Wimbledon No.1 Court tickets can offer one of the best balances between price, atmosphere and high-level tennis at The Championships. No.1 Court is Wimbledon’s second-largest show court, but calling it simply the “second court” misses what makes it attractive: it regularly hosts major singles matches, has its own reserved seating, and can cost substantially less than Centre Court on the same stage of the tournament.
For fans who want a proper Wimbledon stadium experience without automatically paying Centre Court prices, No.1 Court deserves serious consideration.
The key is knowing which day to target, which seating band offers the best value, how the price changes during the fortnight, and which ticket route gives you the best chance of getting in.
Why No.1 Court Is One of Wimbledon’s Most Interesting Tickets
There is a temptation to divide Wimbledon tickets into two categories:
Centre Court = premium
Everything else = secondary
That is far too simplistic.
No.1 Court is a major tournament venue in its own right. It has a capacity of more than 12,000 spectators and features a retractable roof, meaning it remains an important show-court venue even when London’s weather becomes typically unpredictable.
More importantly, No.1 Court is where many top players appear during the Championships.
A No.1 Court ticket can therefore give you something very close to the classic Wimbledon experience while leaving more room in your budget for travel, accommodation, food or another day at the tournament.
And for some fans, that makes it the smarter ticket.
Wimbledon No.1 Court Ticket Prices
Wimbledon uses tiered pricing on No.1 Court.
For 2026, the standard public seating was divided into three groups:
- Rows A–Q
- Rows R–W
- Rows X–ZC
The closer seating groups carry the higher prices, while the further seating groups cost less.
Importantly, Wimbledon states that these seating bands do not represent restricted-view seats. The court is designed so that all of these standard seating categories provide a full view of the playing area.
For the 2026 Championships, the published public prices were:
| Tournament days | Rows A–Q | Rows R–W | Rows X–ZC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | £100 | £90 | £70 |
| Days 3–4 | £125 | £110 | £90 |
| Days 5–6 | £160 | £145 | £115 |
| Days 7–8 | £200 | £170 | £140 |
| Days 9–10 | £235 | £210 | £170 |
| Days 11–12 | £110 | £100 | £70 |
| Days 13–14 | £65 | £55 | £40 |
These 2026 prices demonstrate one of the most unusual things about Wimbledon ticket pricing: No.1 Court becomes more expensive as the tournament progresses toward the quarterfinal stage, then becomes dramatically cheaper during the final weekend because No.1 Court is no longer hosting the main singles matches that dominate the earlier rounds.
That creates some fascinating opportunities for fans who care more about getting inside Wimbledon than simply chasing the biggest possible match.
What Is the Cheapest No.1 Court Ticket?
In the 2026 public price structure, the cheapest standard No.1 Court ticket was £40 in Rows X–ZC on Days 13 and 14.
But there is an important detail behind that number.
The final weekend has a very different tournament schedule from the first week. By then, the singles action has moved toward Centre Court, while No.1 Court can host other events and matches.
So you should never look at the £40 figure and assume it represents the same type of experience as a £200 No.1 Court ticket during the middle of the tournament.
The price is lower partly because the content of the court’s schedule changes.
That is one of the most important concepts to understand when comparing Wimbledon tickets.
What Is the Most Expensive No.1 Court Ticket?
For 2026, the highest standard public price was £235 for Rows A–Q on Days 9 and 10.
Those days sit around the point where the tournament reaches the quarterfinal phase and the stakes become significantly higher.
So the price curve looks roughly like this:
Early rounds → rising demand → quarterfinal period → peak No.1 Court prices → different closing-week schedule → lower prices
That is very different from Centre Court, where prices continue climbing toward the finals.
This makes No.1 Court particularly interesting for fans who want major tennis but don’t necessarily need the Centre Court final.
No.1 Court Seating Explained
Wimbledon divides No.1 Court into three pricing groups.
Rows A–Q
This is the highest-priced standard seating group.
These rows are closer to the playing area and therefore command the largest public-ticket price.
If your priority is proximity, this is the premium No.1 Court category.
But paying more does not mean you are guaranteed a better match.
