To get a Wimbledon 2026 day ticket, join The Queue at Wimbledon Park from the evening before. The Queue officially opens on Sunday 28 June 2026 at 2:00 pm. A Ground Pass costs £33 (Week 1) and gives access to the outer courts, Henman Hill and the resale kiosk. The first 500 people in the queue almost always secure a Centre Court ticket from around £115. Arrive between 9 pm and 10 pm the night before to target Centre Court, or between 4 am and 6 am for a Ground Pass. After 3 pm, unused tickets are resold for £15 at the kiosk. Non-UK/Irish visitors will need an ETA (£20, mandatory since 25 February 2026).
4 am, a folding chair on your back, sharing a cup of tea with a stranger: welcome to The Queue, the most British tradition in world sport. Every year for more than a century, thousands of tennis fans have camped out in Wimbledon Park to secure a day ticket for The Championships — the only Grand Slam in the world that still guarantees this popular access to Centre Court. In 2026, Wimbledon runs from 29 June to 12 July, with The Queue opening on 28 June at 2 pm. Carlos Alcaraz is absent this year (wrist injury), making the early days more accessible than ever. This guide tells you exactly how to survive — and succeed — in The Queue.
1. The Queue: a century-old tradition worth every minute
The only queue in the world for a Centre Court ticket
The Queue has existed in some form since 1927. Officially relocated to Wimbledon Park in 2008 by the AELTC, it now welcomes around 10,000 people a day, according to the BBC. Its principle is simple and fair: regardless of your budget or connections, if you arrive early enough and wait patiently, you can watch tennis on Centre Court. As the AELTC’s head steward James Mendelssohn put it: « It’s the only Grand Slam where a true tennis fan is guaranteed a Centre Court ticket. All it takes is patience. » Since 2022, the X accounts @ViewFromTheQ and @TheWimbledonQ tweet live updates on the state of the queue to help you decide when to arrive.
The Queue highlights
- 500 Centre Court tickets available each day via The Queue (Days 1 to 10)
- Several thousand Ground Passes sold each morning from 9:30 am
- Unique community atmosphere: Pimm’s, guitars, mini-matches between tents
- Free Wi-Fi, food trucks and left luggage on site
2. Hour-by-hour timeline: from arrival to gates open
The complete overnight Queue schedule
According to Green & Purple, here is the typical schedule for a night in The Queue:
- Day -1, 2:00 pm: official opening of The Queue — the keenest fans arrive at this point for a front-row Centre Court ticket
- Day -1, 9–10 pm: recommended arrival time to target Centre Court (position #200–#600 approximately)
- Day -1, 10:00 pm: mandatory quiet time in the Queue Village — food deliveries no longer accepted
- Day 0, midnight–5 am: the camping night — impromptu concerts, Pimm’s, card games, strawberries shared with queue neighbours
- Day 0, 4–6 am: arrival for a Ground Pass or Court 1 (positions #1,500–#5,000)
- Day 0, 5:30 am: left luggage opens (Left Luggage A, £5 for large bags)
- Day 0, 5:30–6:00 am: wake-up by stewards — first coffee from the food trucks
- Day 0, 7:30 am: wristbands distributed (colour-coded by court allocation)
- Day 0, 9:30 am: box office opens — cashless payment only (bank card required)
- Day 0, 10:00 am: AELTC gates open
- Day 0, 3:00 pm+: resale kiosk activates north of Court 18 — returned tickets at £15 (Centre Court) or £10 (Court 1/2)
