he stories of ramped up security and extra long waits haven’t deterred tennis fans from joining the Wimbledon queue this year.
After criticism on day one that the queue was taking even longer than usual to grind through, fans have reported better experiences on other days at the All England Club.
At the beginning of the tournament, some 12,000 people waited in queues, but many turned around in frustration after being unable to get beyond the hallowed gates — with some unlucky fans missing a whole day’s play. It was partly down to security being tightened and also what the All England Club told fans were “unexpected numbers”.
Last Wednesday, more than 10,000 joined the queue, as the line reached capacity and fans were warned they would be waiting a long time if they tried to gain entry for day three.
But since then there have been no reports of the earlier queuing chaos, so things are looking up for those turning up to Wimbledon to see the action.
Wimbledon 2023 | The Queue
Wimbledon 2023 | The Queue
What is the Wimbledon queue?
As organisers say, “For many, the queue is as much a part of the Wimbledon experience as the tennis itself”.
Having been scrapped for two years due to Covid-19, the queue was back last year and it is business as usual in 2023.
Each day, the lengthy line forms to buy either one of the limited show court tickets available, or a grounds ticket.
Operations director Michelle Dite said: “We’re expecting a really big buzz and people turning up wanting to be part of it.
“People really want to go and have a queue experience. They spend hours meeting different people from all over the world. It’s a great vibe and I think for many it’s one of the things they really enjoy doing.”
The queue is the only opportunity many tennis fans get to buy a ticket.
Wimbledon 2023 | Just Stop Oil Protest
Wimbledon 2023 | Just Stop Oil Protest
Where is the Wimbledon queue?
The queue starts at Wimbledon Park, and early or late evening entries need to use the Wimbledon Park Road gates, which are a five-minute walk from Southfields station.
What time does the Wimbledon queue start?
Many people will camp overnight ahead of the queue opening in order to secure a spot at the Championships.
People camping overnight will be woken at 6am and asked to pack their tents to form a queue.
Stewards will issue wristbands at 7.30am, with the number of wristbands given out reflecting the number of tickets available to buy that day.
Ticket sales start at 9.45am and the grounds open at 10am.
This year, Wimbledon will not have a break on the middle Sunday, as organisers hope to make the tournament more accessible.
According to the Guardian, AELTC chairman, Ian Hewitt, said: “It’s important at this stage of the development of the sport that Wimbledon should be even more accessible to the people who want to access it and at the times at which they are best able to.
“We consider that it’s in the best interests of the tennis fans that Wimbledon should be available to be watched and attended throughout that middle weekend.”
Which tickets can you buy in the queue and how much do they cost?
Five hundred tickets for Centre Court (excluding last four days), No1 Court, and No2 Court will be sold for each day the courts are in play.
There will be a limited number of Centre Court, No.1 Court, and No.2 Court tickets available.
The Grounds tickets allow access to unreserved seats on Courts 3, 12, and 18, as well as outside courts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
Wimbledon ticket prices vary based on the date and court:
- Centre Court (Price band A): £75–£240
- Centre Court (Price band B): £70–£230
- No1 Court (Price band A): £68–£160
- No1 Court (Price band B): £65–£155
- No2 Court: £43–£90
- Grounds Passes are priced at £27 and are reduced from day nine onwards as the Championships progress
After 3pm, if there are returned tickets available, guests can buy Centre Court tickets for £15 and Court 1 and 2 tickets for £10, from the Ticket Resale Kiosk north of Court 18 near the top of St Mary’s Walk or the Ticket Office next to Gate 3.
What happens in the Wimbledon queue?
When people arrive in the queue, they will be given a queue card that states the date and their position in line.
They must keep this card until they arrive at the ticket kiosk and buy a ticket. Tickets are sold on a best-available, one-per-person queuing basis.
“If you arrive in the queue by 9am, you should have a good chance of getting in, although we can’t guarantee availability, of course,” Wimbledon’s website states.
“We recommend that you arrive very early on the day that you would like to enter the grounds.”
Queuing famously takes many hours so luckily there are toilet facilities in Wimbledon Park along with a number of food outlets, refill water stations, and first aid provision.
Once you exit the park and enter AELTC Wimbledon Park, there is free wi-fi and more taps to refill your water bottle.
For more information about queuing conduct, click here.
What are you allowed to bring?
If you decide to queue overnight, there are restrictions on what you can bring with you:
• Only two-person tents are permitted.
• Only bring essential items, storage is very limited.
• Bags that need to be stored in Left Luggage must not exceed 60cm x 45 cm x 25cm in size.
• No gazebos, barbecues, camping stoves, or fires.
You will be able to leave your tent and luggage in the left-luggage facilities in the park.
What time do games begin?
Play starts on outside courts at 11am, No1 Court at 1pm, and on Centre at 1.30pm apart from finals weekend when play starts on Centre Court at 2pm.
New for 2023 is that matches on No1 Court will start at 11am on finals weekend.
A schedule is released around 8pm the night before.