WImbledon 2016: Debentures set to double in price as tournament grows in popularity

Move expexted to raise £25million

(Getty)

Wimbledon’s enduring popularity has been underlined by the price of its next set of debentures.

The All England Club has set a price of £31,000 for its issue of five-year debentures for No 1 Court, which is more than double the cost of the present 2012-16 issue.

Each of the 1,000 debentures, which will cover the period from 2017 to 2021 inclusive, gives the holder a ticket on No 1 Court for the first 10 days of the Championships. Debenture holders are the only purchasers allowed to sell their tickets anywhere on the open market. For example they can sell to individuals, to corporate hospitality companies or to the All England Club itself under a buy-back scheme.

From the 11th day onwards the biggest matches at the Championships are all scheduled on Centre Court, which is why the No 1 Court debentures cover only the first 10 days. However, No 1 Court debenture holders are entitled to buy one seat on that court for each of the last three days.

The money raised by debentures goes towards future investment in facilities. The 2017-2021 issue is expected to raise £25m before expenses, which will go towards the cost of installing a retractable roof over No 1 Court. That project, which will guarantee a full day’s play regardless of the weather, is expected to be finished in time for the 2019 Championships.

While most purchasers of debentures simply want to guarantee their seats, some view them as a good investment. The current Centre Court debentures, which cost £50,000 each two years ago, were being traded earlier this year at an average price of £95,500. The All England Club also buys back debenture tickets, which it then resells, often to other debenture holders.

More than half of the main draw singles matches played on No 1 Court last year featured top five seeds. Wimbledon also point out that because there are only 13 days of competition (in comparison with 14 or 15 days at the three other Grand Slam events) and only three singles matches a day are scheduled on Centre Court (compared with up to five, for example, at the US Open), No 1 Court inevitably stages a number of top matches.

The current 2012-16 issue of No 1 Court debentures cost £13,700 for the full five years. The application period for the 2017-2021 issue will run until 27 May.