BBC: Anti-expansion protests held as Wimbledon begins

A group opposing plans to expand the Wimbledon tennis complex held a protest outside the ground as the tournament got under way on Monday.

BBC | 29 June 2026 | Gem O'Reilly and Aurelia Foster

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) wans to build 38 additional tennis courts and an 8,000 seat stadium on a former golf course opposite the site.

Members of the Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) chanted loudly, with many dressed as tennis balls, as fans queued for the opening day of play. They are concerned about the scale of the planned development and say local people's lives will be disrupted by it.

The AELTC said the development was "crucial to ensuring Wimbledon remains at the pinnacle of tennis" and would benefit the community.

Development 'too large'

The AELTC's proposals were given planning permission in 2024 and would see the existing site nearly triple in size.

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