It’s time for the tennis! If you want to go to Wimbledon to watch the tennis, but you don’t have a ticket, what are your most cost-effective options?
Buying Wimbledon tickets from agencies attracts fees and premiums, and buying from touts is not advisable as tickets may be counterfeit or out of date. So, what else can you do?
Buy at face value from the queue
Unlike many other sporting events, hundreds of Wimbledon tickets are kept back by the organisers for sale on the day. Many people queue up overnight in order to buy these tickets, and it’s not uncommon to find yourself with a seat on Centre Court. You will have to pay face value for any premium court tickets, but at least you won’t get ripped off by a tout.
There is a whole etiquette to waiting in the Wimbledon queue that you might like to brush up on before setting out. Be warned that there is only one queue (at the turnstiles of Gate 3) for all the different types of on-the-day tickets.
Entry to the grounds
Several thousand tickets are available each day for entry to the Wimbledon grounds. These allow you to soak up the atmosphere and use the unreserved seating and standing areas of Courts 3-19. You should still be able to see some excellent matches, although you might not see any of the big famous names.
You can also go and sit on ‘Henman Hill’, properly known as Aorangi Terrace, an area in the grounds near No.1 Court where there’s a giant screen. You can eat your picnic while watching the championship matches on the big telly.
Gain late entry to the Championships
People with Championship match tickets sometimes have to leave early, because of sunstroke, meetings and other commitments, for example. If you queue for late entry, you may be able to buy these partly-used tickets for a reduced fee.
Go to the kiosk near Court 18 near the top of St Mary’s Walk from 3pm onwards. You won’t be able to see the entire match, but you could end up seeing the winning moment at the end.
Outside the grounds
Around the UK, there will be big screens showing the action in parks and other public spaces for free. Check your local paper or council website to see what’s showing near you.
On the 8th of July, Cineworld cinemas will also be showing the Men’s Final in 3D. For more information and tickets, visit their website.
Better luck next year?
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) hold annual ballots where people can win the opportunity to purchase reasonably-priced advance tickets. Unfortunately the 2012 allocation has already taken place.
However, you can register from 1st August 2012 onwards for next year’s AELTC ballots. The LTA holds several different ballots throughout the coming months, which are detailed in full on their website.
{Image: Andy Cardiff}
