Can You Upgrade Wimbledon Tickets On The Day?
Written by Aviran Zazon
Yes, sometimes, but only in a narrow Wimbledon sense.
There is no standard on-the-day upgrade counter where staff take your existing ticket and exchange it for a better one.
What Wimbledon does offer is an official returned-ticket resale system inside the Grounds, where show-court seats handed back by departing spectators can be bought later in the day, subject to availability.
That means a Grounds Pass can occasionally turn into a seat on No.2 Court, No.1 Court or Centre Court.
It can also mean someone already inside with another court ticket manages to buy a better show-court ticket later on. The important part is that none of this is guaranteed, and it depends on timing, returned inventory and a fair bit of luck.
This guide explains how that system works, where to go, what sort of upgrade is realistic, when returned tickets tend to appear, and whether it is worth trying at all.
Show Court Seats
At A Glance: What Spectators Should Know
For a straightforward answer, upgrades are possible only through the Wimbledon Ticket Resale system inside the Grounds, and they are best understood as a chance to buy a returned ticket later in the day, not as a formal exchange.
| Question | Practical Answer |
|---|---|
| Can you upgrade on the day? | Yes, sometimes, through official returned-ticket resale |
| Is there a normal upgrade desk? | No |
| Where does it happen? | Ticket Resale kiosk in Parkside, next to No.1 Court / north of Gate 3 |
| When can resale start? | After 3pm, subject to availability |
| What can you get? | Usually returned seats for Centre Court, No.1 Court or No.2 Court |
| Is it guaranteed? | No, Wimbledon explicitly says it is not |
| How much does it cost? | $20 Centre Court, $13 No.1 Court, $13 No.2 Court |
| Best mindset | Treat success as a bonus, not part of your plan |
The attraction is obvious: for a relatively small fixed price, a fan already inside the Grounds can sometimes get onto a major court for the remainder of play. The trade-off is that you may get nothing, or only a late slice of the session rather than the headline match you had imagined.
How The Wimbledon Resale System Works
Wimbledon’s official system is built around spectators who leave a show court before the end of the day and hand back their ticket.
That returned seat can then be resold inside the Grounds, with proceeds going to the Wimbledon Foundation. Wimbledon has run versions of this scheme for decades, and it remains an established part of the Championships rather than an informal workaround.
Returned show-court tickets are sold from the Ticket Resale kiosk in Parkside, next to No.1 Court, after 3pm and subject to availability. The queue is now managed through a virtual queue using the Wimbledon App.
The wording matters here. Wimbledon’s rules describe Resale Tickets as tickets for certain courts that are returned by ticket holders upon leaving the Grounds and then made available for sale within the Grounds.
In other words, you are not upgrading your original ticket in any technical sense. You are buying a separate returned ticket once you are already inside.
What Types Of Upgrades Are Actually Possible?
You can upgrade from a Grounds Pass to a show court seat. Wimbledon openly promotes the resale scheme to people already on site, with returned Wimbledon show court tickets becoming available after 3pm.
A second possibility is one show court to a better show court. Wimbledon does not market this as a formal upgrade product, but it is possible.
We should point out that the resale scheme is not there to move you to a better row or a better section on the same court. Wimbledon’s terms are clear that there is no guarantee of any specific seat location.
A recent fan question captures the uncertainty well:
Can I upgrade tickets on the day? by u/Upbeat_Froyo in wimbledon
That is the right question to ask, provided you interpret upgrade as buying a returned ticket later on rather than expecting a guaranteed swap.
Step-By-Step: How To Try To Upgrade Your Ticket
Start once you are already inside the Grounds
You cannot use this system from outside. The official process is for guests already attending the Grounds.
Go to the Ticket Resale area in Parkside
The resale point is in Parkside, next to No.1 Court and north of Gate 3. Older online advice may still mention locations such as north of Court 18, but that is not the current official wording.
Join the virtual queue
Queueing for resale uses the Wimbledon App. Scan a QR code at the resale booth, choose the desired court, and then wait elsewhere in the Grounds for a notification.
Watch your phone carefully
If your turn comes, Wimbledon sends an SMS telling you to return. You must get back within at least 20 minutes or risk losing the ticket.
Buy what is available
Each notification entitles you to buy one resale ticket. Prices are fixed at $20 for Centre Court and $13 for No.1 Court or No.2 Court.
When Are Upgrades Usually Available?
The official answer is simple: resale starts after 3pm.
The practical answer is more nuanced. The best flow of returned seats often appears later, because somebody has to leave before their ticket can be resold.
That usually means after an earlier match finishes, when a headline player’s fans decide to go, or when people cut their day short for travel, weather or simple fatigue.
Wimbledon’s own rules underline that there is no guarantee you will get any particular match or player for any particular length of time.
So if your plan is to stroll in and be on Centre Court for the opening ball of a major afternoon match via resale, that is usually too optimistic. The more realistic expectation is a later entry for the remainder of play.
What Are Your Chances Of Success?
There are no guarantees or assurances that an applicant will successfully buy a resale ticket through the virtual queue.
In practice, the chances are shaped by three things. How many people return tickets that day, how many people are trying for them, and how narrow your preference is. A spectator happy with No.2 Court, No.1 Court or Centre Court has a broader target than someone who will accept only Centre Court.
That is why the route is best described as excellent value but unreliable. When it works, it can be one of the great Wimbledon bargains. When it does not, you still need to be happy with the day you had without it.
