Grand Slams
Wimbledon: the Grand Slam overview
Wimbledon is the oldest tournament in tennis and the only Grand Slam played on grass. Steeped in tradition — the all-white dress code, the strawberries, the immaculate lawns of the All England Club in south-west London — it’s also the major with the most distinctive ticketing. This page is the overview; our dedicated Wimbledon section goes deeper on every route in.
Wimbledon in the Grand Slam picture
Among the four majors, Wimbledon is usually held in the second half of June into mid-July, slotting in after the French Open. It’s the grass-court Slam, which makes for fast, low-bouncing tennis and short, sharp points — a contrast to the long clay rallies of Roland-Garros a few weeks earlier. The main show courts have roofs, so the headline matches can carry on through London’s changeable weather. Exact dates move each year, so check the official site.
Go deeper into Wimbledon
Wimbledon has more ways in than any other Slam — here are the main ones.
The Public Ballot
The official lottery for Wimbledon tickets, and the fairest way to apply for a seat in advance.
How the Ballot worksThe Queue
The famous on-the-day queue — turn up, line up, and earn your way in. A Wimbledon institution.
How to do the QueueDebentures
The premium, long-term tickets — and the only Wimbledon seats you can legitimately resell.
Understand debenturesWhat makes Wimbledon unique
- The only Grand Slam still played on grass, giving it the fastest surface of the four.
- A strict all-white dress code for players — a tradition no other major enforces.
- The Queue, where ordinary fans can earn same-day tickets, including for the show courts.
- Debentures, the one category of Wimbledon ticket that can legally be resold.
Show courts and grounds
As with the other majors, Wimbledon offers reserved seats on its main show courts and grounds passes for the outside courts. The grounds pass is the value option, letting you watch early-round matches and practice on the smaller courts and soak up the atmosphere. The show-court seats — particularly for the second week and the finals — are the hardest to come by, which is exactly why the Ballot, the Queue and debentures all matter so much here.