• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Wimbledon Expansion Could Extend Tournament’s Summer Footprint

  • Wimbledon is hoping to build 39 new courts, including a 8,000-seat stadium.
  • The expansion would allow the All England Club to host Wimbledon qualifying on-site.
World No. 4 says Saudi Arabia’s potential business could help the WTA reach pay equity.
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club wants to make Wimbledon even bigger — and just took a key step in its ambitious growth plans.

Wimbledon is the only one of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments to not hold its qualifying event on site. Qualifying currently takes place several miles from the club at a venue with a capacity for 2,000 fans.

But a local council has approved plans for the club to build 39 new courts — including an 8,000-seat stadium — on the site of the former Wimbledon Park Golf Club. The All England Club purchased the neighboring land in 2018 for $79 million. If given the official green light, Wimbledon’s new qualifying space wouldn’t be ready until 2030 at the earliest.

In 2024, Wimbledon will run from July 1-14. If the All England Club could host qualifying onsite, though, it would become the epicenter of professional tennis a week earlier, when Wimbledon qualifying begins on June 24.

However, Wimbledon’s organizers have been dealing with a contractual clause that prevented “the use of the land otherwise than for leisure or recreation purposes or as an open space.” Some opposition still remains, and the All England Club’s plans could still be thwarted by another local committee or even London’s mayor.

The All England Club has promised that the new 23-acre public park will be fully accessible to the community outside the Wimbledon weeks each year. An ultimate resolution could be determined by the end of the year, although no official timeline has been guaranteed.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Raiders Coaching Search Fuels Tom Brady Conflict Questions

Potential conflicts between part-owner, broadcasting roles again rise to the forefront.
Jan 29, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) is guarded by Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center.

As Butler Eliminates Options, Heat Face Expensive Dilemma

Butler is in the middle of a seven-game suspension.
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin leads his players onto the field prior to the game against the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium.

Can College Football Playoff Maintain Ratings Momentum?

The Notre Dame–Penn State Orange Bowl is Thursday night.
Lions Vikings Jahmyr Gibbs

NFL TV Ratings: NBC Draws Huge Audience for Vikings-Lions Blowout

NBC Sports gets a strong result from the “Sunday Night Football” finale.

Featured Today

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first-down catch against Oregon during the 2025 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The Biggest Changes to College Sports Are Coming in 2025

Sweeping developments could affect the college sports foundation this year.
Dec 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) walks out to the rink before the Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field
January 1, 2025

Glitzy NHL New Year’s Eve Winter Classic Showcased Connor Bedard’s Star Power

The business of Bedard—on full display—is crucial for the NHL.
Pop-Tarts bowl tropfy
December 27, 2024

‘I Want to Play in That Game’: How the Pop-Tarts Bowl Went..

The bowl has players saying, “I want to play in that game.”
NHL Winter Classic 2024
December 26, 2024

NHL, TNT Pinning High Hopes on First New Year’s Eve Winter Classic

Can the dream setting of Wrigley Field lift flagging viewership?

Rays Reverse Course on Tropicana Field Repairs, Aim for 2026 Return

After questioning the ballpark repairs, the MLB club now wants them done.
January 3, 2025

Browns Land Buy Fuels Stadium Plan As Cleveland Pushes Back

The NFL team executes a clause to purchase 176 acres of land.
Biden, Josh Harris
January 6, 2025

Biden Signs RFK Stadium Bill Into Law

D.C. will take control of the potential stadium site within 180 days. 
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
December 31, 2024

Cleveland vs. the Browns: How ‘Modell Law’ Could Keep Team in City

The city invokes local law while seeking to halt the team’s relocation.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
December 23, 2024

Falcons Stadium Transactions Up 30% Since Huge Food Price Cut

The team set famously low food prices at its stadium in 2017.
Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris with fans before the game against the Chicago Bears at FedExField.
December 21, 2024

RFK Stadium Bill Passes in Overnight Stunner

In a 1:15 a.m. vote, all 100 senators voted yes.
Dec 17, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) alongside Steve Scalise (R-LA), left and Tom Emmer (R-MN), right, during a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 17 on Capitol Hill in Washington.
December 20, 2024

Spending Bill Fiasco Keeps RFK Stadium Bill Hopes Alive

NFL pressure could be “best hope” to revive RFK Stadium bill.