Wimbledon
The Wimbledon Queue: how it works
The Queue is one of the great traditions in sport: turn up, often camp overnight in Wimbledon Park, and earn the chance to buy tickets on the day at face value. It's the most democratic route of all — no ballot luck, no debenture required, just patience and an early start. A limited number of Centre Court, No.1 Court and No.2 Court tickets are released to the Queue each day (except, traditionally, for the final days on the show courts), along with thousands of Grounds Passes. Here's how to do it properly.
What the Queue offers
Each day of The Championships, the AELTC sells a fixed number of tickets to people who queue in person. These fall into two camps: a limited allocation of premium show-court tickets (Centre, No.1 and No.2 Courts) for those near the front, and a much larger number of Grounds Passes, which give access to the outside courts, the big screen on the Hill and the general grounds. Grounds Passes are brilliant value early in the fortnight, when many top players appear on the outside courts.
How the Queue works, step by step
- 1
Head to Wimbledon Park
The official queue forms in Wimbledon Park, across the road from the Grounds. Stewards manage it and it is well organised — this is a proper British queue, not a free-for-all.
- 2
Arrive early — or camp overnight
For show-court tickets, serious queuers camp overnight the night before. For a Grounds Pass later in the fortnight, arriving early in the morning can still work. The earlier you arrive, the better your position.
- 3
Collect your Queue Card
You'll be issued a numbered Queue Card that fixes your place. Don't lose it: it must be presented to buy your ticket and your number determines what's available to you.
- 4
Wait, then move down with the queue
In the morning the queue is walked towards the turnstiles. Stewards give regular updates on numbers and likely availability for the show courts that day.
- 5
Buy your ticket at the gate
At the ticket office you pay face value — card is the norm. Those at the front get the chance at show-court tickets; everyone within the daily limit can buy a Grounds Pass.
What to bring
- A tent (within the permitted size) if you're camping overnight, plus a sleeping bag and warm layers — summer nights in London can still be cold.
- Cash and a card: a card for the tickets, some cash for refreshments and the van vendors.
- Food, water and a flask, although there are facilities and vendors near the queue.
- Waterproofs and sun cream — you may need both in the same day at Wimbledon.
- Patience and good humour: the camaraderie of the queue is part of the experience.
Show-court tickets vs Grounds Pass
| Show-court (Queue) | Grounds Pass (Queue) | |
|---|---|---|
| Number available | Limited | Several thousand |
| Best arrival | Overnight camp | Early morning |
| What you see | A named show court | Outside courts + the Hill |
| Best value when | You want the big stage | Early fortnight, many stars outside |
Show-court tickets are not generally sold through the Queue on the final days. Check the official Queue Guide for the current year.
Re-entry, resale and the famous Hill
Two things worth knowing. First, there's a long-standing system of resold show-court tickets: spectators who leave early can return their show-court tickets, which are then resold cheaply later in the day, with proceeds going to charity. Second, even without a show-court ticket, a Grounds Pass lets you watch the big matches on the giant screen from the grass bank known as the Hill — one of the most enjoyable, sociable ways to experience Wimbledon.