Wimbledon 2013 - Tennis Tickets & Hospitality
How To Get Tickets to Wimbledon 2013
When it comes to choosing the right ticket to suit your Wimbledon needs, it can be quite confusing. To help with getting tickets to one of the most exciting tennis events in the sporting calendar, we have put together a guide to the different tennis ticket types available for Wimbledon and the fantastic Wimbledon hospitality tickets and packages we offer.
Buying Wimbledon 2013 Tickets - Debenture or Ballot?
Each year, Wimbledon attracts a worldwide audience of hundreds of millions but only a tiny percentage are privileged enough to sample the magic and excitement of the most prestigious grand slam tennis championships first-hand as Wimbledon tickets for the event are extremely popular and sell out quickly.
So how do you secure those much sought after Wimbledon tickets?
When purchasing tickets through the AELTC, there are two main options available:
a. Wimbledon's Public Ballot
The public ballot is one of the most direct ways of purchasing Wimbledon tickets and an appropriate way of dealing with the popularity of the tournament. Most Centre, No.1 and No.2 Court tickets are sold in advance by public ballot and to enter the draw, applicants must have completed an application well before the event.
b. Queuing on the Day
If you are willing to forgo a night’s sleep and camp outside the Grounds, there are about 500 tickets reserved each day for each of the Centre (except for the last 4 days), No.1 and No.2 Courts which are on sale at the turnstiles. However, these tickets are extremely popular and sell-out very quickly.
Wimbledon Hospitality - Debenture Tickets & Non-Debenture Tickets for 2013
If you’ve missed your chance to enter the public ballot and don’t fancy camping outside the grounds all night without the guarantee of a ticket, then perhaps we can help. Our exclusive range of award-winning Wimbledon hospitality allows you to perfectly match your entertaining needs whilst delivering a wonderful day at The Championships and we have a package to suit everyone. With access to Wimbledon Debenture Tickets and non-debenture tickets, Keith Prowse can certainly provide you with fantastic Wimbledon Tickets.
As official suppliers of hospitality since 1982, Keith Prowse enables you to soak up the thrilling atmosphere whilst witnessing the world's greatest players in action at this unique tennis tournament.
Situated in a prime location opposite the main entrance to The Championships, Wimbledon, the world-class facilities at The Gatsby Club offer unrivalled levels of service, lavish surroundings and impeccable hospitality.
a. Debenture Centre Court
Reserved Debenture Centre Court seats and private tables are available for parties of 2 or more guests in The Gatsby Club. Please note that Debenture seats are sold in pairs. Valet parking is also available with this package.
b. Debenture No. 1 Court
Reserved Debenture No.1 Court seats and private tables are available for parties of 2 or more guests in The Gatsby Club. Please note that Debenture seats are sold in pairs. Valet parking is also available with this package.
c. No. 1 Court
We can offer reserved No.1 Court seats, situated no more than 45 metres from the court. These seats are only a short distance from The Gatsby Club.
Speakeasy provides the ideal venue at which to entertain guests; combining world-class tennis action and the finest hospitality. It is a highly versatile venue, which can cater for 30 to 50 guests and has its own balcony area and butler service. Host your event in these unique, private surroundings and make your company stand out from your competitors.
Choose one of the following two options which are available at Speakeasy:
a. Debenture Centre Court
Debenture Centre Court Packages are available throughout The Championships. These seats ensure that you have one of the best views in the house and are the most sought after tickets for tennis fans. The Debenture ticket packages/tickets are only sold in pairs and include valet parking (one per four guests).
b. No. 1 Court
No.1 Court seats provide excellent views of the court and ensure you are in the thick of the action. No.1 Court hospitality packages are available for the first 10 days of The Championships, are suitable for larger groups and have unrestricted views of the court. This package also includes car parking (one per four guests).
You and your guests can enjoy Wimbledon away from the crowds but close to the action. From the comfort of a spacious balcony you can take in panoramic views across London, whilst soaking up the hive of excitement below. You and your guests will be treated not only to the traditional luxuries associated with Wimbledon, including vintage champagne and afternoon tea with strawberries and cream, but also fine wines, a canapé reception and a 4-course à la carte menu.
What Are Debentures?
There are two types of tickets available for The Championships, Wimbledon: Debenture and Non-Debenture. One Centre Court Debenture ticket is allocated to each Holder for every day of The Championships and No. 1 Court Debenture tickets are allocated for the first 10 days of The Championships.
