Last Updated on August 17, 2018

Everything you need to know about the oldest tennis tournament in the world, from fast facts to how far it is from the airport and how to get around.

A prestigious game

Pimms, strawberries, Andy Murray and pristine grass courts – it must be time for Wimbledon. Along with the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open, Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments that take place each year. So tighten your racquets this July, because the tennis champions of the world are heading to London.

Since the inaugural match in 1877, Wimbledon has transitioned from its humble beginnings as a garden-party tournament to what is widely considered the most prestigious Grand Slam event of the year, with millions of fans tuning in around the world. But just how much do you know about the tournament?

Quick facts

• The tournament runs from 2 July until 15 July every year, and involves more than 1,000 athletes.
• Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam Tournament to still be played on a grass court, after the Australian Open transitioned to hard courts in 1988 (and the French Open is played on clay courts).
• In 2013, Andy Murray became the first British male to win the singles tournament at Wimbledon since 1936, taking the title from Fred Perry (and then he won again in 2016).
• Wimbledon takes place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, a private sports club founded in 1868. More than 54,000 tennis balls are used for each Wimbledon tournament.
• Pimm’s is the official drink of the tournament, and a whopping 280,000 glasses were consumed at last year’s event.
• Spencer Gore was the first ever winner of Wimbledon in 1877.
• It wouldn’t be Wimbledon without indulging in strawberries and cream, and every year more than 33,000 kilograms of fresh strawberries are consumed by tennis fans, along with 10,000 litres of cream.
• The perfectly manicured grass courts of Wimbledon are free from any advertising logos.
• There’s another London establishment called the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club. It’s basically next door to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, but don’t expect to find any Wimbledon action there.

Tickets

There are several ways to get your hands on Wimbledon tickets, so if you’ve missed out on the Public Ballot or Overseas Ballot, don’t stress. Tickets are sold online at Ticketmaster several days before the matches for Centre Court and No.3 Court. If you’re an early riser, you can also line up on the day of play to try and get your hands on the tickets available for that day. Be warned though, you’ll need to line up very early to get your hands on these. Check the official Wimbledon website for more information on purchasing tickets.

 Pimm’s is the official drink of the tournament, and a whopping 280,000 glasses were consumed at last year’s event.

Transport

If you’re flying into London, the most convenient airports are London Heathrow and London Gatwick. For peace of mind and a smooth commute, pre-book an airport transfer from the airport. Jayride.com works with local transfer companies to and from both airports for your convenience.

How far is Wimbledon from the airport?

You can book an airport transfer straight to Wimbledon, as well as your hotel. The tournament takes place 19 kilometres from Heathrow Airport and 46 kilometres from London Gatwick, so consider booking a transfer to ensure you don’t miss out on the action.

Once you’re settled in to London, the London Underground is a great way to navigate the city. And of course, it wouldn’t be a visit to London without a ride on a red double-decker bus.

You might also like: 7 Tips For Travelling To The UK

What’s nearby

London is one of the most popular destinations in the world. If you want a break from the tennis action, there’s plenty of attractions to keep you busy in this historic city. Visit the home of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace, or take a tour of the 700-year-old Westminster Abbey, check out the uber cool East London suburbs, explore the grim history of the Tower of London, browse food and quirky wares at the Camden Markets, or take a ride on the iconic London Eye. Only there for a short time? Check out our 24 Hours In London article for a complete itinerary of what to cover off with just a day in the city.

Got tickets to Wimbledon? Get there on time and in style by booking an airport transfer from Heathrow, Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton, or London City. Jayride.com works with hundreds of local transfer providers, so no matter your budget or style, we’ve got a stress-free solution for your airport transfer so you can simply relax and enjoy some world-class tennis.