Tickets
When tennis tickets go on sale
Timing is half the battle with tennis tickets. The best sessions can sell out within minutes of opening, and ballots close months before a ball is hit. The exact dates shift every year, so rather than quote a calendar that will quickly be wrong, this guide explains the predictable rhythm each event follows — and how to make sure you are ready when your window opens.
Why there is no single on-sale date
Tennis has no league-wide schedule. Each tournament sets its own dates and announces them year by year, and most release tickets in several waves rather than all at once. A Grand Slam might open a ballot in the summer, give members a presale in the winter, and hold a public general sale in the spring — all for the same event. The takeaway is simple: never assume one date covers everything, and always confirm the current schedule on the official site.
The typical sequence of release windows
Although the calendar moves, the order of events is remarkably consistent. Tickets usually become available in roughly this sequence, from earliest to latest.
How tickets are released, in order
- 1
Ballot registration (earliest)
For ballot events like Wimbledon, registration can open many months — sometimes the better part of a year — before the tournament. This is the first thing to act on.
- 2
Member and presale windows
Members, registered fans, sponsors and partner card-holders often get an early buying window before the public, typically in the months leading up to the event.
- 3
General public sale
The main release for everyone else, usually a few months out. Popular sessions can sell out fast, so this is the moment to be ready and prompt.
- 4
Returns and official resale (latest)
Closer to and during the tournament, returned tickets may reappear through the official resale platform — a genuine last chance for sold-out sessions.
How the rhythm differs by event type
| Event type | Typical lead time | How to stay ready |
|---|---|---|
| Ballot Slams (e.g. Wimbledon) | Register many months ahead | Watch for the registration window, not the sale |
| Other Grand Slams | General sale a few months ahead | Create an account; check the official site for dates |
| Major tour events | Varies; often a few months out | Join the mailing list for the on-sale announcement |
| Smaller tournaments | Often available closer to the date | Less rush, but confirm before travelling |
Lead times are general patterns, not fixed dates — every tournament publishes its own schedule each year.
A note on the off-season
It can feel strange to think about tickets months before a tournament, but that is exactly when the most important windows open. Ballot registration and member presales happen well outside the event itself. If you wait until the tournament is in the news, you have usually missed the calmest and cheapest routes — and you are left competing for whatever general sale or resale remains.