Wimbledon will be exempt from the government's planned ban on reselling tickets for more than face value, specifically for its debenture tickets. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) argued that the ban would hinder its ability to reinvest debenture proceeds into facility maintenance.
The government confirmed the for-profit resale ban on Wednesday but recommended narrow exemptions for charity resales and debentures. Debentures guarantee holders a seat on Centre Court or No 1 Court for every day of the tournament for five years, along with access to exclusive restaurants and bars. Holders can sell or transfer tickets if unable to attend, with costs reaching up to £116,000.
Almost 3,800 debenture seats are available for the five-year period starting next year, and they can be traded privately or via stockbrokers. Classed as transferable securities, debentures are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First issued in 1920, they funded the purchase of Wimbledon's current site and the construction of Centre Court.
The AELTC said its debenture programme is always oversubscribed, allowing Wimbledon to keep general admission prices lower than other international tournaments. In 2025, a daily grounds pass costs £30. The club received £61.7 million from the first instalment of debentures for 2026-30, with further payments due in 2025 and 2026, to be used partly to repay a loan.
The government's crackdown targets ticket touts and resale platforms like Viagogo and StubHub, following complaints from music fans over high prices for Oasis reunion tickets. An AELTC spokesperson said: 'We support the government’s measures to protect fans and we are confident that the government recognises the crucial role that Wimbledon’s debenture programme plays in the continued success of the championships.'