3. Ground Pass, Court 1 or Centre Court: which ticket suits you?
Official Wimbledon 2026 prices and your odds depending on queue position
According to the AELTC’s official 2026 data (sources: Londonist and Green & Purple), here are the prices and odds:
| Queue position | Likely access | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| #1 – #500 | Centre Court almost guaranteed (Days 1–10) | ~£115 to £200 |
| #501 – #1,000 | Court 1 or Court 2 likely | ~£70 to £100 |
| #1,001 – #1,500 | Wristband possible (Court 1/2/Centre depending on availability) | ~£60 to £180 |
| #1,501 – #5,000+ | Ground Pass only | £33 (Days 1–8), £26 (Days 9–11), £21 (Days 12–14) |
The Ground Pass: far more than just an entry ticket
With a Ground Pass you can access Courts 3 to 18 (quality matches in the first week featuring top-30 players), Henman Hill / Aorangi Terrace (the big screen broadcasting Centre Court matches live), the Wimbledon Museum included in your ticket, and all food and drink areas. Court 3 is particularly recommended for its intimate atmosphere. From 3 pm, scan your myWimbledon ID at the resale kiosk near Court 18 to join the virtual queue and try to secure a Centre Court ticket for just £15 — 100% of the proceeds go to the Wimbledon Foundation.
4. Kit checklist: what to pack for your night in The Queue
What to bring — and what is banned
According to the AELTC’s official Code of Conduct (wimbledon.com), here is what queuers bring and the rules to follow:
Essential items to pack
- Lightweight folding chair or sleeping mat (minimal comfort for the night)
- Sleeping bag or fleece blanket (late June nights can be chilly)
- Waterproof jacket and rain cover (London weather is unpredictable)
- Food and water for 12+ hours (Tesco/Sainsbury’s at Wimbledon Village — stock up the evening before)
- Fully charged portable battery pack (charging points on site but paid)
- myWimbledon app installed with account created (scanned by stewards at entry)
- Bank card (cashless payments only for tickets)
- Sun cream and a hat (for the day on the outer courts)
- 1 bottle of wine or champagne (750 ml) OR 2 cans of beer (500 ml) — in your bag for the grounds
Strictly forbidden
- Gazebo, barbecue, camping stove or fire — absolute ban
- Food deliveries after 10:00 pm (collect at the Wimbledon Park Road entrance before 10 pm)
- Selfie sticks inside the grounds
- Hard cool box, thermos flask over 500 ml or rigid lunch box
- Tent for more than 2 people
5. Budget and getting there: reaching Wimbledon Park from London or abroad
Getting to Wimbledon Park from central London or international arrival airports
The AELTC’s recommended route is the District Line → Southfields Station (Zone 3), a 5-minute walk from the Queue Village entrance (via Wimbledon Park Road). The first Tube from Southfields on a weekday runs at around 5:55 am — perfect if you are arriving in the morning for a Ground Pass. For those joining The Queue overnight (before 5:55 am), a taxi or Uber from your London accommodation is the solution — or better still, arrive the previous afternoon and camp directly in The Queue.
Flying into London? From Heathrow, take the Elizabeth line to Paddington, then the District line to Southfields (around 75 minutes total). From Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria, then the District line to Southfields (around 60 minutes). From Stansted, the Stansted Express runs to Liverpool Street, then take the Central line and change to the District line (around 90 minutes).
Estimated budgets by scenario
- Scenario A — Ground Pass (arrive 5–6 am): Ground Pass £33 + transport £6–8 + food £20–45 ≈ £65–95 total
- Scenario B — Court 2 (arrive previous evening at 9 pm): Ticket ~£65–80 + transport £6–8 + food evening+day £25–40 + left luggage £5 ≈ £105–135
- Scenario C — Centre Court (arrive previous afternoon 3–5 pm): Ticket ~£115–200 + transport £6–8 + food £30–50 + left luggage £5 + accommodation Southfields £80–150/night ≈ £235–415
Book accommodation in Southfields or Wimbledon Village 6 to 9 months in advance — prices double or triple during the Wimbledon fortnight. The Southfields area has several affordable B&Bs and Airbnbs within walking distance of the Queue Village.
Practical information for your Wimbledon trip
Essential for using the myWimbledon app without roaming charges. Activate before you even board, from just a few pounds for 7 days of UK data.
From ~£4 / 7 daysNHS covers emergency care for UK residents, but if you are visiting from abroad, travel insurance is strongly recommended for your Wimbledon trip — covering cancellations, lost luggage and medical repatriation.
From ~£1.60 / dayFrequently asked questions about The Wimbledon Queue 2026
What time should I arrive for The Wimbledon Queue 2026?
