Your guide to Wimbledon 2025: From the Queue to the court

How do I get tickets?

Is there anything more British than a queue? Wimbledon combines two great UK pastimes — tennis and standing in a long line — by allowing you to buy your tickets in person on the day.

You can still get tickets in advance through the public ballot, a randomized lottery system, but since the ballot is now closed for the 2025 season (and you’re still reading this section), it’s safe to say your best chance is probably the Queue. Thousands of tickets and grounds passes are available to purchase every day.

Lining up to buy a ticket has some unique benefits — you can chat with other fans, camp overnight (some people’s idea of a good time), and take part in a genuine Wimbledon tradition. That said, the Queue is “first come first served” (Serve! Get it?), so taking part does not ensure access to the grounds. The earlier you join, the more likely you are to get in.

A guide to the Wimbledon Queue

The Queue isn’t for the fainthearted, but with forward planning and a little luck, you can claim a grounds pass or even a Centre Court seat. The process can be a little confusing, so let’s make it simple.

At 2pm in the afternoon before each match day, you can show up at Wimbledon Park and start queuing. A steward will give you a “queue card” and ask you to download the Wimbledon app (free Wi-Fi is available in the park) to get updates on the event. Your card represents your position in the Queue, but remember, you can’t just leave and come back once you have it. The stewards check regularly to make sure people are still in line — if you’re gone for too long, your card won’t be enough to get you back to your original spot.

People who arrive the day before camp out overnight in the park. You’ll find toilets and food trucks nearby, and leaving the line for essential breaks (like getting a quick bite or using the toilet) is absolutely acceptable. You can chance it and arrive early on match day, but you’re less likely to get a good seat if you do.

Between 5am and 6am the next day, the stewards will make sure everyone is awake and people can pack up their tents. From that point, it’s just a matter of waiting and shuffling slowly forward. During the next few hours, the first roughly 1,500 people in line will receive wristbands that guarantee access to Centre Court, No. 1 Court, or No. 2 Court. When you have a wristband for one of these courts, you’ll be guaranteed the option to buy a ticket for that location when you reach the turnstiles.

If you’re further back in the Queue and miss out on a wristband, don’t despair! You can still snag a grounds pass for about £30. These do sell out, but with several thousand available, you’ve got a good chance of getting one even if you don’t camp overnight. Whatever ticket you end up with, you’ll be on the Wimbledon grounds by 11am, ready for the start of the outside courts matches.

Getting to Wimbledon

The All England Club is in southwest London, and the easiest way to get there is by public transport. The nearest underground station is Southfields (on the District Line), a 15-minute walk from the grounds. You can also take the train to Wimbledon Station and catch a shuttle from there, walk (around 25 minutes), or call a taxi.

If you're coming from central London, the whole journey should take about 45 to 60 minutes. Plan to arrive early — especially if you’re joining the Queue — and keep in mind that the surrounding roads can get very busy. Some taxi drivers might not even attempt to navigate the area.

Wimbledon opens its gates to the public at 10am each day, with matches on outside courts starting around 11 am and show court matches beginning at 1 pm. You can enter through Gates 3, 4, and 12 on Church Road, or Gate 13 if you’re coming from Wimbledon Park after the Queue. Just make sure to allow time for security checks, especially if you’re bringing a bag in with you.

What should I wear?

Wimbledon doesn’t have a strict dress code for general ticket holders, but certain themes run throughout the event’s fashion. The whole affair feels a little like an English garden party, so use that as your guiding theme. It’s up to you how formal you go, but try to keep the color scheme light — white and cream is the move. Your Wimbledon wardrobe essentials are:  

• Light, smart-casual clothes. We’re talking about linen shirts, summer dresses, polos, chinos, and breathable cardigans.

• Comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking and queueing, so swap out heels for trainers, sandals, or other lightweight footwear. You can always pack something a little fancier in your bag.

• Adaptable layers. When you’re dealing with British weather, hope for the best and plan for the worst. A wool sweater won’t go amiss, especially one you can tie around your waist or shoulders when the heat feels more intense. Consider bringing a foldable waterproof jacket, too.

• Sun protection. We did say “hope for the best” — and hopefully the sun will be shining! Sunscreen is never a bad idea, because you’ll be out in the light for long periods of time. It’s also worth bringing sunglasses and a hat (preferably a cap that shields your eyes).

In addition to appropriate clothing, make sure to bring a charging pack. Charging stations can be found around Wimbledon, but these will be in high demand, so packing your own will make life a little easier. 

Will I see the King?

Wimbledon’s Royal Box is famous for its celebrity-studded guest list, and it’s not unusual to see royals — especially the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are both big tennis fans.

The Royal Box is invitation-only, but you might spot some familiar faces from a distance. Keep your eyes peeled for British politicians, global pop stars, and Hollywood actors from across the pond. Last year, Margot Robbie, Paul Mescal, Tom Cruise, and Zendaya were all at Wimbledon.

You may or may not see King Charles, but you’ll almost certainly catch glimpses of some Hollywood royalty.

What will I eat at Wimbledon?

Tennis might be the main event, but Wimbledon is also intrinsically linked to classic English food and drink. Many fans like to bring a picnic with them, and if you take that route, you’re allowed to pack one bottle of wine or champagne per person (or two cans of beer or cider).

You can also buy food on the grounds, of course. Strawberries and cream is a classic, with over two million berries served every year. You’ll find warming British classics like fish and chips and sausage rolls, and booze will be in plentiful supply (especially Pimm’s, a fruity, herby summer cocktail, served over a lot of ice).

Just bear in mind that prices on the grounds will be high. If you’re not bringing a picnic, make sure to allocate some of your budget towards food and drink.

What else can I do at Wimbledon?

Even if you’re not watching a Centre Court match, there’s loads to do around the grounds. Big screens on Henman Hill (also called Murray Mound, in reference to the legendary British tennis player) let you catch the top matches even if you don’t have a courtside seat. Watching the screens with a picnic, surrounded by other revelers, can be a lot of fun, with a real festival atmosphere.

You can also explore the Hilltop Garden, pick up some mementos at the Wimbledon Shop, and splash some cash at one of many cafes and bars dotted around the site. Interested in tennis history? Head on over to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum — it's included in your grounds pass (and in court tickets, of course).

Treat a day at Wimbledon like one big, classy party. Sure, the sport is the heart of the event, but socializing, eating, and drinking are all big parts of the experience too. 

Staying online at Wimbledon

Bringing your own food and champagne to Wimbledon is one way to keep costs down. If you’re traveling from outside the UK, another money-saving tip is to use an eSIM app instead of relying on data roaming.

Roaming fees can mount up fast, but Wimbledon’s free Wi-Fi will probably be quite slow because of the thousands of people connected to it. With an eSIM app like Saily, you can get online easily, without breaking the bank.

Saily connects you to local mobile providers, and if you set up your plan in advance, it will activate as soon as you arrive in the UK. No need to worry about roaming costs, patchy Wi-Fi, or swapping out physical SIM cards — a few taps is all it takes to get Saily up and running.

If you decide to travel with Saily, make sure to use the code UK5 to get 5% off any plan with 10 GB or more data. Then, while Saily keeps you online, you can keep your eyes on the court!