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A Backpackers’ Guide to Wimbledon on a Budget

 

 

Wimbledon: Seen from the TV, it often seems like there’s a conspicuous absence of ‘normal’ people in amongst the crowds of champagne quaffing, strawberry scoffing spectators.  

 

Backpackers and budget travelers traveling in London this June and July should be aware, though, that there are ways of doing it (sort of) on the cheap.

 

On-day Sales

 

Wimbledon is one of the few remaining sporting events that sells many of its tickets on the day of play. Queue overnight for the 500-odd Centre Court tickets that go on sale, or join the queue (it starts in Wimbledon Park normally, and ends at Gate 3) a few hours before gates open for Ground Admission tickets.

 

The latter give you access to all the ‘outside courts’, and the seating area for Court 2, but not Court 1 or Centre. Buying tickets this way is surprisingly cheap – Ground Admission tickets are a mere £20 (CASH ONLY) for a whole day’s play.

 

Grandstand tickets can’t be purchased – you have to enter into a public ballot, and the deadline’s long gone. However, get your Ground-Admission pass and hang around the entrances to Centre or 1 Court and you might just get lucky.

 

Other Viewing Options

 

As the day goes on, people will have to leave for home – meaning you can pick up a free ticket and see some play in those two prestigious stadiums. And don’t feel scared to ask – the ground staff don’t normally object to you hanging around looking for a free pass.

 

If you want to watch the action on the main courts but don’t have a pass, take a seat on the hill north of Centre Court (known as Aorangi Park, or Henman Hill/Rusedski Ridge/Mount Murray, depending).

 

A huge screen broadcasts the play, and the hill is invariably packed with people picnicking, drinking and cheering away. Oh, you might just get on the TV here, too.

 

For on-day sale prices go to: http://aeltc.wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/tickets/tickets_prices.html

 

Don’t Buy Anything – Take a Picnic

 

Seriously. The tickets may be cheap, but the LTA need to make their money from somewhere. Whether it’s strawberries and cream, or a harmless bottle of water, you’ll end up paying through the nose.

It’s Ok to take soft-sided bags into the grounds, so cram one with as much grub as possible (including an all-important punnet of strawberries), and live off that for a day.

 

You’re allowed to take alcohol in – to the tune of one bottle of wine or two cans per person – although we dare say that can be stretched if you use your imagination…

 

Take sun cream, water, and an umbrella. All three are useful when it’s hot, and the second two are useful when it’s not! (Again, avoid paying for anything once you’re in.)

 

Memorabilia & Mementoes

 

Take a small pad and pen. You’ll almost certainly see a few stars walking around the grounds during the day, and they’re normally obliging when it comes to signing things. Buying pads on the day won’t be a cheap experience.

 

If you want to take memorabilia home with you, avoid the official souvenir shops like the plague and head instead to the Used Championship Balls kiosk.

 

Here you can pick up a tin of used match balls for a relatively reasonable 4 quid by the tin (that’s 4 balls). The tins come stamped with an official mark, as does each ball.

 

There’s a chance that the balls here have been hit by Roger Federer (they might even have spent a breathless moment resting in Maria Sharapova’s utility underwear).

 

Of course, if taking these measures still makes a day at Wimbledon too expensive, you can always make like the rest of London and slink off to the pub to watch it. Cheap and cheerful.