Tips To Improve Your Chances
Join as early as you sensibly can
After you are inside, registering earlier gives you a better chance of being in the mix before demand piles up. The system is still limited by returns, but leaving it too late rarely helps.
Stay flexible on court choice
A fan who would gladly take No.2 Court or No.1 Court is in a stronger position than one chasing Centre Court alone.
Treat 3pm as the opening of the process, not the peak of supply
Sales can begin after 3pm, but the best stream of returned seats may come later.
Keep your phone charged
This matters more than people think. Wimbledon’s handbook lists phone charging points around the Grounds, including in Parkside. If you miss the SMS, you can miss the ticket.
Know how to get back quickly
The official terms give only a limited return window, so do not drift too far away once you are in the system.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
The biggest mistake is imagining Wimbledon runs a clean, predictable same-day upgrade product. It does not.
Another common error is assuming that after 3pm means plenty of Centre Court tickets appear straight away. Officially, 3pm is simply the earliest point at which resale can begin. Supply still depends on spectators leaving and handing tickets back.
It is also easy to get caught by outdated advice on kiosk location. Current official material places Ticket Resale in Parkside by No.1 Court, not at some of the older locations still floating around online.
Finally, do not confuse official in-Grounds resale with general unofficial resale. Aside from debenture tickets, ordinary Championships tickets are non-transferable.
Is Upgrading Worth It Vs Planning Ahead?
For some spectators, yes. If you already planned to spend the day inside on a Wimbledon Grounds Pass, and you would be pleased with even a partial late-afternoon spell on No.2 Court, No.1 Court or Centre Court, the resale scheme is well worth trying. The price is low and all proceeds go to charity.
It is much less attractive if your real goal is certainty. If you want a full day on a particular show court, or you absolutely must be in your seat from the start of a specific match, planning ahead is stronger.
Wimbledon’s Queue still sells a daily allocation of 500 tickets each for Centre Court, No.1 Court and No.2 Court on eligible days, while official advance routes and hospitality offer more certainty than an afternoon resale gamble.
Where Ticket Comparison Becomes Useful
This is the point where comparing options becomes practical rather than theoretical.
If you are comfortable with uncertainty and already expect to spend the day inside the Grounds, the official resale kiosk can be a brilliant low-cost bonus.
If you know you want Centre Court or No.1 Court tickets in advance, relying on an on-site upgrade is much less dependable than securing that access before the day starts.
That is where a platform such as Ticket-Compare.com can be useful in context. It is a ticket comparison platform letting you look across pre-vetted resale sites and official ticketing partners, often including hospitality, so you can compare availability for Wimbledon sessions such as Centre Court and No.1 Court in one place rather than opening multiple tabs.
The purchase itself takes place on the respective site you click through to.
Can You Upgrade Wimbledon Tickets On The Day? | Frequently Asked Questions
Can you upgrade Wimbledon tickets on the day?
Yes, but only through Wimbledon’s official returned-ticket resale system inside the Grounds. It is not a standard exchange service. In practical terms, you are buying a returned show-court ticket later in the day if one becomes available, not swapping your original ticket for a better one.
How does the Wimbledon resale kiosk work?
Once inside the Grounds, you go to the Ticket Resale kiosk in Parkside, join the virtual queue through the Wimbledon App or QR code, choose your preferred court, then wait for an SMS. If selected, you return to buy one ticket within the stated time window.
Can you upgrade from a Grounds Pass to Centre Court?
Yes, that is the clearest official example of how the system works. It is still subject to availability, and Centre Court is usually the hardest returned ticket to secure, especially on busy days with strong demand.
What time do Wimbledon ticket upgrades become available?
Officially, returned show-court tickets can be sold after 3pm. In reality, useful supply often depends on when seated spectators begin leaving, so the strongest chance may come later rather than dead on 3pm. We have published a guide on what time to join the Wimbledon Queue.
Is it better to upgrade on the day or buy tickets in advance?
That depends on whether you value certainty or flexibility. On-the-day resale is cheaper and can be excellent value, but it is uncertain and usually later in the session. Buying in advance, queueing early for show-court tickets, or comparing lawful premium options is better if you want dependable access.
Can you choose which court you want in the resale system?
The virtual-queue terms say applicants choose the court they want when joining. That helps, but it does not mean you will get that court. Narrow preferences, especially Centre Court only, naturally make success less likely.
Are Wimbledon resale tickets expensive?
No. The official resale prices are fixed rather than demand-based: $20 for Centre Court and $13 for No.1 Court or No.2 Court. That low pricing is one reason the scheme remains so popular with fans already inside the Grounds.
Can you buy more than one resale ticket?
Not from a single notification. Wimbledon’s virtual-queue terms state that a ticket notification entitles the applicant to purchase only one resale ticket.
Conclusion: So, Can You Upgrade Your Wimbledon Tickets On The Day?
Yes, but only if you treat upgrade as a chance to buy a returned show-court ticket through Wimbledon’s official in-Grounds resale system.
That route is real, official, and sometimes fantastic value. It is also limited, later in the day, and shaped by availability rather than entitlement. For spectators already inside the Grounds, it is worth trying with realistic expectations.
For spectators who know they want Centre Court or No.1 Court from the outset, planning ahead is usually the better move, and that is where comparing advance options through a platform such as Ticket-Compare.com can make more sense than hoping the perfect seat appears at the resale kiosk.
Right now, there are 5,605 Wimbledon tickets for the Show Courts on sale via Ticket-Compare.com.
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