The value of the session still depends heavily on the Order of Play.
Rows R–W
The middle seating band provides an interesting compromise.
You remain inside No.1 Court with a full view of the playing area, but you pay less than the closest seating group.
For many visitors, this can be the sweet spot.
You are paying for the No.1 Court experience rather than paying a premium simply to be as close as possible to the court.
Rows X–ZC
This is the lowest-priced standard seating group.
It is particularly attractive to budget-conscious fans.
If your priority is:
“I want a reserved seat inside No.1 Court at Wimbledon.”
rather than:
“I need to sit as close to the players as possible,”
this category deserves attention.
Are No.1 Court Seats Restricted View?
No.
This is an important distinction because the different price bands can make people assume that the cheaper rows must have a poor view.
Wimbledon introduced tiered pricing for Centre Court and No.1 Court based on distance from the playing area. The Club specifically states that the seats in the three No.1 Court groups have a full view of the playing area rather than being restricted-view seats.
That makes the lower-priced No.1 Court categories considerably more interesting from a value perspective.
You are paying less for distance, not for a deliberately compromised view.
Which No.1 Court Session Gives the Best Value?
This is where No.1 Court becomes more complicated — and more interesting — than a simple price comparison.
The best session depends on what you want to watch.
Early Tournament: Best for Variety
During the opening rounds, No.1 Court is packed with singles matches.
The draw is still large, meaning the court can feature several high-profile players across the day.
This is ideal if you enjoy the tournament as a whole rather than following one particular player.
You also benefit from lower prices.
For a first-time visitor, an early No.1 Court day can therefore be one of the most efficient ways to experience Wimbledon.
Middle of the Tournament: Best for Stakes
As the tournament progresses, the number of players decreases.
The matches become more important.
The pressure changes.
The atmosphere changes.
And so does the price.
The middle portion of the tournament is often the point where No.1 Court becomes most expensive because the matches can feature established contenders fighting to remain in the draw.
If your priority is quality and competitive importance, this is arguably the most interesting period.
Final Weekend: A Different Experience
The final weekend is where people can misunderstand No.1 Court pricing.
The standard price becomes much lower, but the court is no longer the main destination for the men’s and women’s singles finals.
If your dream is to watch the Wimbledon singles champions being crowned, Centre Court is the destination.
If your goal is simply to experience the Championships during finals weekend, however, a No.1 Court ticket may still be worth investigating.
The important thing is knowing what you are actually buying.
No.1 Court vs Centre Court
The obvious comparison is No.1 Court versus Centre Court.
And there is no universal winner.
Choose Centre Court if:
- you want Wimbledon’s flagship court
- you want the biggest headline matches
- you want the strongest chance of seeing the tournament’s defining singles matches
- the prestige of Centre Court matters to you
- your budget allows for it.
Choose No.1 Court if:
- you want a reserved show-court seat
- you want major singles tennis
- you want to spend less
- you enjoy discovering different players
- you want a strong Wimbledon experience without making Centre Court the entire focus.
The biggest mistake is assuming that buying No.1 Court means settling for a poor alternative.
It doesn’t.
You are choosing a different Wimbledon experience.
For a wider comparison of ticket costs across Wimbledon, see our complete guide to Wimbledon ticket prices.
No.1 Court vs Grounds Pass
The decision becomes even more interesting when you compare No.1 Court with a Grounds Pass.
A Grounds Pass gives you flexibility.
You can walk around Wimbledon, watch matches on available outside courts, experience The Hill, explore the Grounds and decide where you want to spend your time.
No.1 Court gives you certainty.
You have a reserved seat.
You know which stadium you are entering.
You can watch the matches scheduled there without worrying about finding space in an unreserved area.
So the choice is essentially:
Freedom vs certainty.
If you love wandering around and discovering tennis, Grounds access can be fantastic.
If you want to sit down and watch major matches without worrying about where you will stand or sit, No.1 Court is the stronger option.
How Do You Buy No.1 Court Tickets?
There are several ways to obtain No.1 Court tickets.
The most important routes include:
- Public Ballot
- official ticket releases
- The Queue
- official resale
- premium/hospitality channels
- legitimate ticket products associated with Wimbledon.
