Tennis fans camping overnight at Wimbledon to secure same-day tickets have left behind large amounts of discarded equipment, sparking concerns about waste and antisocial behavior. The tradition of the "Wimbledon Queue," which can see up to 10,000 people lining up daily around Wimbledon Park, has grown in popularity, but it has also resulted in piles of tents, sleeping bags, air mattresses, pillows, and camping chairs being abandoned.
A designated area near the queue has become a collection point for these items, some of which are donated to charities such as the British Red Cross. Volunteers collect and redistribute usable tents and camping gear; a volunteer reported taking away dozens of tents in good condition during the early days of the tournament. However, many items, especially pillows and duvets, cannot be resold due to hygiene regulations and end up being discarded. Camping equipment that is damaged or heavily soiled is also frequently thrown away, leading to criticism over the environmental impact of single-use gear.
Some campers have expressed reluctance to take equipment from the donation pile, citing cleanliness concerns. Others have chosen to purchase and retain their own tents, acknowledging the wastefulness of discarding gear after a single use. Observers and visitors alike have condemned the practice, calling it selfish and environmentally damaging.
The queue’s growth has also brought complaints from local residents about increased disruptions and antisocial conduct near Wimbledon Park. Issues highlighted include misdirected deliveries intended for queuers arriving late at night, campers urinating in public areas, spitting toothpaste on the grass, and unsafe use of rental electric bikes around the park. One local architect described the problem as frustrating and said attempts to engage with the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) had been unsuccessful.
Jonathan Morrish, a campaigner from the Save The Park group, noted the expanding size of the queue correlates with rising amounts of waste, which sometimes appears unsightly. Some camp-goers reportedly disregard the official option to pay for on-site luggage storage, which costs £5 per item, instead opting to leave equipment behind for convenience.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has responded by emphasizing that all items considered in good condition and unclaimed are donated to charities and community groups. They also stressed that nothing from the collection points goes to landfill, aligning with broader waste management practices implemented throughout the tournament site. The AELTC further noted that most local residents support the queue despite some temporary disruption, recognizing its role in providing accessible tickets for this major sporting event.