Lawn tennis. Strawberries and cream. Sun hats. Pimm's. Add a well-organised queue to the mix and you've reached peak Brit.
The Wimbledon Championships — taking place from Monday 29 June-Sunday 12 July 2026 — is one of the few major UK sporting events where the public can get their hands on tickets on the day of play itself. And yes, we have a good-old fashioned queue to thank for that. So iconic is this queue, in fact, Wimbledon itself now refers to it as 'The Queue'.
If you haven't been fortunate/organised enough to get tickets through the Wimbledon ballot (which closes by the end of the previous year), then The Queue is your best chance of getting to see some world class tennis in SW19.
What day tickets can you queue for at Wimbledon?
Each day of the tournament, there are around 500 tickets each for No. 1 Court, No. 2 Court and the much-coveted Centre Court (except for the last four days on Centre Court, where tickets are only sold in advance). These are known as Show Court tickets — and they are VERY sought after.
In addition, thousands of Grounds Passes (aka Grounds Tickets) are also available daily. These give you access to the unreserved seating and standing room areas on Courts No. 3-18. If you just want to see some good tennis and soak up the atmosphere, we'd suggest plumping for one of these; they're cheaper, and much easier to get your mitts on. (Though it will still involve setting your alarm for Early O'Clock.)
Naturally, as the tournament progresses, the singles competition thins out, so you've got more choice on, say, Day 1 with a Grounds Pass than you have on Day 11. That said, doubles, wheelchair and juniors matches kick off later in Week 1/start of Week 2, so there's still plenty to see.
All tickets also allow you access to Murray Mound/Henman Hill/Raducanu Ridge, where people famously perch to watch action on the big screen.
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Another major tennis tournament is coming to London this year…
Looking for somewhere to get your elite tennis fix once it’s game, set and match for Wimbledon? We’ve got ace news: for the first time in four years (and the second time ever), the Laver Cup is happening here in London!
This unique (and utterly thrilling) team competition pits six of Europe’s best players against six tennis superstars from the rest of the world. Rivals become teammates for three high intensity days of singles and doubles.
The 2026 edition runs 25-27 September at The O2. Head here to see the likes of two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and 2026 Roland-Garros winner Alexander Zverev join forces with Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik, and two more yet-to-be-announced players for Team Europe. They battle against Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Alexander Bublik, Learner Tien and Tommy Paul on Team World. What’s more, each team is captained by a legend of the sport: Yannick Noah for Team Europe and Andre Agassi for Team World.
You’ll be pleased to know that snagging a seat at the Laver Cup doesn’t involve any ballots or massive queues either. Simply choose between single, multi-session and full tournament tickets — or treat yourself to a premium hospitality package. Book now for best seats.
How much do Wimbledon tickets cost?
It's a sliding scale. For example, a Day 1 Centre Court costs £115, whereas a Day 13/14 ticket costs up to £350 — because by this time, it's the finals, innit.
Grounds Pass prices work the other way. They start at £33 (still the bargain of the century if you ask us) on Day 1, and cost just £21 by Day 14 (by then, there's less tennis to see on the more minor courts).
Here's a full list of tickets prices for 2026.
Can I buy Wimbledon tickets with cash?
Nope, debit or credit card only.
Where do I join the Wimbledon queue?
The queue for on-the-day tickets starts in Wimbledon Park, eventually winding its way towards the Gate 3 turnstiles, where the tickets are sold. It's about a five-minute walk from Southfields station to join The Queue. (Other Wimbledon stations are not so close to the tennis.)
Here's a handy (and may we say lovingly illustrated) queue area map.
Transactions can be made by credit or debit card, one ticket per person, non-transferable and on a first-come-first-served basis.
What's to stop me other people from pushing in?
Such unbecoming behaviour is thwarted by the Queue Cards which are divvied out daily to each arrival to represent your exact placement in The Queue. They'll only be given to bona fide humans, so don't rely on getting a friend to collect one for you — that won't wash with the stewards handing them out.
Queue Cards are dated, numbered and will be checked on entry to the Grounds. Now THAT is how to do queuing.
So. Now you know the basics, it's time to ask yourself... What kind of Wimbledon queuer are you?
Overnight Wimbledon Queuer
Kudos. You are the unwashed king/queen of the queuers. Turn up the night before with your sleeping bag and tent (maximum size permitted is a two-person) and pitch up just metres from the front of The Queue. Note that barbecues, gazebos, smoking, loud music and generally being a drunken so-and-so are not permitted. Neither is any noise at all after 10pm. You are, however, permitted to order yourself a takeaway to Wimbledon Park Road gate. One person must remain with the tent at all times. A smattering of bottle stations, toilets, first aid tents and food stalls in the park mean you don't need to be Bear Grylls to make it through the night.
