About Wimbledon Debentures
Debenture seats are the finest tickets on Centre and Number One Courts and offer an unrivalled view of play. It is your guarantee of a preferred seating location. Your ticket is good for the entire day and gives you access to all outside courts on a first come-first served basis with the exception of the show courts which require separate tickets.
All genuine Debenture seats have a Swing Badge with them to gain access to the Debenture Holders' Lounge. All tickets purchased through TicketsToWimbledon.com are Debentures and are 100% guaranteed.
The purchase of "Non-Debenture" tickets through any agent is done on a "Buyer-Beware" basis, but the simple rule is Only buy Debenture Tickets.
A Brief History of Debentures
The original Debentures were issued in 1920 and helped finance the purchase and development of the current site of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. During the years immediately prior to the First World War, the All England Club considerably expanded the facilities at the Worple Road ground to meet the growing demand of the public, by increasing the capacity of the Centre Court and purchasing adjacent houses and gardens. Even so, when the tournament resumed after the War, in 1919, the grounds still could not cope with the greater than ever crowds and, as further expansion was not possible, the Club sought new premises.
In June 1920, the Club formed the 'Ground' Company, primarily with the objective of acquiring 13½ acres of freehold land at Wimbledon Park, Surrey (the present site of the Club), and to develop the grounds for the purpose of staging The Lawn Tennis Championships and other competitions. To raise the capital required, the 'Ground' Company raised £75,000 by the issue of 'A' and 'B' Debentures at £50 each. The 'A' Debentures carried an interest rate of 7½% per annum, redeemable on or before August 1947, and also conferred on the holder the right to purchase one seat in the Centre Court Stand for each day of The Championship meetings, up to and including 1947, at the prices current at such meetings. The 'B' Debentures carried no interest but conferred upon the holder the right, without payment, to one seat in the Centre Court Stand for a similar period. The Debenture issue was oversubscribed and increased to £100,000.
Due to the Second World War, the Debentures were extended by six years until the end of the 1953 Championships. In 1948, existing holders were offered the opportunity of extending their rights until the 1959 Championships with a new issue of 2,100 Debentures at £50 each. Money was required to effect repairs to the Club's premises, including bomb damage, none having been carried out for nine years, and to improve the Centre Court and catering facilities. So the process has continued and apart from one year only, 1960, Debentures have been issued every five years.
The three issues of 2,100 Debentures for 1986-1990 and 1991-1995 and 1996-2000 realised approximately £11 million, £35 million and £35 million, respectively. Arising from the extension of the West side of the Centre Court, an additional 200 debentures, making a total of 2,300, were offered for 2001-2005. Current issue covering 2006-2010 and the previous series realised £46 million.
Since the late 1970's, income from Debentures has funded many major works programmes to provide greater facilities for the players, spectators, officials and media, such as:
- 1979 - Raising of the Centre Court roof and the construction of a new Debenture Holders' Lounge on the north side of the Centre Court.
- 1980 - Members' Enclosure made a permanent building.
- 1981 - No.1 Court Competitors' Complex rebuilt.
- 1985 - East Side Centre Court Building constructed.
- 1986 - New two-storey pavilion in Aorangi Park.
- 1989 - Three new covered courts built.
- 1991 - Centre Court North Building extended to provide greater accommodation for Debenture Holders and offices.
- 1992 - Replacement of Centre Court roof
- Present - Centre Court Redevelopment
The proceeds of the last three issues are being used to help finance the Long Term Plan for the Club and The Championships. Further funding for the Plan was provided in April 1996 by the issue of 1,000 Debentures for the new No. 1 Court, covering the 1997-2001 Championships. In March 2001 it was announced that a further series of up to 1,000 Debentures would be issued covering the 2002-2006 Championships.
Debentures in both these series were offered at £9,900 and entitled the holder to a reserved seat for the first ten days of The Championships for each of the relevant five years.
On 31 March 2006, the Company announced a third series of Debentures for the No.1 Court at a cost per debenture of £12,250. 850 Debentures have been issued covering the 2007-2011 Championships.