Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 2012

The world of tennis descends on Wimbledon in South West London every summer for two weeks of tennis, strawberries and cream, and good-natured queuing.

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships

Wimbledon is one of four annual Grand Slam tennis tournaments held around the world. 

It's the world's longest-running and most prestigious tennis tournament. Games are still played on the original playing surface, grass, and there's a strict white-only dress code for players.

The tournament attracts around 500,000 spectators and millions of television viewers worldwide.

Wimbledon Tickets: In Advance

Advance tickets for Wimbledon are allocated via a public ballot, which was first introduced in 1924.

The ballot is always oversubscribed, so entry does not entitle you to tickets. Successful applicants are selected at random by computer. It is not possible to request tickets for specific days or courts.

Application forms for the 2012 ballot are available until 15 December 2011. The closing date for applications is 31 December 2011. Find out more at www.wimbledon.com.

Wimbledon Tickets: On the Day

Almost uniquely for a major sporting event, Wimbledon offers spectators the chance to buy premium tickets on the day – but be prepared to queue!

During the tournament, 500 tickets are available on days one to nine for Centre Court and No.2 Court. Approximately 500 tickets are available on all 13 Days for No.1 Court. You should expect to queue overnight for a chance to buy one of these tickets.

Several thousand ground admission tickets are also available each day. These give you the chance to watch games from the No.2 Court standing enclosure and from unreserved seating and standing on the outside courts, and on the big screen at Henman Hill.

Once ground capacity has been reached, queuers are admitted on a one-out, one-in basis.

Wimbledon Match Schedule

During the first week, the early rounds of the Singles and Doubles matches are played, with the top seeds playing on Centre Court and Courts 1 and 2.

The Ladies' and Men's Singles Finals take place over the final weekend of the Championships.

History of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships

The Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon have developed from the first meeting in 1877, witnessed by a few spectators, to a highly professional tournament attracting an attendance of close to 500,000 people.

Players from more than 60 nations compete in front of a crowd of millions worldwide, through the press, radio, internet and television.

Strawberries and Cream: Wimbledon's Winning Formula

Strawberries and cream are traditionally eaten at Wimbledon, accompanied by a cool glass of Pimm's. 

Approximately 27,000 kilos of strawberries are sold each year during the Championships.