How Does the Wimbledon Public Ballot Work?

The Wimbledon Public Ballot gives applicants the chance to buy tickets directly from the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC). Entry is free, but successful applicants must pay for the tickets they are offered.

First introduced in 1924, the ballot allocates tickets through a random selection process. You cannot choose a particular day, court or seat, so it suits visitors who can be flexible about their attendance.

This guide explains the application process, how ticket offers work and your options if you miss out.

Is the Wimbledon 2027 Public Ballot Still Open?

No. Applications for the Wimbledon Public Ballot for The Championships 2027 have closed.

Wimbledon published the following application and notification timetable:

If you applied, check your email regularly, including your spam and junk folders. Wimbledon sends successful applicants their ticket offer and payment instructions by email.

For current announcements and future application windows, check Wimbledon's official Public Ballot page.

Who Can Enter the Wimbledon Public Ballot?

Applicants must be aged 16 or over. Both UK and overseas residents can apply through the same Public Ballot process.

Only one application per household is permitted, for up to two tickets. Use your permanent residential address rather than a holiday home, business address or temporary student accommodation.

If you live in a permanent houseshare, are a student or serve in the Armed Forces, Wimbledon asks you to contact its ticketing team about the household requirements. See its guidance on applications per household.

How Do I Apply for the Wimbledon Public Ballot?

Applications are made online during the published entry window. Although the 2027 window has closed, the distinction between creating an account and submitting an application is important for future ballots.

1. Create or sign in to your myWimbledon account. Check that your personal and contact details are correct.
2. Follow the official ballot application instructions. Submit your application while the entry window is open.
3. Keep your email preferences up to date. Select the option for Championships tickets, including the Wimbledon Public Ballot, to receive ticketing updates.

Creating a myWimbledon account or subscribing to ticket emails does not automatically enter you into the ballot. You must complete the application process.

How Are Ballot Tickets Allocated?

Successful applicants and their allocated day, court and seat location are selected through an automated random process. Entering the ballot gives you a place in the draw, not a guaranteed ticket.

You cannot request a particular match, court, date or seating position. If you receive an offer, you can accept and pay for it or decline it. You cannot swap it for a different court, day or year.

Wimbledon does not give preferential treatment to applicants who have entered unsuccessfully in previous years.

Will Two Tickets Be for Seats Together?

Not necessarily. Some offers are for two separate seats rather than an adjacent pair.

Wimbledon states that the offer email will identify when the seats are not together. Check the seat details before paying, particularly if you are attending with a child or someone who needs your assistance.

If you decline an offer because the seats are unsuitable, Wimbledon does not offer an alternative allocation.

Can I Buy Just One Ticket?

If you are offered two tickets but only want one, contact Wimbledon's ticketing team before making payment and ask for the offer to be amended.

Quote the order number shown in your ticket offer. Do not buy both tickets on the assumption that you can sell the spare one.

What Are the Chances of Success in the Public Ballot?

Wimbledon describes the ballot as oversubscribed. There is no guarantee that an application will result in a ticket offer.

The official ballot guidance does not give an overall success percentage, so an estimate such as 'one in ten' should not be treated as a reliable measure of your chances.

Submit only the permitted application and consider other ticket routes if your plans depend on attending a particular day.

How Much Do Wimbledon Public Ballot Tickets Cost?

There is no charge to enter the Public Ballot. If you are successful, you are offered the opportunity to buy tickets at Wimbledon's published prices.

The amount depends on the court, day and seating category. Your offer will show the tickets and price before you decide whether to pay.

Check Wimbledon's official ticket prices rather than relying on a price range from a previous Championships.

What Happens When I Receive a Ticket Offer?

Read the offer carefully and check the attendance date, court, seat locations, total cost and payment deadline.

Only the original applicant can purchase the tickets offered. Follow the payment instructions supplied by Wimbledon and complete payment before the deadline.