Non-Debenture tickets are those which are sold at face value by the Club through the public ballot, the LTA and its affiliated tennis clubs. As official hospitality providers for The Championships, Keith Prowse has a number of Non-Debenture tickets available for No.1 Court as part of our hospitality packages at the award-winning Gatsby Club.
Centre Court Debentures
Every five years, Centre Court Debentures are sold. These tickets guarantee holders one seat per Debenture per day of each The Championships during the five year period. The last series covered 2006–2010 and each Debenture was priced at £23,150. The issue raised £46 million.
No.1 Court Debentures
Each Debenture entitles the holder to a reserved seat in the new No. 1 Court for the first 10 days of The Championships for each of the five years. This idea was first introduced in 1996, prior to the opening of the new No.1 Court in 1997. The third issue of up to 850 Debentures, covering the 2007-2011 Championships, was announced in March 2006 and each Debenture was priced at £12,250. The issue raised approximately £8.7m.
A History of Debentures
Centre Court Wimbledon Debentures have been sold every five years since 1920 in order to meet capital expenditure. Since 1999, No. 1 Court Debentures have also become available.
Just before the First World War, the All England Tennis Club underwent considerable expansion at the Worpole Road ground in order to meet the public’s growing demand. The capacity of the Centre Court was increased and adjacent houses and gardens were purchased. However, in 1919, when the tournament had recommenced after the War, the grounds were still not able to cope with the huge crowds and so the club began its hunt for new premises.
In June 1920, the ‘Ground Company’ was formed with the aim of acquiring 13.5 acres of freehold land at Wimbledon Park, Surrey – the Club’s current location. In order to raise the required capital, the ‘Ground’ Company issued ‘A’ and ‘B’ Debentures at £50 each, raising £75,000.
The ‘A’ Debentures carried an interest rate of 7.5% per annum, redeemable on or before August 1947, and also conferred the holder to the right to purchase one seat in the Centre Court Stand for each day of The Championship meetings, up to and including 1947, at the prices current at such meetings. The ‘B’ Debentures carried no interest but conferred upon the holder the right, without payment, to one seat in the Centre Court Stand for a similar period. The Debenture issue was oversubscribed and increased to £100,000.
Owing to the Second World War, the Debentures were extended by six years until the end of the 1953 Championships. In 1948, existing holders were given the chance to extend their rights until the 1959 Championships with a new issue of 2,100 Debentures at £50 each. The money was needed to repair the Club’s premises and to improve the Centre Court and catering facilities.
And so the process has continued (with the exception of 1960) until today, with Debentures being issued every five years. The income from Debentures has funded many major works programmes to provide better facilities for the players, spectators, officials and media. Today, the current issue, which covers 2006-2010 and the previous series, has realised more than £46 million.
The Creation of The White Market
For many years there has been a legitimate but unofficial market for the sale of Centre Court Debenture tickets to agencies and hospitality outlets. However, as this unofficial market was unregulated, the Club was often blamed for the activities of dishonest sellers, who sold tickets which they did not actually possess.
In 1989, in an attempt to reduce unofficial hospitality, the decision was made to establish an official Centre Court Debenture market, the ‘White Market’, at the Club. This meant that Debenture Holders could sell any unwanted tickets back to the Club who would then re-sell them to existing Debenture and Marquee holders; ensuring tickets remained in the hands of those who were already supporting British tennis.
Under these conditions, all Wimbledon tickets, apart from Debentures, are only valid if sold either by the All England Club or by one of its licensed and authorised agents such as Keith Prowse. Any unauthorised sale or transfer of tickets immediately invalidates them.
In 1998, the ‘White Market’ was extended to No.1 Court Debenture Holders on a matched bargain basis (i.e. buying only those tickets required to satisfy demand).
Where Do The Proceeds Go?
Without the financial commitment of the Debenture Holders, few, if any, of the capital projects at Wimbledon would have been possible. Over the last couple of years these improvements have included:
2006 — The redevelopment of the turnstile area: The construction of the new Museum Building at Gate 3, incorporating the new Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum (opened 12 April 2006), permanent 2,600 sq ft Wimbledon Shop, Club offices and Ticket Office.
2008 — An increase in capacity of Centre Court from 13800 to 15000 and a new restaurant and bars for the public and debenture Holders.
In 2009, a new Retractable roof for Centre Court was developed, as well as the installation of new, wider, padded and more comfortable seating for all spectators and a new No.2 Court.