If you’ve ever sat on the grassy bank of Aorangi Terrace—what the rest of us call Henman Hill—you’ve likely stared at the massive, circular stadium looming over the Big Screen. That’s No. 1 Court Wimbledon. Honestly, for a long time, it was sorta the "little brother" to Centre Court. It was where you went if you couldn’t snag the prime tickets but still wanted to see the big seeds.
But things changed. Big time.
Today, this court isn't just a backup. It is a technological beast that cost roughly £70 million to renovate. It has its own retractable roof, its own unique atmosphere, and a history that is actually way more interesting than most casual fans realize. People think it’s just a smaller version of the main stage. It’s not. It has a vibe that’s tighter, louder, and frankly, a bit more intense.
The 1997 Pivot: Why They Moved It
Most people don't know that the current No. 1 Court Wimbledon isn't where the original one used to be. The "Old" No. 1 Court was literally attached to the side of Centre Court. It opened in 1924. It was legendary but cramped.
Players loved it. Why? Because the fans were right on top of you. You could hear a spectator sneeze from the baseline. But by the 1990s, the All England Club (AELTC) realized they couldn't fit enough people in. They needed a "Master Plan."
In 1997, they opened the current stadium in Aorangi Park. It moved the "show court" energy north. The old site? That’s where the Millennium Building stands now—the place where the players eat and the media does their thing. The new court started with 11,432 seats. Now, after the big 2019 upgrades, it holds exactly 12,345 spectators. That number is weirdly satisfying, isn't it?
The Architecture of the "Concrete Doughnut"
Architecturally, the court is a circle. Most tennis stadiums are rectangles with rounded edges, but this is a bowl. This design was intentional. It creates "sightlines" that mean there isn't really a bad seat in the house.
Because of that circular shape, the acoustics are wild. When a crowd of 12,000 starts roaring for a British underdog under the lights, the sound doesn't just dissipate. It bounces. It echoes. It feels like the air is vibrating.
The £70 Million Roof: A Game Changer
For decades, if it rained at Wimbledon, you were basically out of luck unless you were on Centre Court. You’d sit there watching the orange-shirted ground staff pull the covers on and off. It was a ritual, sure, but a frustrating one for fans who spent a month’s rent on tickets.
In 2019, the AELTC finally finished the retractable roof on No. 1 Court Wimbledon. This wasn't just a tarp. It’s a massive engineering feat involving 11 steel trusses, each weighing about 100 tonnes.
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- Deployment speed: It takes about 8 to 10 minutes to close.
- The Fabric: They used 7,500 square meters of Tenara fabric. It’s translucent, so even when it’s closed, the court feels bright.
- The Climate: It’s not just a roof; it’s a giant air conditioner. When closed, it pumps 143,000 liters of fresh air per second into the bowl to stop the grass from getting slippery with condensation.
You've probably noticed the "living walls" outside. Those aren't just for show. Those walls feature over 14,000 plants. It’s meant to keep that "tennis in an English garden" feel, even though the stadium itself is a high-tech marvel of steel and concrete.
Iconic Moments (That Weren't on Centre)
There is a misconception that the "real" history only happens on Centre Court. Tell that to Tim Henman. He basically lived on this court. He and Daniel Nestor played the first-ever match here in 1997.
Remember the 2009 quarter-finals? Tommy Haas upset Novak Djokovic in a four-set thriller right here. Or the Andy Roddick vs. Lleyton Hewitt match that same year? That was a five-set cliffhanger that didn't end until 7 PM.
The court has this "Graveyard of Champions" reputation, too. Because the atmosphere is more intimate, smaller players often feel like they have a better shot at an upset. The crowd is closer. The pressure is more tactile.
Why You Might Actually Prefer This Court
If you’re lucky enough to have a choice, some veterans of the "Queue" will tell you to pick No. 1 Court Wimbledon over Centre for the first week of the tournament.
Why?
Because of the sheer volume of matches. While Centre Court usually gets the "Big Three" or the top-seeded Brits, No. 1 Court often gets the "bloodbath" matches—the young rising stars and the fierce grinders who play for four hours. You get more "bang for your buck" in terms of pure drama.
Also, the debenture areas here are arguably better. The "No. 1 Bar" and the "Veranda" restaurant offer views that are just... well, they’re spectacular. You can see across the whole grounds towards London.
Getting Tickets: The Reality Check
Don't expect to just walk up and buy a ticket for £20. It doesn't work that way. For 2026, the price for a No. 1 Court ticket can range from a few hundred pounds via the public ballot to several thousand if you're looking at debentures.
- The Public Ballot: This is the "fair" way. You enter months in advance and pray.
- The Queue: You can still get tickets this way, but you’ll need to camp out. Usually, about 500 tickets are reserved for the Queue each day for the show courts.
- Debentures: These are the only tickets you can legally resell. They are expensive, but they give you access to the private lounges and the best seats.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you find yourself holding a ticket for No. 1 Court Wimbledon this summer, here is what you need to do to not look like a first-timer.
Arrive by 10 AM. Even if play doesn't start on the show courts until 1 PM, the grounds open at 10. You want that time to walk around, see the outside courts, and grab your strawberries and cream before the massive lines form.
Check the "Resale" Kiosk. If you have a ground pass but want to get into No. 1 Court, head to the ticket resale kiosk after 3 PM. People who leave early return their tickets, and you can buy them for a fraction of the price. The money goes to charity. It’s the best "hack" in tennis.
Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Even with the roof, if it’s open, the bowl acts like a magnifying glass. You will bake. People forget this because it's London, but the "Wimbledon burn" is a very real thing.
Watch the screen. If your match is between sets, walk out to the Aorangi Terrace. The vibe there, with the big screen and the thousands of people cheering, is the soul of the tournament.
Honestly, the No. 1 Court Wimbledon is the heart of the grounds now. It bridges the gap between the old-school tradition of the club and the high-tech future of the sport. It’s loud, it’s circular, and when the roof closes and the lights come on, there isn't a better place on earth to watch a tie-break.
Check the daily Order of Play on the official Wimbledon app as soon as it's released (usually the evening before) to see which high-intensity matchups have been moved to No. 1 Court to avoid the evening darkness.