Do not assume that receiving an offer means the tickets are secured without payment.

What if I Decline the Offer or Miss the Payment Deadline?

Successful applicants receive only one offer through the Public Ballot. If you decline it, you cannot later reclaim that offer or purchase further tickets through the Public Ballot for that Championships.

Wimbledon also states that it cannot accept late payments. Do not let the payment deadline pass while waiting for a different offer.

Can I Sell or Transfer My Ballot Tickets?

Public Ballot tickets cannot be sold or advertised for sale. They do not have the same resale permissions as Wimbledon debenture tickets.

A permitted transfer of a guest ticket through myWimbledon is different from reselling your allocation. Follow Wimbledon's ticket terms for who may use the tickets and how guest transfers work.

Do not assume that being able to transfer a ticket in the app means you are allowed to sell it.

What if I Have Paid but Can No Longer Attend?

Use Wimbledon's refund process rather than arranging a private sale.

Wimbledon's published policy allows refunds when tickets are returned at least 24 hours before the day of play, subject to its conditions. Refund requests are made through the ticketing account used for the purchase.

If you request a refund for ballot tickets, you will not be able to purchase further tickets through the ballot for that Championships.

Check Wimbledon's current refund instructions before making a request.

What Happens if I Am Unsuccessful?

Wimbledon's published arrangements give unsuccessful Public Ballot applicants access to its official returns shop. This provides another opportunity to buy available tickets before attending.

Follow the instructions sent by Wimbledon. Access to the returns shop does not guarantee that tickets will be available for the court or date you want.

Do not assume that declining a ballot offer makes you an unsuccessful applicant eligible for another opportunity. The rules for declining an offer are different.

The online returns shop is also separate from the Ticket Resale service inside the Wimbledon Grounds.

Is There a Separate Ballot for Overseas Visitors?

No. Overseas visitors use the same Public Ballot application process as UK residents, with the same application window.

Bear in mind that the ballot does not let you choose your attendance date. If your travel plans are fixed, check whether an offered date works for you before accepting and paying.

How Does the Ballot Work for Wheelchair Users?

Wimbledon has a Wheelchair Ballot for applicants who need a wheelchair space or intend to attend with a guest who needs one. When applying, select the wheelchair option so your application reflects the seating required.

The 2027 Wheelchair Ballot application window also closed on 14 September 2026. See Wimbledon's Wheelchair Ballot guidance for the current arrangements.

If you do not use a wheelchair but need accessible seating for medical reasons, follow Wimbledon's accessible-seating instructions. Do not assume that a randomly allocated seat will meet your requirements.

Can I Enter Both the Public Ballot and an LTA Ballot?

Yes, provided you meet the relevant eligibility requirements and apply within each entry window. The Wimbledon Public Ballot and the Lawn Tennis Association's ballots are separate processes.

Entering one does not automatically enter you into the other. Check the LTA's Wimbledon ballot guidance for its membership and application requirements.

How Will I Receive My Ballot Tickets?

Follow the ticket-delivery and acceptance emails sent by Wimbledon. Mobile tickets are accessed through the Official Wimbledon App using your myWimbledon account.

Our guide to Wimbledon mobile tickets and the myWimbledon app explains how to accept tickets, transfer a permitted guest ticket and prepare for entry.

What if I Missed the Ballot or Need a Particular Day?

The Public Ballot is not the only way to attend Wimbledon. Our guide to getting Wimbledon tickets compares the other routes without requiring you to enter the ballot.

If you need to choose a particular court and day, you can compare available Centre Court and No.1 Court debenture tickets. These are separate from Public Ballot tickets and are subject to availability.

Ready to find your seats?

Browse Wimbledon debenture tickets by court and day, then buy instantly or make an offer to a verified debenture holder. Once the AELTC confirms seat allocations, you can also compare exact seat locations.

View Debenture Tickets

Need Help?

Visit our FAQs or contact us.