Wimbledon 2023: Affordable Access to Centre Court
This year’s Wimbledon offers an incredible opportunity for attendees to experience the prestigious Centre Court without breaking the bank, with tickets available for as low as £15. This figure stands in stark contrast to the escalating prices for premium seating, which can soar to £160 by Friday and hit a staggering £270 for the singles finals by the end of Week 2.
Ticket Resale System
The secret to scoring these affordable tickets lies in the tournament’s official resale system. Accessible only to attendees already present at the venue with a valid ticket, the service operates through a daily lottery managed via the Wimbledon app. Each day, when it’s anticipated that some spectators will leave the grounds before play wraps up, participants can enter for a chance to purchase tickets at significantly lower prices. Successful entrants can claim Centre Court seats for just £15, or tickets for No. 1 or No. 2 Court for only £10.
Michelle Dite, operations manager for the All England Club, highlighted the voluntary nature of the ticket resale process, emphasizing the aim of making tennis reachable for a wider audience. “We’re selling the same ticket twice,” she explained.
The proceeds from these resales contribute to charitable causes via the Wimbledon Foundation, which raised almost $80,000 in the tournament’s first three days this year. Last year’s total from ticket resales reached around $300,000.
Evolution of the Resale Process
Interestingly, the practice of ticket reselling has been part of Wimbledon’s history since 1954, though in previous years, fans interested in this option had to physically queue once they arrived at the grounds. Until now, the only way to access these savings was to line up in hopes of being among the first to snag a return ticket. The process, however, has now evolved into a more modern virtual queue.
For participation, spectators must opt-in through the app and get their smartphones scanned by 2:30 PM at designated kiosks, situated near the fan queue where many camp overnight to secure tickets. The excitement builds as they await a text message alerting them of their potentially successful resale—this phase takes place between 3 PM and 9 PM. If their entry is successful, they have ten minutes to confirm their interest and an additional twenty minutes to complete the purchase at the designated resale booth behind No. 1 Court, armed with the necessary QR code for payment.
Attendee Experiences
One attendee, Henry Thompson, a 38-year-old math teacher from Missouri, expressed relief at the efficiency of the new system, saying it improved their experience. He managed to secure a ticket for No. 2 Court for just £10, a fraction of the original £85 price, to watch American player Ben Shelton.
Players have also praised the initiative for its role in enhancing spectator access. Marcos Giron, currently ranked 45th in the world, remarked, “It’s beneficial to the sport to give people access to those courts for a reasonable price. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Others, like Chen Pinjung from Taiwan, shared her journey of waiting six hours just to secure a grounds pass for £30, followed by successfully purchasing resale tickets for No. 1 Court for an additional £10. This allowed her to enjoy a match featuring 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, originally priced at £110.
With such an innovative ticket system in place, it seems many are catching on fast. Rafael Garcia, who was with his girlfriend and her brother, expressed hope for increased awareness regarding the resale options. “If everybody knew how that works, I’m sure everybody would apply,” he said, reflecting on their previous ignorance of the process.
