A Wimbledon attendee has sparked widespread discussion after sharing the cost of an Evian water bottle at the tournament, which includes unlimited refills for the day. The post, shared on X, has garnered over 1 million views, with opinions divided on whether the £5 price tag is reasonable or excessive.
Fan's Discovery Goes Viral
The fan queued for a bottle of Evian and discovered the refill feature, prompting him to post: "Cool feature at Wimbledon: £5 for an Evian bottled water that they will keep refilling for you (with Evian) for free all day (or the next day or next year)."
Reactions varied widely. One commenter said: "Should be free, especially in this heat." Another joked: "Cool. And it's only £5,000,000 for a bowl of strawberries and cream." A third quipped: "Cool feature, buy the bottle at Asda for £1 and take it in." However, some defended the scheme, with one user writing: "Pretty good deal considering UK prices," and another adding: "Actually this is the best ever for a water company!"
Evian's Partnership with Wimbledon
Evian has been the Official Water of The Championships since 2008, with a partnership extending through at least 2027. The agreement includes on-court and grounds hydration for players and spectators, as well as a sustainability programme featuring reusable bottle systems and refill stations.
Spectators can purchase an exclusive reusable Evian bottle for £5, which allows unlimited refills of chilled Evian natural mineral water from designated stations across the grounds. A stainless steel reusable bottle is also available for £25. Players benefit from a specialised on-court refillable water system, first trialled and launched in 2023.
Context of Rising Costs at Wimbledon
The water price debate follows recent astonishment over the cost of strawberries and cream at the tournament. With temperatures forecast to exceed 25°C, staying hydrated is crucial. Many attendees bring reusable bottles, while others opt to buy drinks on site. The Evian refill system, introduced in 2024, aims to reduce single-use plastic waste.
According to the fan's post, the refill offer extends to the next day or even the next year, adding to the perceived value for some. However, critics argue that water should be freely available, especially in hot weather.