The route you choose can dramatically affect the price and certainty of your purchase.
No.1 Court Tickets Through the Public Ballot
The Wimbledon Public Ballot is one of the most attractive routes because it gives fans access to tickets at official public prices.
However, the ballot is not a normal ticket shop.
You do not simply open the website and choose a No.1 Court seat on a particular day.
The ballot works through an allocation process, meaning you need to understand the rules before entering.
Our dedicated guide explains the process:
Wimbledon Public Ballot: How the Ticket Ballot Works
The biggest advantage of the ballot is obvious:
you are pursuing an official ticket rather than paying an inflated premium simply because demand is high.
Can You Get No.1 Court Tickets Through The Queue?
Yes.
The Queue is one of the most distinctive ways to attend Wimbledon.
On-the-day sales can include No.1 Court tickets, subject to availability.
For 2026, No.1 Court tickets were available through the Queue throughout the tournament, unlike Centre Court, which was subject to specific availability restrictions later in the Championships.
But there is a major difference between:
“No.1 Court tickets are sold through The Queue.”
and:
“I can arrive at any time and get one.”
The second statement is not true.
Availability is limited.
Your position in the Queue matters.
And the ticket allocation can disappear before everyone waiting receives the court they want.
For the complete strategy, read:
Wimbledon Queue: How to Get Tickets on the Day
Why No.1 Court Can Be a Smart Queue Target
There is an interesting strategic advantage to No.1 Court.
Some visitors join The Queue with only one goal:
Centre Court.
If Centre Court sells out before their turn, they can feel that the entire day has been ruined.
That is the wrong mindset.
No.1 Court can be an excellent fallback.
If your primary objective is to watch high-level tennis inside a major Wimbledon stadium, accepting No.1 Court instead of Centre Court can turn a near-miss into a fantastic day.
In other words:
Do not confuse “not Centre Court” with “not worth attending.”
No.1 Court Resale Tickets
There is another route for visitors already inside Wimbledon.
Returned tickets can enter the official resale process.
For 2026, Wimbledon stated that resale tickets for Centre Court, No.1 Court and No.2 Court could be obtained through the Ticket Resale process later in the day.
This is particularly useful for visitors who enter with another ticket type and later decide they want to upgrade their day.
But resale is never something you should treat as guaranteed.
You are relying on other spectators leaving early and returning their tickets.
That means availability can change quickly.
Could a No.1 Court Resale Ticket Be Better Than Your Original Ticket?
Absolutely.
Imagine you enter Wimbledon with a Grounds Pass.
You spend the morning exploring the outside courts.
Then, later in the day, a No.1 Court ticket becomes available through official resale.
Suddenly you have an opportunity to turn a flexible Grounds day into a reserved show-court experience.
This is one of the reasons Wimbledon ticket strategy should not end at the entrance gate.
There can be multiple stages to the day.
What Matches Are Played on No.1 Court?
No.1 Court regularly hosts major matches during Wimbledon.
The exact Order of Play changes every year and every day.
During the singles tournament, it can feature leading men’s and women’s players, alongside doubles and other events depending on the stage of the Championships.
This is why buying a ticket months before the tournament does not necessarily mean knowing exactly which player you will see.
The draw must develop first.
Then the Order of Play determines the court assignments.
How to Choose a No.1 Court Day
Rather than starting with a player, start with a tournament stage.
Step 1: Decide how much you want to spend
If you want to keep the budget controlled, look toward the early rounds and lower seating band.
Step 2: Decide whether you prefer variety or importance
Early rounds offer more matches and more players.
Later rounds offer fewer matches but higher stakes.
Step 3: Check the Order of Play
Once the schedule is available, examine which matches are assigned to No.1 Court.
Step 4: Consider the rest of your Wimbledon day
A No.1 Court ticket still gives you the wider Wimbledon experience.
Do not spend the entire day staring at your seat number.
Explore the Grounds between matches.
Step 5: Have a backup
If your preferred day sells out, consider another date.
Flexibility is one of the strongest advantages a Wimbledon visitor can have.
