How to Plan Your Stay & Choose Matches at Wimbledon

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament and by far the most famous tennis match worldwide. For some, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness some of the greatest tennis players in action while being immersed in the prestigious Wimbledon atmosphere. From world-class athletic skills to tasty strawberries and cream, an experience at Wimbledon will last a lifetime and be talked about for years to come.

If you are a first-timer planning a trip to this famous and sophisticated, first off, congratulations! Get ready for an incredible experience and an event that is guaranteed to exceed your expectations. You most likely have a lot of questions about how to plan the trip itself, where to stay, and how to arrange and decide which matches to observe. Thankfully, we have the knowledge to make sure you have a fantastic experience and make the most of your time at Wimbledon. Keep reading to find out how to plan your stay and how to choose matches at Wimbledon.

Using a travel advisor to help you plan your experience at Wimbledon is one of the best options, especially if it’s your first time. Travel agents often have earlier access, discounted rates, and packages that can manage the entire experience, from matches to accommodations, tours, and more. Since match tickets and accommodation reservations are 2 of the hardest things to come by during Wimbledon in London, a travel advisor can take care of all of these things for you, eliminating stress and worry before the trip even begins. If you are lucky, many agents will join in on the experience, offer their expertise, and tips, and have connections to other exciting things in the Wimbledon area that only their clients can take part in.

Accommodation is essential when going to Wimbledon. Not only do you want a hotel that is luxurious and fits in with the atmospheric experience of Wimbledon, but you also want a hotel that is nearby to the stadium with easy access to and from. Transportation during the tournament is insane, and can take up a lot of your time; staying nearby eliminates those headaches, and allows more time to enjoy Wimbledon itself. Be sure to book as far in advance as possible, as accommodation options sell out extremely fast during the tournament. Some of the best hotel options in the area are:

• The Ritz Carlton London
• Corinthia Hotel London
• Park Plaza Westminister Bridge
• The Dog & Fox 
• Hotel du Vin 

Choosing matches at Wimbledon is one of the most exciting, but tricky aspects of going to Wimbledon. If you are using a travel advisor, it’s likely your agent will take care of all of this for you. However, if you are booking the Wimbledon experience on your own, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing matches.

See a mixture of matches on Centre Court and Court 1 

Centre Court at Wimbledon is undoubtedly one of the most iconic tennis courts in the world. It dates back to 1922 and has been the main court for the tournament ever since the beginning. You definitely want to see a match or two that is played on this infamous court. It can hold more than 14,000 spectators and has recently added a roof for element protection.

Court 1 is the next step down from Centre Court, with just as must excitement and experience. While it’s a slight bit smaller, without element protection, it’s a chance to see some of the most infamous players and best matches of the tournament.

You will need entry tickets for both Centre Court and Court 1 and is best to have a mixture of both. Centre seats sell out extremely fast and hold a lot of spectators. While it’s definitely a high-class experience in Centre Court, Court 1 may offer better seats or viewing purposes, depending on availability.

See multiple matches during your trip; 1 per day

Wimbledon lasts for 14 days, typically in June. It hosts multiple matches on various different courts each day as the tournament goes on, weeding out players until the final few matches. To have the best experience at Wimbledon, it’s advised to see multiple matches during your trip, on average about 1 a day. Depending on the players, 1 match can last a good while, and can definitely fill up a morning or afternoon of excitement and sophistication. Overloading with multiple matches can risk missing a later day match due to a lengthy first match in the morning, or deprive you of energy and be a down cause of the rest of your experience.

Space out the matches throughout the trip

When you are planning your Wimbledon experience, it’s likely you will be in the London area for multiple days, or even up to 2 weeks. While the tournament is definitely the biggest draw to the area, there are dozens of other things to see and do around Wimbledon. When choosing your matches, space them out at different times throughout your trip. Leave room for sightseeing, relaxing, and celebrating, but always have something else to look forward to the next day. Spreading matches out not only gives you a stress-free and ideal Wimbledon experience but allows extra time for exploring London and immersing in the high-class British atmosphere; which is part of what Wimbledon is all about.