Every day during the two-week Wimbledon Championships, thousands of tennis fans take part in one of Britain’s most iconic sporting traditions: the Wimbledon Queue.
For those who miss out on the highly competitive public ballot, where around 10% of entrants are randomly selected ten months before the tournament, the queue offers a chance to buy tickets on the day.
Founded in 1877, Wimbledon is the world’s oldest tennis tournament, and its famous queue remains one of the few ways to buy premium tickets on the day of play for a major sporting event.
A limited number are available for Centre Court, No.1 Court and No.2 Court, while those further back can still purchase a grounds pass – priced at £33 this year – to watch matches on the other 15 courts.
With tickets sold on a first-come, first-served basis, the earlier you arrive, the better your chances and so the most dedicated fans pitch their tents the night before to secure their place near the front of the line.
Our reporter joined the queue from 4.30am to meet the fans camping overnight and document the journey from tents to tickets before finally making it inside the All England Club.
Watch the full video below to see what it’s really like to experience one of Wimbledon’s most enduring traditions:
Featured image credit: Jennifer Thompson Chatburn
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