Expect to be woken by a steward around 6am to dismantle your camping gear, drop it off at the left luggage facility (there's a charge of £5 for overnight equipment) and — this is possibly our favourite bit — "close up into a tighter formation" to allow for those mere early-morning queuers to join behind you.
From 7.30am, stewards issue wristbands, starting at the front of The Queue, to those queueing for Centre, No.1 and No.2 Court. But you've still got a while till opening time. Better get yourself another cuppa.
Note from attending in 2026: It seems The Queue is so popular now, people start camping not just the night before, but the day before, for a chance of Show Court tickets.
Morning Wimbledon Queuer
Note: To give you an idea of The Queue's surging popularity as of 2026. We joined it around 6.30am on the first Monday of play, and were 8,340 in line. It took us about eight hours from joining The Queue to watching our first point of tennis. Yes, the weather was good, and Day 1 is among the most popular — but boy, has The Queue grown since we were last in it. If you don't want to camp out, we would highly recommend catching the very first Tube/tram/train of the day, or even consider booking a taxi, so you can get in line early.
If camping isn't your (sleeping) bag, joining The Queue by 5am-6am should still put you in good stead for Ground Passes. It's very unlikely there'll be Show Court tickets left.
You'll receive your Queue Card to dictate exactly when you arrived, then it's time for some serious hanging around. This is the most organised, best-behaved queue we've ever had the pleasure of joining: you can sit on the grass, read the paper, have a picnic... enjoy it!
Tickets are sold from 9.45am, and the full grounds open at 10am. Once Wimbledon is full with ticket holders, on-the-day queuers are subject to a one-in-one-out policy.
Afternoon Wimbledon Queuer
By mid to late afternoon, the main fixtures of the day will be in full swing, or otherwise have already happened (matches typically start on the outer courts at 11am and Number 1 Court/Centre Court at 1/1.30pm). If you simply want to experience the buzz of Wimbledon, catch some of the later games and cram fistfuls of strawberries in your gob, it's possible to join the queue after 5pm for late entry. By this time, many morning visitors will either have left or be leaving, so The Queue should move more swiftly. And if a plucky Brit hopeful is slogging it out in a five-setter, you can always pick a spot on Murray Mound/Henman Hill/Radacanu Ridge, and cheer them on from there.
If you're already inside the grounds post 3pm, there's the chance to bag yourself a return No.1 Court and No.2 Court ticket or Centre Court ticket for the remainder of that day of play, from the Ticket Resale Kiosk north of Court 18 (tickets cost £10-£15). It's not quite as straightforward as it used to be, and involves downloading the myWimbledon app, and also registering on site in person: more here.
Given that both the biggest courts now have roofs — and sometimes host nail-biting clashes long into the evening — this could end up being quite the steal.
(In case you're wondering, yes, people really do hand back their Show Court tickets, even with hours of the playing day left to go.)
Other useful info
🎾 If you want to be right at the front, the 2026 Wimbledon Queue opens at 2pm on Sunday 28 June. DO NOT arrive any earlier, capiche?
🎾 It's recommended you download the Wimbledon app and create a 'myWIMBLEDON' account, which will keep you updated with the latest news, and help you get the most out of your day at the tennis.
🎾 Those with accessibility requirements should call the Ticket Office ahead of time, as there are certain queue/car parking facilities available for mobility-impaired visitors. Stewards on the day will also be able to help. Check out Wimbledon's accessibility page for more details.
🎾 If you're considering bringing a giant, hard-edged bag emblazoned with political slogans and filled with knives, you might want to read Wimbledon's Conditions of Entry first.
🎾 If you're not up for picnicking, here's a list of places to eat and drink around the grounds.
Do bring: sunscreen, a hat, umbrella, water, a picnic, books or activities to keep you occupied while you wait, credit/debit card for your ticket purchase and cash for Pimm's/strawberries and cream.
Do not bring: selfie-sticks (they’re prohibited), barbecues, gazebos, large quantities of alcohol (Wimbledon kindly allows you to bring in one 750ml bottle of wine or two 500ml cans of booze per person), or a bag larger than 40cm x 30cm x 30cm as this is the maximum size permitted in the grounds. There are a number of left luggage facilities just outside of the grounds for anything larger, which cost £1 per item or £5 for overnight equipment. See all prohibited items here.
For any other queue-related questions, this Wimbledon Queue Guide should provide you with the answer.
