How to see Wimbledon Morning Matches Before Main Court Play

If you have a debenture ticket for Centre Court or No.1 Court, you can make more of your day by arriving early and watching matches elsewhere around the Grounds before play begins on your main court.

The Grounds open before the show courts start, and several other courts offer unreserved seating. That means you may be able to watch live tennis in the morning and still return in good time for your reserved seat later in the day.

When does play start at Wimbledon?

The Grounds open daily at 10am. Play on the outside courts usually starts at 11am. Centre Court usually starts at 1.30pm during most of The Championships, while No.1 Court usually starts at 1pm. The final Order of Play for the following day is confirmed by the AELTC the evening before.

That gives many Centre Court and No.1 Court ticket holders a useful window in the morning to watch matches elsewhere before heading to their reserved seat.

What does a Wimbledon debenture ticket include?

Debenture tickets are valid for the court and date shown, and entitle the ticket holder to entry to that court and a reserved seat on that court.

You may also watch matches on other courts around the Grounds with unreserved seating. Please note that Centre Court, No.1 Court and No.2 Court have reserved seating. Unreserved seating is available on No.3 Court, Court 12, Court 18, and Courts 4 to 11 and 14 to 17.

This is one of the advantages of having a show court ticket. You have the certainty of a reserved seat on your main court, while still being able to enjoy matches elsewhere around the Grounds earlier in the day.

Which courts are best for morning play?

No.3 Court, Court 12 and Court 18 are often the most sought-after unreserved courts, as they tend to host some of the higher-profile matches outside the main show courts. Courts 4 to 11 and 14 to 17 can also be a good way to see live tennis up close, especially during the first week when there is more singles action across the Grounds.

If you want the best chance of finding a good spot, it helps to arrive early. Seating on unreserved courts is generally available on a first come, first served basis.

Can I go to the outside courts before taking my seat?

Yes. You do not need to go straight to your reserved seat when you arrive. You are free to spend part of the morning on the unreserved courts and then make your way to Centre Court or No.1 Court later.

If you arrive after play has started on your main court, you may need to wait for a suitable break in play before being shown to your seat.

Which days are best for seeing strong morning matches?

The first few days of Wimbledon are often the best time to watch strong morning tennis on the unreserved courts before play starts on the show courts. In the opening rounds, singles matches are spread more widely around the Grounds, so there is often more top-level action available outside Centre Court and No.1 Court.

Later in the tournament, there is still tennis to watch around the Grounds, but the mix of matches changes and there are usually fewer singles matches on the unreserved courts.

Can I watch play on the big screen instead?

Yes. Another option is to spend time on the Hill and watch the big screen before heading to your reserved seat. This can be especially convenient if you have No.1 Court tickets, as the Hill is nearby.

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