Wimbledon Fans Told ‘DO NOT TRAVEL’ as Queue Reaches Capacity on Record-Breaking 33°C Opening Day
LONDON — June 30, 2025
Tennis fans hoping to attend day one of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships have been met with disappointment and extreme heat, as organizers issued an urgent alert: “DO NOT TRAVEL — THE QUEUE IS FULL.”
By mid-morning, Wimbledon officials confirmed that the legendary Queue, a tradition beloved by fans seeking on-the-day grounds passes, had reached full capacity. The unprecedented announcement came amid record-breaking heat, with temperatures soaring to 33°C (91°F) — the hottest opening day in the tournament’s storied history.
> “Due to extreme demand and the severe weather conditions, the Queue is now at full capacity,” read the official notice from The All England Club. “Please do not attempt to travel to join it. No further queue cards will be issued today.”
Fans began lining up outside the All England Club as early as Sunday afternoon, many pitching tents overnight to secure a spot in line. By 6:00 a.m., the Queue had already snaked well beyond Southfields, with stewards reporting tens of thousands of hopeful attendees.
The scorching heat has exacerbated the situation. On-site medical staff have treated multiple cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Volunteers have been distributing water bottles and sunscreen, while shaded relief tents have been set up near Wimbledon Park.
> “I’ve queued for 12 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Carla Jennings, 34, from Manchester. “It’s not just packed — it’s like a festival out here, but with barely any breeze.”
The Met Office had previously issued a Level 2 Heat Health Alert for London and Southeast England, advising outdoor event organizers to take additional precautions. Wimbledon officials increased shade coverage and misting fans around the grounds, but could not keep pace with the volume of foot traffic.
Inside the gates, play continued as scheduled with opening matches on Centre Court featuring defending champions and global stars. But the tension outside has sparked criticism over the tournament’s queue management amid climate challenges.
> “The Queue is a cherished tradition, but with the climate changing, we need to rethink crowd strategies,” said public health expert Dr. Nikhil Sharma. “Standing in a field for 8–10 hours in 33-degree heat is a public health risk.”
Many fans took to social media to express frustration and disappointment:
> “Queued overnight, survived the heat, and still got turned away. Wimbledon — this isn’t fair,” posted one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Organizers have said they are monitoring the situation hour-by-hour and will adjust operations accordingly for the remainder of the week, especially if heat levels persist.
As Wimbledon battles the heat off-court, the tournament’s famed blend of tradition and endurance is being tested like never before — and day one is only just beginning.