-the-scenes tours during the off-season (roughly August-March). You get access to Centre Court, the museum, and areas normally restricted during the Championships. It’s worth doing if you’re a tennis fan visiting London outside tournament time, but it doesn’t compare to actually attending during the fortnight.
The Traditions
No corporate sponsor names on courts. Players wear predominantly white (strict dress code enforced). The Royal Box on Centre Court hosts royalty, former champions, and VIPs. New balls after the first seven games, then every nine games thereafter. It’s tennis steeped in ritual, and honestly, that’s part of why people camp overnight in a park just to get in.
Wimbledon Etiquette (This Matters More Than You Think): Tennis crowds operate differently than other sports, and Wimbledon takes it seriously enough that you can genuinely get ejected for breaking the rules.
Silence during points is non-negotiable. You cannot make noise whilst a point is being played—no cheering, no shouting, no commentary to your mate. Applause happens after the point ends, not during. Even well-meaning encouragement as a player prepares to serve can ruin their concentration and will earn you dirty looks from everyone around you. I’ve seen umpires stop play to ask specific spectators to settle down, and it’s properly embarrassing.
Once the point finishes, clap and cheer all you want—but no singing, chanting, or football-style support. This isn’t the Emirates Stadium. Applaud good play from both players, not just your favourite. The crowd generally follows this rule religiously, and you’ll feel the social pressure if you don’t.
Stay in your seat during play. You can only enter or leave courts during changeovers (every two games after the first three games of a set) or between matches. If you need the loo or want another Pimm’s, you’re waiting until the next changeover. Stewards enforce this strictly, and you’ll be stuck standing in the concourse watching on a screen if you time it wrong.
Mobile phones on silent, always. Photography is restricted—you can take pics of the grounds and courts before/after play, but no flash photography during matches. Violate this enough and you’re out.
The entire vibe is “respectful appreciation of sport” rather than partisan fandom. Once you adjust to it, it’s actually quite nice—you watch tennis properly instead of missing half the points because someone’s screaming.
Dress Code for Spectators: There’s no official dress code for regular ticket holders, but “smart casual” is strongly encouraged, especially on Centre Court and No. 1 Court. Think summer dresses, chinos, polo shirts, nice trainers or loafers. Hats are common (and practical for sun protection on outer courts) but avoid anything blocking views behind you.
What’s explicitly discouraged or banned: ripped jeans, running vests, dirty trainers, sports shorts, flip-flops. You’ll see people wearing these on outer courts occasionally, but they look out of place and won’t get past Centre Court ushers if it’s egregiously casual.
Debenture holders and Members’ Enclosure guests dress noticeably smarter—think blazers, ties, summer suits, formal dresses. It’s very “garden party at a posh house” rather than “day at the football”.
The MyWimbledon App
Download the official Wimbledon app before you arrive—it’s genuinely useful, not just corporate bloatware. The app provides live scores from every court with real-time updates, shot-by-shot visualizations as points happen, and AI-powered match chat where you can ask questions.
The Order of Play gets published around 6pm the evening before each day’s matches. Use the app to plan which courts you’re targeting and when matches are likely to start. There’s also a “Live Likelihood to Win” feature showing dynamic win probabilities throughout matches, which is brilliant if you’re trying to decide whether to stay for a third set or move to another court.
If you’ve got debenture or hospitality tickets, they’re accessed through the app—download your ticket before arriving and bring a fully charged phone plus photo ID.
Timing Your Arrival
Gates open at 10am daily. Play begins on outer courts at 11am, No. 1 Court at 1pm (except finals weekend when it’s 11am), and Centre Court at 1:30pm (1pm on finals weekend).
If you’re holding show court tickets, arriving around 10:30-11am gives you time to explore the grounds, grab food, and settle into your seat before play starts. For grounds passes, arriving right at 10am maximizes your time and lets you stake out spots on popular outer courts before they fill.
The grounds close 45 minutes after the final match ends each day. If you’re watching Centre Court under the roof during a rain delay that pushes play late, you could be there until 10pm or later.
Hotels Near Wimbledon
Location matters massively during the Championships because you’ll be making this journey daily, often twice if you’re staying for evening sessions. Staying within walking distance of Southfields or Wimbledon stations puts you 15-20 minutes from the grounds via Tube, whilst anything requiring connections adds time and hassle after you’ve spent eight hours watching tennis in the sun. I’d prioritize proximity to the District Line or direct access to Wimbledon station over saving £30 per night in some random part of London—the convenience compounds over multiple days.
Hotel du Vin Cannizaro House: Set in an 18th-century mansion on Wimbledon Common with six acres of landscaped gardens, this is the luxury option for Championships visitors. It’s a 20-minute walk to the All England Club or a quick cab ride, and the property itself feels like a country estate despite being in zone 3 London. Forty-six rooms with period features, an award-winning bistro restaurant serving breakfast daily, and proper old-world charm. Rates start around £160-190 per night during off-peak, climbing to £240+ during the Championships. Genuinely lovely if you’ve got the budget and want to feel like you’re staying somewhere special rather than just a functional hotel.
Warren House Hotel: Another upscale choice set on the secluded Coombe Estate with beautifully landscaped gardens and picturesque views. It’s about 10 minutes from Wimbledon by car or a short bus ride, making it convenient without being right in the thick of things. The grounds provide a peaceful retreat after long days at the tennis, and the hotel’s traditional elegance suits the Championships vibe perfectly. Popular with visitors looking for something beyond standard chain hotels.
