In a press release sent today, the All England Lawn Tennis Club announced details on the range of enhancements to be introduced for The Championships Qualifying Competition in 2017.
In the past, the Bank of England Sports Centre in Roehampton has hosted The Championships Qualifying Competition uninterrupted since 1947, and the event’s unique charm and relaxed setting have seen its popularity grow steadily over the years.
While the scope of Qualifying is inevitably limited by the nature and location of the site, the AELTC has shown commitment to continually improving the facilities for both competitors and spectators.
In a first, television coverage from the event’s main Show Court will be available to spectators inside the Grounds via a giant video screen, and to Wimbledon fans around the world on wimbledon.com and via the AELTC’s broadcast partners. Spectators will also benefit from a new stand. Ring beams have been installed on two courts, with a further 10 to be added in 2018, which will allow for inflatable court covers in the case of inclement weather.
Other enhancements that were added also include the introduction of ticketing, to allow for adequate and appropriate security and safety measures at the venue, and additional operational improvements to ease the impact of the event on local residents. There will be no public car parking associated with this event.
Tickets for the Qualifying Competition will go on sale at noon on Monday 12 June (local time). An allocation of up to 1,000 tickets per day, priced at £5 each, will be for sale online only via Ticketmaster on a first come, first served basis. There will be a limit of two tickets per person or per household for each day of the event, and tickets will be strictly non-transferable. There will be no facility to purchase tickets on the day of play at the venue, or via the AELTC Ticket Office or the LTA.
Revenue generated (net of VAT) from ticket sales will be donated to the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Championships.
The main Show Court will be broadcast in the UK on BBC and British Eurosport platforms, and worldwide on wimbledon.com and via the AELTC’s other broadcast partners.