The ballot has been around since the 1920s. Originally, it was a paper-only affair. You filled out a postcard. Imagine the suspense of waiting for the postman.
Wimbledon Ballot 2027: How to Enter and Key Ticket Dates
Today, over 500,000 people apply. That’s more people than the population of Liverpool. And only a tiny fraction win. It’s like a tennis Hunger Games.
Here’s the weirdest bit: You can’t choose your seat number. You buy a ticket for “Upper Tier, Row X.” But you don’t know exactly where until you arrive. It’s a surprise party you paid for.
The Ballot and the Royalty
Royalty doesn’t use the ballot. Obviously. The Queen (or King) just shows up. But the ballot is the people’s path to the Royal Box. Well, not the actual boxes. But you can wave at them.
If you win tickets and sit near the Royal Box, don’t wave like a fanatic. It’s Wimbledon. Maintain a stiff upper lip. Just a nod. A polite, refined nod.
Then scream into your Pimm’s when you get home. That’s the Wimbledon way.