It depends on the ticket you are targeting. For Centre Court, arriving between 9 pm and 10 pm the evening before (from Sunday 28 June at 2:00 pm for Day 1) is recommended. For Court 1 or Court 2, arrive between 3 am and 5 am. For a Ground Pass, arriving between 5 am and 7 am is generally sufficient in Week 1 — but in Week 2 (high-stakes matches), aim for 4–5 am. According to Green & Purple, stewards will tell you on arrival if the queue is already too long for the ticket you want.
How much does a Wimbledon 2026 Ground Pass cost?
The 2026 Ground Pass costs £33 for Days 1 to 8 (29 June – 6 July), then £26 for Days 9 to 11 (7–9 July) and £21 for Days 12 to 14 (10–12 July). This is a £3 increase on 2025 (£30). It gives access to Courts 3 to 18, Henman Hill with the big screen, and the resale kiosk from 3 pm. Source: Londonist 2026.
Can you see Centre Court with a Wimbledon Ground Pass?
Not directly, but there are two options: 1) Henman Hill (Aorangi Terrace), the famous lawn with a big screen broadcasting Centre Court matches live — a guaranteed festive atmosphere. 2) The resale kiosk: from 3 pm, unused Centre Court tickets are resold for £15 (100% of proceeds go to the Wimbledon Foundation). Activate your myWimbledon ID when you arrive in the morning to join the kiosk virtual queue. Source: wimbledon.com.
What do I need to bring for an overnight stay in The Wimbledon Queue?
The essentials according to the AELTC Code of Conduct and regular queuers: folding chair or sleeping mat, sleeping bag (late June nights can drop to 12–15°C), waterproof jacket, food and water for 12+ hours, portable battery pack, bank card (cashless only), myWimbledon app installed. Tents are allowed (max 2 people), but gazebos, barbecues and camping stoves are banned. Food deliveries are accepted until 10 pm only. Source: wimbledon.com Code of Conduct.
Is there an alternative to The Queue for getting a Wimbledon ticket?
Yes, several alternatives exist: 1) The official Ballot (draw for AELTC Members) — applications open several months in advance. 2) Debentures — premium tickets for certificate holders (up to £73,000 for 5 years of Court 1) with legal resale at market price. 3) Hospitality packages (from around £1,145 per person with official operators). These alternatives are either very expensive or require advance registration. The Queue remains the only option accessible on the day, at the official price. Note: on Days 11–14, Centre Court tickets are no longer available via The Queue.
Do I need a UK ETA to attend Wimbledon 2026?
If you are not a British or Irish national, yes — since 25 February 2026, the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is mandatory for all non-UK/Irish visitors entering the United Kingdom, including EU citizens, Americans, Australians and Canadians. Cost: £20 (as of April 2026), valid 2 years, multiple trips of up to 6 months. Apply in a few minutes via the UK ETA app or at gov.uk/eta. Allow at least 3 working days before departure. No ETA means no boarding — applicable to flights, Eurostar and ferries. British and Irish passport holders are exempt. Source: Home Office UK, ETA factsheet April 2026.
Sources
- Wimbledon.com — The Queue (official) — official AELTC 2026 rules, timings and procedures
- Wimbledon.com — Queue Code of Conduct — conduct rules and equipment restrictions
- Londonist — How to Queue for Wimbledon Tickets 2026 — official 2026 Ground Pass prices
- Green & Purple — Complete Wimbledon Queue & Camping Guide — timeline and first-hand accounts
- Green & Purple — Official Wimbledon 2026 Price List — full ticket price list
- Wimbledon.com — Ticket Resale Kiosk — returned ticket details £15/£10
- NPR — At Wimbledon, fans camp in the Queue (July 2025) — overnight atmosphere first-hand accounts
- Home Office UK — ETA Factsheet April 2026 — ETA regulations for non-UK/Irish nationals
- Euronews — No Permission, No Travel (February 2026) — ETA enforcement since February 2026
- Tennis Now — Wimbledon 2025 attendance record — 548,770 spectators
Sources verified 24 May 2026.
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