Wimbledon officials have warned fans that any match tickets resold on unauthorised secondary sites will be “immediately invalidated.”
However, Which? has reported that touts selling tickets for more than 10 times their face value have stated that they guarantee entry to the tennis tournament.
The only tickets allowed to be freely traded are debenture tickets, which are currently being sold on secondary ticketing sites for more than £17,500 for the men’s final with hospitality.
Debentures pay a one-off fee, which goes towards the upkeep of the Wimbledon grounds, and in return they get tickets to all the major events held there. They are issued every five years. The last batch covers 2016 – 2020 and cost £50,000.
Wimbledon has reportedly claimed it is aware of the unauthorised selling of tickets, stating that those found to be in breach of the rules could be subject to legal action.
A spokeswoman the for All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) – the organisation behind the Wimbledon tournament – said: “Debenture tickets are the only Wimbledon tickets which are freely tradeable.
“This is the legal right that comes with purchasing a debenture and is judged to be fair value for the long-term investment that debenture holders contribute towards The Championships.”
The spokeswoman added that the AELTC Ticket Office is aware of the tickets currently listed on Gumtree.
“The AELTC takes active steps to monitor advertisements and sales, including those made via shops and internet sites,” she said.
“Sellers of non-debenture tickets will be contacted and sellers found to be in breach of the AELTC’s Conditions of Sale may be prohibited from receiving tickets in the future as well as subject to legal action.”
Image: Tim Schofield
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