Is No.1 Court Worth the Money?
For many fans, yes.
The real question is not:
“Is No.1 Court better than Centre Court?”
The better question is:
“What Wimbledon experience am I trying to buy?”
If the answer is:
“I want the most famous tennis court in the world.”
Centre Court wins.
If the answer is:
“I want a reserved seat, big matches and a genuine Wimbledon stadium atmosphere without paying Centre Court prices.”
No.1 Court becomes extremely attractive.
And if your answer is:
“I want to explore Wimbledon and watch as much tennis as possible.”
A Grounds Pass may make more sense.
The Best No.1 Court Seating Strategy
If you have a choice between seating bands, don’t automatically spend the maximum.
Think about what you will actually notice during the match.
The closest seats provide greater proximity.
The middle category can provide an excellent balance.
The highest rows can offer the lowest price while still providing a full view of the playing area.
For a fan who wants to maximize the amount of Wimbledon experience per pound, the lower-priced No.1 Court bands can therefore be particularly interesting.
Why the No.1 Court Price Curve Matters
One of the most useful things about No.1 Court is that its price structure tells you something about the tournament itself.
Early in the fortnight, No.1 Court is packed with singles matches.
As the tournament progresses, the demand for the biggest courts changes.
By the final weekend, the men’s and women’s singles finals are taking place on Centre Court, so No.1 Court’s role is different.
That is why No.1 Court does not simply become progressively more expensive until the end.
Its pricing reflects the tournament schedule.
This is a major difference from how many people imagine Wimbledon tickets work.
What Does a No.1 Court Ticket Give You?
A standard No.1 Court ticket is not simply permission to enter one stadium.
It is your ticket into Wimbledon for that day, with a reserved place inside No.1 Court.
That means you can combine the scheduled No.1 Court matches with the wider atmosphere of the Grounds.
You can walk around before your match.
You can leave the stadium between matches.
You can explore other areas.
You can watch activity on outside courts where access is available.
And you can return to your reserved seat for the matches scheduled on No.1 Court.
That combination is what makes a show-court ticket valuable.
No.1 Court on a Rainy Wimbledon Day
The retractable roof adds another advantage.
Wimbledon weather is famously unpredictable.
A sunny morning can become a wet afternoon.
For spectators without a reserved covered show-court seat, weather can dramatically alter the experience.
No.1 Court’s roof means scheduled play can continue under a very different set of conditions from the outdoor courts.
That does not mean every match will proceed exactly as planned — scheduling can still be affected by the wider tournament — but the roof is a major part of the court’s modern role.
Is No.1 Court Good for First-Time Wimbledon Visitors?
It can be an excellent choice.
First-time visitors sometimes feel pressure to buy the most prestigious ticket available.
But your first Wimbledon experience is not necessarily improved simply because you paid the highest price.
No.1 Court lets you experience:
- a major Wimbledon stadium
- reserved seating
- top-level professional tennis
- the atmosphere of The Championships
- access to the wider Grounds
- the freedom to explore between matches.
For many visitors, that combination is enough to make No.1 Court a fantastic first Wimbledon ticket.
No.1 Court and the History of Wimbledon
Wimbledon is more than one stadium.
The Championships are one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and have produced some of the most important records and rivalries in tennis history.
You can explore the bigger tournament context through our guide to what a Grand Slam is in tennis.
And if you want to understand why Wimbledon remains so important to the sport, our record guide covering the players with the most Wimbledon titles provides useful historical context.
The appeal of No.1 Court comes partly from that history.
You are not simply sitting in a modern sports arena.
You are watching a tournament that has been defining tennis careers for generations.
No.1 Court Tickets vs Centre Court Tickets: The Real Difference
The simplest way to understand the two is this:
| Priority | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Most iconic Wimbledon court | Centre Court |
| Lower ticket cost | No.1 Court |
| Major singles matches | Both |
| Maximum prestige | Centre Court |
| Value for money | Often No.1 Court |
| Final-stage singles experience | Centre Court |
| Flexible budget | No.1 Court |
| First Wimbledon visit | Either |
| Best fallback from Queue | No.1 Court |
| Exploring the Grounds | Both |
The answer is not that No.1 Court is “better.”
