Wimbledon 2026 offers budget-friendly access to top tennis if you know the tricks. Evening grounds passes from 5pm cost around £20, and ticket resale booths offer Centre Court seats for £15. David Cohen, a tennis enthusiast and Investigations Editor, shares his insider strategies for enjoying the tournament without long waits or high costs.
Evening Entry: Skip the Long Queues
The main queue for morning grounds passes can take up to five hours. However, arriving after 4pm typically results in a wait of less than an hour. From 5pm, grounds passes drop to about £20. This works even if capacity is reached earlier, as spectators leave and others are let in on a one-out, one-in basis. Cohen notes he has never been turned away using this method, especially during the first week when outside court action is plentiful until late evening.
Ticket Resale and Show Court Access
Grounds passes grant entry to 12 outside courts and unreserved seats on courts 3, 12, and 18. For show courts, the official ticket resale booth behind Court 18 offers Centre Court returns for £15 and Courts 1 or 2 for £10. Alternatively, after 7pm, stewards often allow grounds pass holders into Centre Court and Court 1 at their discretion. One steward told Cohen: “How do you get into Centre Court? All you have to do is ask! It’s totally discretionary but many punters will have gone home by this point and none of the stars want to play to a half empty arena.” If one steward refuses, trying another gate may succeed.
Rain as an Advantage
Rain early in the afternoon delays play, ensuring a packed schedule on outside courts until dusk. This extends the value of a cheap grounds pass, allowing hours of tennis followed by potential show court access. Cohen recommends this strategy for maximizing the experience on a budget.
Costs and Atmosphere
Strawberries and cream cost £2.85, only 15p more than in 2025. Cohen describes the early evening atmosphere on outer courts as “chilled and raucous,” with fans cheering enthusiastically. He recalls watching a little-known Roger Federer in 2001 on an outside court, highlighting the chance to see future stars up close.
