Centre Court & No.1 Court at Wimbledon: the seating guide
Understanding the two show courts — and where to sit best
Centre Court (≈14,979 seats, retractable roof since 2009) is Wimbledon's main stage and hosts both singles finals. No.1 Court (≈12,345 seats, roof since 2019) is the second show court. The most coveted seats are the Debenture seats in the lower tier; the Royal Box, at one end of Centre Court, is invitation-only.
Last updated 30 June 2026
Centre Court — the main stage
Opened on Church Road in 1922, Centre Court is the heart of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and the most prestigious stage in world tennis. With roughly 14,979 seats, this is where the fortnight reaches its climax: both singles finals — Ladies' on the Saturday, Gentlemen's on the Sunday — are traditionally played here.
Since 2009 a retractable roof has covered the court. When rain falls or the light fades, it closes in around ten minutes and play continues under floodlights, sheltered from the weather. The grass still reigns, but the fortnight is no longer hostage to London's skies.
The arena reads across two levels. The lower tier hugs the court most closely: this is where you truly feel the rally, the texture of the grass and the hush before the serve. The upper tier offers a more tactical, elevated view of the play. At one end sits the Royal Box, the historic enclosure reserved for AELTC guests — invitation-only, it cannot be booked or bought. The Debenture seats, for their part, occupy the finest positions in the lower tier, aligned with the court.
No.1 Court — the second show court
In its current form, No.1 Court is a modern amphitheatre of around 12,345 seats. It is Wimbledon's second show court, staging marquee matches, leading seeds and, often, the contests that connoisseurs prefer to those on Centre Court.
Fitted in turn with a retractable roof since 2019, No.1 Court also guarantees uninterrupted play in the rain. Its atmosphere is reputed to be more intense, closer and louder — an ideal echo chamber for the great comebacks.
No.1 Court has its own Debenture seats too, among the best-placed in the arena, in the lower tier. At the foot of the stands, a courtside terrace and several restaurants let you extend the day: lunch, a Pimm's, strawberries and cream between matches — all without ever straying far from the play.
The show courts at a glance
Wimbledon has several seated courts; the four principal ones differ in capacity, roof and role within the tournament.
| Court | Capacity | Roof since | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Court | ≈ 14,979 | 2009 | Both singles finals; Royal Box (invitation-only); Debenture seats |
| No.1 Court | ≈ 12,345 | 2019 | Second show court; Debenture seats; terrace and restaurants |
| No.2 Court | ≈ 4,000 | None (open-air) | Large outdoor court, high-quality match-ups |
| No.3 Court | ≈ 2,000 | None (open-air) | Outdoor court prized for early rounds |
Where the best (Debenture) seats are
On both Centre Court and No.1 Court, the finest seats are the Debenture seats, set in the lower tier, closest to the net and aligned with the court. These are the most sought-after seats at Wimbledon — and the only tickets the AELTC permits to be legally transferred or resold to third parties, which makes them the only legitimate premium route. Unlike the public ballot, the Queue or official resale, Debentures are the sole Wimbledon tickets that are freely transferable.
A Debenture ticket is more than the seat. It includes access to the lounges, bars and restaurants reserved for Debenture holders, along with a garden, a dedicated entrance and parking: a discreet retreat between matches, with nothing more to buy. These facilities are part of the ticket itself, not a separate package.
For comfort, two factors are worth weighing. First, exposure: depending on the hour and the side of the court, part of the stands sits in sun and part in shade — a detail that matters on a hot July afternoon. Second, the roof: once closed, it evens out light and acoustics, and every seat stays sheltered the moment you are on Centre Court or No.1 Court.
How TGZ secures show-court Debenture seats
TGZ Conciergerie, an independent concierge house, privately sources Debenture seats on the secondary market — the only tickets that may be legally transferred — opening the best lower-tier seats on Centre Court and No.1 Court, together with the lounges, bars and restaurants reserved for holders, included with the ticket.
Around those days, we orchestrate the London stay bespoke: a Mayfair palace, private aviation, a chauffeur and restaurant bookings in town. TGZ is neither a box office nor a marketplace: we open access to Debenture seats, privately, subject to availability.
No specific match-up or player can be guaranteed, and prices are always indicative and confirmed on request. TGZ is independent and has no affiliation with The Championships, the AELTC or Wimbledon.
Frequently asked questions
Centre Court holds roughly 14,979 seats. It is Wimbledon's largest court and the stage where both singles finals, Ladies' and Gentlemen's, are played.
Yes. Centre Court has had a retractable roof since 2009: it closes in around ten minutes when rain falls or the light fades, and play continues under floodlights. No.1 Court has had a roof of its own since 2019.
The most coveted seats are the Debenture seats in the lower tier, closest to the net and aligned with the court. They are also the only legally transferable Wimbledon tickets — the premium route TGZ sources privately, subject to availability. The ticket includes access to the lounges and restaurants reserved for holders.
No. The Royal Box, at one end of Centre Court, is strictly by invitation of the AELTC: it cannot be booked or bought. TGZ does not offer access to it.
Everything for your Wimbledon
Your Debenture seats on Wimbledon's show courts
Centre Court or No.1 Court, lower-tier Debenture seats with included access to the holders' lounges and restaurants: we compose your day at Wimbledon bespoke, subject to availability. Indicative prices confirmed on request.