All Articles Wimbledon 2023: Your guide to visiting London for The Championships

Wimbledon 2023: Your guide to visiting London for The Championships

From Roger Federer’s opening match in the 2018 Championships at Wimbledon against Dusan Lajovic of Serbia.
Image: Shep McAllister / Unsplash
By Anchit Kher25 May 2023 3 minutes read

Wimbledon is the biggest and most prestigious tennis tournament on the planet. It’s one of the four Grand Slam tournaments—along with the US Open, Australian Open, and French Open—and it is the only one played on grass.

With an electrifying atmosphere, and a history dating back to 1877, Wimbledon London is an experience like no other. The courts are soaked with the sweat and tears of former champions. Here’s all you need to know if you’re planning a visit to London for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

When is Wimbledon 2023?

Held over two weeks in summer, this year's Wimbledon takes place from July 3 to July 16, 2o23.

Roger Federer playing a tennis match at Wimbledon in London
Image: papie / Tripadvisor

Where is Wimbledon held and how do I get there?

Wimbledon is held each year at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The closest Tube station is Southfields on the District line between East Putney and Wimbledon Park station. From the station, it takes a 15-minute stroll down Church Road to reach the club.

If you’re coming from Central London, it takes 20 minutes from Paddington Station to reach Southfields via the Tube. Tickets cost 2–3 pounds ($2.60–$3.90) on average.

Wimbledon station is the nearest National Rail station, and trains from Waterloo to Wimbledon take around 20 minutes.

How to get tickets for Wimbledon?

There are a few ways to get tickets for Wimbledon, but the main way is through the ballot.

1. Public ballot

A Wimbledon custom since 1924, a public ballot typically runs from September to December the year before the event, with successful applicants being notified the following February.

People camping in tents for tickets to Wimbledon in London
Image: udo090265 / Tripadvisor

2. Wimbledon "The Queue"

As prestigious as Wimbledon is, it remains one of the only major sporting events in the U.K. where spectators can purchase premium tickets on the day itself, at the venue. However, this often requires you to camp overnight, so be sure to come prepared with water, tents, lawn chairs, and other essentials.

3. Resale tickets

When ticket holders leave before the end of play, their tickets are scanned on exit from the Grounds and will be resold inside the Grounds before 3 p.m. This is at the kiosk to the north of Court 18, near the top of St Mary’s Walk. If you buy a Grounds Pass, you may have a chance to secure a resale ticket.

4. Debentures

Debentures are similar to a season pass; it guarantees you a premium seat at Centre Court or No.1 Court for The Championships for five years, along with access to exclusive restaurants and bars. A Centre Court debenture provides one ticket for all 14 days of The Championships, while a No.1 Court debenture gives 11 days with the right to buy face-value tickets for the last three days, where the finals are usually held.

Debentures are the only Wimbledon tickets that are legally transferable and are sold on a secondary market. Typically, debenture holders will attend on some days and sell their tickets on other days, either privately or through a third party.

How much do Wimbledon tickets cost?

There are five types of tickets: Centre Court, No.1 to No.3 Courts, and Ground Passes. A seat in the Centre Court costs 70 pounds from Day 1, and increases as the tournament progresses. To book your seat in the Finals, tickets cost 200 pounds and up.

Tiered pricing has been introduced for Centre Court and No.1 Court. This means that you will have to pay a slight premium for seats at the front, which range from an additional 5 to 25 pounds.

Prices for the other courts are more affordable—for No.2 and No.3 Courts, prices range from 46 to 90 pounds, and for Grounds Passes, prices range from 8 to 27 pounds.

Where to stay in Wimbledon?

Outside Rose & Crown hotel in Wimbledon, London
Image: Management / Tripadvisor

You can choose from a variety of hotels located near the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Our top recommendations are The Wimbledon Hotel (about $90 a night), Rose and Crown (about $150 a night), and The Dog & Fox (about $210 a night)—all of which are less than a 10-minute walk away.

What can you eat at Wimbledon?

Shrimp platter served at Wimbledon, London
Strawberries and cream served at Wimbledon, London
Image: Melissa M (left), Joey (right) / Tripadvisor

Can you say that you’ve been to Wimbledon if you’ve never had their classic strawberries and cream dessert? Sold for 2.50 pounds at the venue, it comes in a small box—called a punnet—which contains about ten berries. On average, 2,600 gallons of cream and 61,000 pounds of strawberries are consumed every year during the two-week tournament.

But like any other major sporting event, there is a myriad of other food options on offer, from homemade salads to gourmet sandwiches and seasonal dishes prepared by Wimbledon kitchen chefs using local British produce. These do come at a price, so pack a sandwich or two if you’re on a budget.

How should you dress for Wimbledon?

Serena Williams playing at Wimbledon in London
Image: David W / Tripadvisor

Wimbledon enforces a strict all-white dress code for competitors and royal patronage. For the public, there isn’t a dress code (unless you’re in the exclusive dining areas) but dressing smartly is encouraged. Come dressed for comfort but given it is summertime in England, be prepared for wet weather.

What else can you do in Wimbledon?

A guide and tour group in front of the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon
The Wimbledon Challenge Cup on display at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Image: Management / Tripadvisor

Besides watching matches, you can visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum (priced at only 13 pounds). You can also do the full tour of London’s main sights which concludes at the museum.

Anchit Kher
Anchit Kher writes about exploration of the world, mind and soul through travel, laughter and friendships. As a freelancer, he writes to reflect, learn and express - always on the lookout for the next inspiration. Outside of work, he enjoys watching & playing football, singing bad karaoke, learning a new board game, or enjoying the hearty hawker food of Singapore.