150 years of Wimbledon: how the main tennis jubilee of the century is being prepared

Exactly one year from now, in July 2027, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club will open its gates for the jubilee, 150th Wimbledon tournament. What started in 1877 as a modest competition of 22 amateurs on the grass court at Worple Road has turned into the main tennis temple in the world over a century and a half. Wimbledon is preparing thoroughly for its semi-century anniversary — not just as a sporting event, but as a grand festival that should unite traditions, innovations, and memories of great heroes. What is happening behind the scenes of the preparation and what will the audience see in the summer of 2027?

The hill that will rise by a fifth

Perhaps no place at Wimbledon evokes as much nostalgia and excitement as the famous grass hill at Court No. 1. Thousands of ticketless fans, spreading blankets on the grass, have followed matches on a giant screen for years, sipping cream with strawberries and experiencing every serve. Initially, it was called the "Henman Hill" in honor of the British Tim Henman, who reached the semifinals four times but never won the title. Then, after Andy Murray's triumphs, the hill was unofficially renamed in honor of the Scot.

Now this legendary area is coming to life in a new form. In April 2025, the All England Club officially announced plans for a major reconstruction of the hill. Work will begin immediately after the tournament in 2026, and by July 2027, the renovated hill will welcome its first guests. What will change? The capacity of the hill will increase by 20 percent, meaning even more fans will be able to enjoy the unique atmosphere. New low retaining walls will be built to provide additional seating, and most importantly, the visibility of the screen will be significantly improved by changing the slope of the existing tiers.

Special attention is paid to accessibility. Ramps and special routes for wheelchairs will transform access to the hill, including the Orchard and Pergola areas at its summit. Ruth Hopkins, head of the Level Playing Field Accessibility Department, emphasized: "These plans will provide significant improvements for all guests, but especially for those with special needs." In addition, instead of the existing paths, there will be permeable surfaces, and a new pergola will protect spectators from scorching sun and rain. The upper tier of the hill will be decorated with an amazing new floral exhibition — Wimbledon remains true to its love of aesthetics and horticulture.

Deborah Jeavons, chair of the All England Club, commented: "The reconstruction of our world-famous hill for the 2027 championship will allow even more tennis fans to enjoy its unique atmosphere. I am particularly pleased that these plans will improve accessibility for guests using wheelchairs."

Andy Murray: a statue that will become eternal

But the hill is just part of the big jubilee mosaic. Perhaps the most emotional announcement was the decision to install a statue of Sir Andy Murray on the grounds of the All England Club. The idea was not born out of nowhere: organizers were inspired by the example of "Roland Garros," where a statue of Rafael Nadal was opened in 2021. "We thought: what do we want for Andy? We want a statue of Andy Murray here, and we are closely collaborating with him and his team," Deborah Jeavons said in the ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast.

The grand opening is scheduled for 2027 — to mark the 150th anniversary of the first championship. Murray himself will personally participate in the development of the sculpture. Jeavons emphasized: "The ambition is to open the statue on the 150th anniversary of our first championship, which took place in 1877. It will be perfect and truly special."

Andy Murray is not just a two-time Wimbledon champion (2013 and 2016). He is a man who broke a 77-year wait for a British male victory at home. The last time this was achieved was by Fred Perry in 1936. Murray also won the Olympic gold on the Wimbledon courts in 2012, and in 2016 took the second Olympic medal. The statue will not just be a tribute — it will secure his place in the pantheon of the greatest Wimbledon heroes alongside Federer, Navratilova, and Williams. After ending his professional career after the Paris Olympics, Murray is now preparing for a new role — a living legend, whose bronze figure will welcome future generations of tennis players and fans.

Expanding the territory: 39 new courts and a battle with protests

Behind the scenes of the jubilee preparation, there are not only creative but also legal passions. As early as 2024, organizers received permission to build 39 additional courts on the site opposite the All England Club, including a stadium for 8000 spectators. This project will allow the qualifying tournament to be held on site, as well as provide more training opportunities for players.

However, the project encountered fierce opposition from local residents, who are striving to protect the Wimbledon Park. The Merton Council supported the plan, but the councillors of neighboring Wandsworth opposed. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan refused to participate, citing a conflict of interest, and the final decision was made by his deputy. Despite the protests of the protesters, the project was approved. Residents accused the club of violating a legal agreement on the use of land purchased from Merton in 1993 and threatened a judicial review, not excluding an appeal to the Supreme Court. Thus, the grand expansion of Wimbledon may drag on for years of legal disputes, but the organizers are resolute.

What else is preparing the jubilee tournament

In addition to the hill reconstruction and the Murray statue, organizers are preparing a series of jubilee surprises. It is expected that in 2027, festive programs will be strengthened, including special exhibitions in the Wimbledon Museum dedicated to the 150-year history of the tournament. The All England Club, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2018, already then published the book "The Birth of Lawn Tennis: From the Origins of the Game to the First Championship at Wimbledon." Now it's the turn of the tournament itself.

It is not excluded that the prize money will be increased in the jubilee year, although there have been no official statements yet. Traditional attributes — the white dress code, strawberries with cream, the royal box — will remain unchanged. But the organizers clearly intend to focus on accessibility and inclusiveness: the reconstruction of the hill is just the first step to making Wimbledon more open to all categories of fans.

The schedule of preparation: from applications to opening

Preparation is going according to a strict schedule. In April 2025, consultations with local residents began, followed by an application for planning the hill reconstruction. Work on the hill will begin immediately after the tournament in 2026. By summer 2027, a few weeks before the start of the tournament, all construction work must be completed. As for the Murray statue, the creation deadlines are not disclosed, but it is known that the sculptor will work closely with the tennis player and his team.

Traditions that will survive centuries

150 years is a huge period for any sporting event. Wimbledon has survived two world wars, the change of eras, the transition to the Open Era, and the appearance of a roof over the Central Court. But its spirit remains unchanged: this is a tournament where white is not just a dress code, but a symbol of the purity of the game, where silence during the game is a sign of respect, and strawberries with cream is a ritual uniting generations.

2027 will not just be another championship. It will be a moment when Wimbledon will look back to the past to proudly step into the future. The updated hill will welcome new fans, the Murray statue will welcome the heroes of tomorrow, and the traditions laid down in 1877 will continue to live in every stroke of the racket. And if you plan to visit Wimbledon in the jubilee year, get ready not only for tennis but also for a grand festival that happens once every century and a half.

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