What should I take with me to the Wimbledon Tournament?

The Wimbledon Championships are the ultimate experience for any tennis fan. In all the excitement, it can be easy to forget to take something vital you might need on the day.

Here’s a quick checklist of everything you might need with you to enjoy an unforgettable day of tennis.

Get weather-ready for Wimbledon

If you are planning to queue for tickets you need to be well-prepared. Wimbledon can produce all four seasons’ worth of weather across the fortnight, or sometimes in one day, so planning ahead is key.

Sun (and rain) protection

Sun cream, sunhats, sunglasses and a handheld fan are hopefully all you will need to protect you from the elements. Even if the forecast is good, taking a poncho or other packable waterproof, a retractable umbrella and something warm, is a good idea in case the weather turns.

If the weather is likely to be poor, you could also bring a lightweight towel to dry yourself off. Only Centre Court and No. 1 Court have roofs, and you will still be doing a lot of walking outdoors on the day.

Read more: What happens when it rains at the Wimbledon Championships?

See also: Wimbledon Championships 2022: Which day is rain most likely?

Clothing

Several thin layers of clothing (including a waterproof layer) will give you the most flexibility. You’ll be able to adapt to Wimbledon’s famously changeable weather, without being weighed down by extra baggage. There is a left luggage service at Wimbledon, but queues can be lengthy at times.

Footwear

The Wimbledon Grounds are huge. Although you will be sitting for a large part of the day, first-time attendees are often surprised by the distance they have to walk over the course of the day.

Sacrificing style on the big day might be unthinkable, but Wimbledon isn’t the place to break in a new pair of shoes. Bring sensible, comfortable footwear.

While you might not explore all 42 acres of the grounds, the back and forth of the day could mean blisters in the wrong footwear.

Camping out

If you are planning to camp out in the Wimbledon Queue, there are many more things to consider:

Tent and sleeping equipment

Wimbledon rules state that you cannot pitch anything larger than a two-person tent. Although you will be pitching your tent on grass, this can be unforgiving in the Summer months, so you will need an inflatable mattress or foam camping mat and sleeping bag.

Don’t forget a towel, toothbrush, wet wipes and any other essential toiletries. There will be portable toilets and sinks available, but no showers. Local gyms often offer a day pass to weary Wimbledon fans in need of a shower, but be prepared for more queuing.

Some fans camp out for multiple nights. If you intend to camp for more than one night, consider a picnic blanket and a fold-up or inflatable chair as you will be sitting around outside your tent during the day.

You will need a lantern and/or a torch as there is minimal lighting around the Wimbledon grounds at night.

If you are a light sleeper or are likely to be kept awake by the snoring of a thousand tennis fans, pack some earplugs.

A Camera or Camera Phone

You’ll want to capture memories of the day and, depending on your seat, a camera phone or a camera with a good lens could get you some amazing close-up shots of the action. Zoom lenses over 300mm, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not allowed.

Flash photography is prohibited as it is off-putting for players.

Food and drink

There are plenty of food and beverage options at Wimbledon, and certainly no shortage of strawberries and cream, and Pimm's.

There are numerous water refill points, so you do not need to bring multiple bottles of water.

You can take your own food and drink into the grounds, although certain rules apply:

Food

You can take a small picnic, but it will need to fit into your bag allowance. Flasks over 500ml are not allowed.

Alcohol

You can take alcohol into the grounds with you but this is subject to the following per-person allowance:

• 1 bottle of wine or Champagne (750ml) or
• 2 cans of beer (500ml) or
• 2 cans of premixed aperitifs

Bottles of spirits or fortified wines are prohibited.

Medication

Don’t forget to pack any regular medication you’ll need to take during the day, such as antihistamine tablets if you suffer from hay fever. Consider packing Paracetamol or Aspirin, so your day isn't ruined by an unexpected headache.

A debit or credit card

Note that the food and drink kiosks at Wimbledon now accept only cards for payment. It is probably a good idea to have a spare card, kept apart from your primary card in case you lose one.

See also: Is cash accepted at the Wimbledon Championships?

A fully-charged smartphone and accessories

Remember to charge your phone the night before, and consider packing a solar phone charger, portable power bank charger,  or spare battery. If your phone’s battery isn’t likely to last the day, you should also consider taking printed copies of schedules and a map of the grounds.

Bring headphones or earbuds to listen into commentary or scores from other courts when there is a lull on yours. Bluetooth speakers may not be permitted.

The myWimbledon app

From 2021, you will need an e-ticket to enter the Wimbledon Grounds. You will need to download the myWimbledon App to be able to display your ticket at the gates. Wimbledon state that they won't accept paper copies of tickets. However, we recommend that you take a printed copy in case you lose your mobile phone. At least you will have some evidence to present to then Wimbledon Stewards.

The myWimbledon app is also useful for visitors to the grounds generally. It displays real time scores and has a map of the grounds.

A good bag

Given all the clothing and other gear you’re planning to take with you to Wimbledon, a good-sized bag is essential. Hard-sided containers like cool boxes and hampers are not allowed, and bags cannot exceed 40cm x 30cm x 30cm (16" x 12" x 12").

Wimbledon weather can be unpredictable, but if you're taking chilled foods, you can pack everything in a soft-sided freezer bag.

Things you can’t take to Wimbledon

One easy rule to fall foul of at Wimbledon is the ban on sharp knives and corkscrews, so plan your picnic accordingly. Also on the prohibited list are large bags, picnic hampers and cool boxes.

Political slogans on clothing, no matter how fashionable, are also banned, as are selfie-sticks and professional camera lenses over 300mm.

Wimbledon also has general discretion to ban any other item that may 'pose a hazard to the safe delivery of The Championships'.

Check for updates before you go

Even if COVID rules have been fully relaxed long before the Championships start, you should check the Wimbledon website for updated guidelines before you go.

Wimbledon’s rules regarding food, alcohol, bags and other restrictions are unlikely to change at the last minute, but you still don’t want to be caught out as you enter the grounds.

TLDR checklist of items to take with you to Wimbledon:

• Sun cream
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Handheld fan
• Poncho or packable waterproof
• Umbrella
• Several thin layers of clothing
• Warm layer of clothing
• Lightweight towel
• Sensible footwear
• Camera phone or camera
• Food
• Drink
• Medication
• A spare credit or debit card
• Printed copy of the schedule and map
• Printed copy of your tickets
• Headphones or earbuds
• myWimbledon app
• A good-sized bag
• Facemask (if required)

If camping:

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Inflatable mattress or foam mat
• Towel
• Toothbrush
• Wet wipes
• Toiletries
• Picnic blanket
• Fold-up or inflatable chair
• Lantern and/or torch
• Solar phone charger
• Earplugs

Secure your place at the 2023 Championships now

We currently have Wimbledon Debenture Tickets available to buy for Centre Court and No.1 Court, for every day of the 2023 Championships.

To get the ball rolling:

• Email: service@greenandpurple.com or
• Complete our: online call-back form.