Wimbledon
The Wimbledon Public Ballot explained
The Public Ballot is Wimbledon's official lottery, and for most fans it is the fairest and most affordable way to secure a seat at The Championships. You register your interest, your name goes into a draw run by the AELTC, and a random selection of applicants is offered the chance to buy a pair of tickets at face value. You can't choose your court or your day — that's the trade-off — but you also don't pay over the odds. Here's exactly how it works and how to give yourself the best shot.
What the Public Ballot is
The Public Ballot is run by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and is the long-standing, official way for members of the public to be allocated Championships tickets. Rather than first-come-first-served — which would reward fast broadband over genuine fans — Wimbledon draws names at random. Successful applicants are offered tickets for a specific court on a specific day, at the official face-value price. It is deliberately egalitarian: a student has the same odds as a millionaire.
How to enter the Ballot
- 1
Register on the official site
Create or update your account in the myWimbledon area of the official AELTC website. Registration is the gateway to the Ballot, so make sure your details are correct.
- 2
Apply during the entry window
The Ballot opens for a limited period — typically many months before the tournament. You submit a single application; you cannot improve your odds by applying more than once.
- 3
State your preferences (where offered)
Depending on the year, you may be able to indicate broad preferences, but allocation is ultimately random — you take the court and date you're offered.
- 4
Wait for the draw
After the window closes, the AELTC runs the draw and notifies applicants. If you're successful, you'll be invited to pay for the tickets you've been allocated.
- 5
Pay promptly to confirm
Offers come with a deadline. If you don't complete payment in time, the tickets are released, so watch your inbox and act quickly.
What are your odds?
Honestly: not high. Demand vastly outstrips the number of tickets distributed through the Ballot, so being unsuccessful is the norm rather than bad luck. The AELTC does not publish guaranteed odds, and they shift from year to year with demand. Treat the Ballot as a hopeful long shot rather than a plan you can rely on — which is exactly why it's wise to have the Queue or another route as a back-up.
Ballot vs other routes
| Route | Cost | Choose court/day? | Certainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Ballot | Face value (low) | No | Low — random draw |
| The Queue | Face value (low) | Limited | Medium — rewards early arrival |
| Debentures | High | Yes (best seats) | High |
| Official hospitality | High | Yes | High |
Prices and availability vary each year — always confirm on the official AELTC site.
Good to know before you apply
- You'll typically be offered a pair of tickets, not single seats — ideal for going with someone, less so if you want to go solo.
- Tickets allocated through the Ballot are non-transferable; they're for you and your guest, not for resale.
- You don't get to pick the marquee matches — your day and court are assigned, so any session is potentially on the cards.
- Being unsuccessful one year has no bearing on future years; each draw is independent.