Premier Inn London Wimbledon Broadway: The smart budget-to-mid-range option literally steps from Wimbledon station and the Centre Court Shopping Centre. You’re a straight shot to the grounds via shuttle bus or a 20-minute walk, and the District/Northern Line connections at Wimbledon station get you anywhere in London within 30-40 minutes. Rooms run around £46-80 per night depending on dates, consistently clean with comfortable beds (guests rave about the bedding), and the on-site Bar + Block restaurant handles dinner without needing to venture out. Five minutes from Colliers Wood tube station as an alternative transport option. This is where I’d stay if I were doing the Championships on a reasonable budget—location beats fancy amenities when you’re exhausted from queueing and watching tennis all day.
Brewers Inn Hotel: A boutique hotel combining modern brewing facilities with upscale accommodations, located close to Wimbledon with good transport links. It offers something different from standard chains—the on-site brewery gives it character, and rooms provide comfort without being cookie-cutter. Solid mid-range choice for visitors wanting a bit of personality in their accommodation.
The Lodge Hotel, Putney: About 2 miles from Wimbledon with on-site parking (rare in London), helpful staff, and great location in a nice residential part of southwest London. Close enough to reach Wimbledon easily via bus or short Tube ride, but far enough removed to avoid Championships crowds. Good value for the quality, and Putney itself has excellent pubs and restaurants for evenings when you want proper food and drink outside the tennis bubble.
Holiday Inn Express Wimbledon South: The budget-friendly option that gets the job done without frills. Free breakfast included (continental spread in the Great Room restaurant), free WiFi, 156 practical rooms with air conditioning, and a 24-hour front desk. It’s a short drive or bus ride to Wimbledon—not walkable but perfectly accessible—and rates stay reasonable even during the Championships compared to hotels closer to the grounds. Parking available for a surcharge, which matters if you’re driving. This is where you stay when you’re spending all day at tennis anyway and just need somewhere clean to sleep.
Travelodge London Raynes Park: Another budget contender about 2 miles from Wimbledon, one stop on the train plus a short walk to the grounds. Clean rooms, helpful staff, and genuinely good value—breakfast gets positive mentions despite being Travelodge standard. Twenty minutes by train to central London if you’re combining Wimbledon with broader sightseeing. The “excellent for Wimbledon” reviews speak for themselves
Pubs & Things to Do Near Wimbledon
The Championships run for a fortnight, and unless you’re spending literally every waking hour inside the grounds, you’ll want somewhere decent to decompress before or after matches. Wimbledon Village sits 10 minutes uphill from the station en route to the All England Club, and it’s packed with proper pubs that lean hard into the tennis atmosphere during the tournament—outdoor screens, extended beer gardens, live music, the works. It’s worth building in time for a pint and some food rather than rushing straight from your hotel to the gates.
Pubs
Rose & Crown (55 High Street) – Traditional 17th-century coaching inn that transforms during the Championships with tennis-themed decor, a marquee-extended courtyard garden, and Young’s plus Wimbledon Brewery beers. Serves breakfast through dinner, has rooms if you’re staying over, and it’s 12 minutes uphill from Wimbledon station, 10 minutes downhill to the grounds via Church Road. Dog-friendly with a proper village pub atmosphere.
Dog & Fox (High Street, Wimbledon Village) – Gets absolutely mobbed during the Championships with outdoor screens, live music, extra bars serving through open windows, and a buzzing terrace. It’s on the direct route from the station to the tournament, making it perfect for pre- or post-match pints. Young’s pub with a proper party vibe during the fortnight.
The Rushmere (The Ridgway) – Stylishly refurbished gastropub with seasonal menu, Wimbledon Brewery ales, and a pop-up outdoor bar during the Championships. Surprisingly affordable for the quality, serves brunches and Sunday roasts, and the barman apparently mixes a lovely Pimm’s. Less chaotic than Dog & Fox if you want actual food and conversation.
Fox and Grapes (Camp Road, edge of Wimbledon Common) – The only independent pub in Wimbledon, proper gastropub with modern British food overseen by Chef Director Paul Merrett. Shows matches in one of the dining areas during the tournament, has rooms (book a year ahead for Championships fortnight), and it’s quieter than the Village pubs whilst still participating in the tennis atmosphere.
Hand in Hand (Crooked Billet, Wimbledon Village) – Tiny cottage-style pub from the 1800s with excellent real ales and CAMRA recognition. Former bakery where you can still see the old oven area, and the landlord runs beer masterclasses about finishing processes in the cellar. This is where you go for proper beer appreciation rather than Pimm’s-fueled tennis parties.
Things to Do
Wimbledon Common – 460 hectares of green space perfect for walks, picnics, or just decompressing after hours in the tennis crowds. The Common is photogenic year-round with lakes, birdlife including swans, and it’s popular with runners and cyclists. A proper bit of nature minutes from the tournament grounds.
Wimbledon Windmill Museum – Historic windmill on the Common now operating as a museum (open weekends March-October, £3 admission). You can climb up into the windmill’s guts via a steep ladder and see where repairmen carved their names into wood over the years. It’s a quirky stop if you’re exploring the Common and makes a brilliant start to the Capital Ring walk section.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum – Located minutes from Centre Court, this traces tennis history from the 16th century with trophies, rackets, shoes from famous players, and admission includes a 10-minute Centre Court tour. Worth visiting if you’re in town for multiple days and want the tennis nerd deep-dive
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Written by Brad Richards, Founder of Gameday Guides. This guide includes insights from personal visits as well as updated info from team sources, fan forums, and stadium policies. We aim to help you plan with confidence — enjoy your gameday.