Wimbledon: Why are there empty seats and can you still buy tickets?

Wimbledon is officially underway, as familar faces including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Venus Williams take to the courts on Day One.

But as matches begin, it’s common for viewers to be dismayed by the number of empty seats in the stands, given that the Championships is always sold out.

Last year saw the All England Club receiving complaints about empty seats on the show courts – including Centre Court – especially when thousands of people have queued for hours just to get inside the grounds.

So why are there often so many empty seats and can you still get tickets?

Let’s find out.

Why are there empty seats at Wimbledon?

Many of the empty seats have been around the Royal Box, which is usually reserved for corporate attendees or members of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Gaps have also been linked to corporate hospitality, with some visitors spending more time in the club’s famous bars and restaurants than watching the tennis.

Anyone with a full-price ticket has access to the same seat all day, so after a long match it’s common for many people to leave for a comfort break and food, which can lead to empty seats at the start of the next match.

Fans will be hoping that last year’s technical issue, which affected the resale of show court tickets inside the grounds for the first two days, won’t be repeated. Those with tickets can donate them for resale if they leave before the end of the day, with proceeds going to charity.

Are there tickets to Wimbledon still available?

While all the Public Ballot tickets have been allocated, it’s still possible to queue on the day.

Thousands of Ground Passes are up for grabs each day, priced at £27 (reduced prices from day nine onwards), plus 500 ‘premium seats’ on Centre Court, Court No 1 and Court No 2.

The Grounds Passes enable you to access all outside courts including No.3 Court, Court 12 and Court 18, as well as The Hill, where action is shown on a big screen from Centre and No.1 Courts.

To be sure of getting in, it’s best to join the queue by 9am at the absolute latest (much earlier or overnight if you’re hoping for a show court ticket), and do be prepared to be in it for several hours. You’ll be given a ticket with a number so you can pop to the portaloos if needed.

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