Thousands of tennis fans camped overnight in Wimbledon Park as the Championships got under way, with many hoping to secure last-minute tickets through the famous Wimbledon Queue.
More than 9,000 people had already joined the line by Monday morning, with hopes of gaining entry to the iconic tournament through its traditional ticketing system.
The Queue
Fans turned the wait into an event of its own, with picnic blankets, casual games, and celebrations—including one civil servant marking his 26th birthday.
Tom Spencer, from Finsbury Park in north London, said: “I looked up when Wimbledon was on and it happened to coincide with my birthday, so I thought, right, that’s the perfect excuse.
“I was going to go anyway, but this was a good opportunity to get loads of people there together, and, to some extent, it’s free camping in London, essentially.”
More than 9,000 people had joined the queue, according to an event steward (Image: Mike Egerton/PA)
Mr Spencer and his friends came prepared for a long night, spending the time with drinks and a takeaway pizza order that took two hours to arrive.
He described the atmosphere in the queue as lively, with a steady mix of conversation, laughter, and anticipation for the day ahead.
The Atmosphere
Fans of all ages and backgrounds brought life to the queue, with many remarking on the sense of camaraderie.
Student Hannah Turcinova, who travelled from the Czech Republic, arrived at 2pm on Sunday and was surprised by how many people were already there.
Ms Turcinova said: “We came at 2pm, and we thought there would be no one.
“That was the original time on the website… and it was written, please don’t come before this time.
“So next time, we’re definitely going to come in the morning.”
Many people camped overnight in tents or arrived in the early hours of Monday morning (Image: Mike Egerton/PA)
Despite the long wait, Ms Turcinova described the experience as positive.
She said: “It was a pleasant experience.
“People are just coming around you and want to chat.
“Very lovely.
“Nobody’s trying to get in front of you, everyone’s just at their side.”
Camping conditions
Camping overnight is a key part of the Wimbledon Queue tradition, with fans aiming to secure a spot near the front for the best chance of Centre Court or No.1 Court tickets.
Not everyone found the weather as warm as expected.
Jeremy Mangalindan, a head chef from Brentford, said: “It got colder in the middle of the night.
“After this little heatwave, I didn’t expect that.”
Others came with their own advice after spending the night outdoors.
Sam Shepherd, who travelled from Penrith in Cumbria, said: “I would recommend a blackout tent – it’s quite nice keeping it dark still.”
Ms Shepherd described the overall atmosphere as friendly and fun, though she noted the lack of sleep was a challenge.
She arrived at 3pm on Sunday and was woken early by stewards.
People in the queue on day one of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships in London (Image: Mike Egerton/PA)
She said: “They did wake us up half an hour early, they woke us up at 5am.
“They come round and go, morning, everybody up, get your tents packed away.”
For some, the decision to join the queue was last-minute.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “I’m supposed to be at work today, but my cousin’s come in from Vancouver and she’s a really big tennis fan.
“She’s visiting family in London, so I thought, let’s make this happen for her.”
She arrived at 3am with basic supplies.
She said: “I only have one sleeping bag, and we don’t know where it is… so we just got mats and some blankets, and we slept on the ground.
“It was quite cold actually.”
Tradition and excitement
The Wimbledon Queue has become a key part of the Championship experience, drawing fans from across the UK and around the world.
Many visitors see the queue itself as part of the magic of Wimbledon.
Ms Shepherd said: “It’s just one of those British summer experiences.
“Everyone’s in good spirits, and you end up chatting with people from all over.”
For many, it’s a rare chance to experience Centre Court in person—if they’re willing to camp out and wait.
Ups and downs
There was some disappointment on the first day of the tournament, particularly for fans of Emma Raducanu.
Mr Spencer said: “I think we’re slightly short of the big tickets.
“I saw Emma Raducanu dropped out, that would have been really good.”
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The British number one pulled out of Wimbledon on Sunday evening, after a scan showed a leg injury she had been trying to overcome had become a stress fracture.
That aside, most fans remained upbeat as they packed away tents and headed toward the turnstiles, ready for a day of tennis and tradition.
As the Championships continue, so too will the Queue—a living part of Wimbledon history, powered by patience, good humour, and a shared love of the sport.