Wimbledon debenture tickets

Ways to see the 2011 Championships

Getting Wimbledon debenture tickets is not generally a task for the faint hearted. You have to really want them and to go to serious lengths to secure them. For most big events including Wimbledon it’s generally possible to go online or ring the ticket office – and provided you do so in good time, you should succeed for a sensible price. But to buy tickets requires a combination of research skills, patience, single-minded determination and luck. And of course money.
For the “show courts” Court 1 or Court 2, a ticket through the gate will only qualify you to watch matches on the outside courts, with no guarantee of a seat and large queues at every point. You run the risk of seeing the back of a lot of other people’s heads rather than any serious tennis.
1. The Ballot
One of the cheapest options is to go in for the Ballot run by All England Lawn Tennis Club. Even getting into that is quite laborious.
You write with a stamped addressed envelope and ask them to send you a ballot application form. Then you have to fill it in. This must be done after the end of August and before the end of December.
There are dire warnings all over the Ballot Paper that you can only enter this once, or you will be blacklisted forever. There are instructions/threats that any failure to follow the rules will disqualify you.
You will know sometime in February whether you have successfully secured your chance of tickets. Your chances are around 1 in 10. That means you have a 90% chance of not being successful. But even if you succeed in the ballot you may still be disappointed. You may only get an individual ticket. Your hopes of seeing Andy Murray versus Roger Federer on Centre Court may be fade as you may only get into Court Number 2 on the second Saturday, where the only thing on offer may be an over 45s Mixed Doubles or a Junior boys game.
You are not allowed to indicate a preference of which day or Court you want. All is in the gift of the All England Club.
But beware, if you can’t go for any reason, you will not be allowed to sell these tickets and they will not even let you give them away. They are not transferable, if you can’t go, you have to send them back. And if you are caught trying to sell them on eBay, they will void the ticket. Likewise, if you buy a Ballot ticket on eBay, there is a danger that this will be voided.

2. Buy Debenture Tickets
Alternatively you can buy Official Wimbledon Debentures tickets from a Debenture Holder. Many of the sites that sell Wimbledon tickets are selling Debenture seats. They are the only ones that can be transferred and sold on.
At Official Wimbledon debentures you can buy directly the tickets rather than selling them on to agents. You will also have access to the Debenture Lounges where you will have the opportunity to spend even more money on very pleasant food and drink.

3. Queue up
Queuing is a glorious British tradition. I have friends who enjoy the Wimbledon Queue more than the tennis itself. They do it every single year. They make lifelong friends, share food and drink and war stories, and often spend day several days and nights queuing. If you have the time and the inclination, you can get in this way. There are only a handful available each day for the show courts. Be prepared to invest in sleeping bags, camping equipment, sun hats and warm clothes. Enjoy!

4. Buy from a Tout
Touts are not allowed to ply their trade close to the grounds of the Club. They get arrested or moved on by the police. They are to be found near the Underground stations. What they offer is very expensive and very risky. There is a chance that the tickets are not valid or not what they say they are. Be VERY careful. It’s generally a bad idea.

So there it is. If there are any other ways you know of getting Wimbledon tickets, please tell us, or you may prefer to keep the knowledge to yourself. Is it worth it? Of course it is. See you in June!