It is that No.1 Court can deliver a different value proposition.
Common Mistakes When Buying No.1 Court Tickets
Mistake 1: Assuming the cheapest seat has a bad view
Wimbledon states that the tiered No.1 Court seating groups have full views of the playing area.
Mistake 2: Buying purely because of a player
Players can lose, withdraw or be scheduled differently.
The court assignment is not the same thing as a guarantee of seeing a specific star.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the tournament day
£70 and £235 represent completely different points in the Wimbledon tournament.
Mistake 4: Treating Queue availability as guaranteed
The Queue is an opportunity, not a reservation.
Mistake 5: Comparing standard tickets with hospitality
A premium package and a standard public ticket are fundamentally different products.
Mistake 6: Looking only at the ticket price
Your total Wimbledon budget also includes transport, accommodation, food and potentially another tournament day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wimbledon No.1 Court Tickets
How much are Wimbledon No.1 Court tickets?
For the 2026 Championships, standard public prices ranged from £40 to £235 depending on the tournament day and seating band.
What is the cheapest No.1 Court ticket?
The lowest 2026 standard public price was £40 for Rows X–ZC during Days 13 and 14.
What is the most expensive No.1 Court ticket?
The highest 2026 standard public price was £235 for Rows A–Q during Days 9 and 10.
Are No.1 Court tickets cheaper than Centre Court tickets?
Generally, yes. No.1 Court’s public ticket prices were lower than Centre Court’s corresponding premium seating prices throughout the 2026 public schedule.
Are No.1 Court seats good?
Yes. Wimbledon says its tiered No.1 Court seating groups have full views of the playing area. The difference between bands is primarily their distance from the court.
Can I get No.1 Court tickets through the Public Ballot?
No.1 Court tickets can be part of official Wimbledon ticket allocations, including ballot distributions, depending on the year’s allocation.
Can I buy No.1 Court tickets through The Queue?
Yes. No.1 Court is one of the Show Courts available through The Queue, subject to daily availability.
Can I buy No.1 Court tickets on resale?
Official resale can make No.1 Court tickets available later in the day when tickets are returned by spectators.
Is No.1 Court covered?
Yes. No.1 Court has a retractable roof.
Can I leave No.1 Court and return?
Your ability to leave and re-enter is subject to the ticket and Wimbledon rules applicable to that day’s event. Always check the current conditions before leaving the stadium.
Is No.1 Court worth visiting instead of Centre Court?
Absolutely, particularly if your priority is high-level tennis, a reserved show-court seat and better value rather than the prestige of Centre Court itself.
What is the best No.1 Court row?
There is no single best row for everyone. Rows closer to the playing area cost more, while the further pricing bands offer lower prices while retaining a full view of the court.
The Smartest Way to Buy a No.1 Court Ticket
The best strategy is not necessarily to find the cheapest ticket.
It is to find the right combination of day, seat and buying route.
If budget is your priority, start with early-round No.1 Court sessions and the lower seating band.
If match quality is your priority, look toward the middle of the tournament.
If you want the excitement of the final weekend, understand that No.1 Court is serving a different role by that stage.
If you fail to secure an advance ticket, keep The Queue as an alternative.
And if you are already inside Wimbledon, keep official resale in mind.
That gives you multiple paths instead of putting everything on one ticket purchase.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy No.1 Court Tickets?
Wimbledon No.1 Court tickets are one of the strongest value options for fans who want a genuine show-court experience without automatically paying Centre Court prices.
The biggest advantage is flexibility.
You can choose between different seating bands.
You can target different stages of the tournament.
You can decide whether proximity or price matters more.
You can pursue the Public Ballot.
You can try The Queue.
And, once inside Wimbledon, you can potentially use official resale.
That makes No.1 Court more than a cheaper alternative to Centre Court.
It is a destination in its own right.
For the fan who wants great tennis, a reserved seat, Wimbledon atmosphere and sensible ticket strategy, No.1 Court may be one of the smartest tickets in the entire tournament.
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