Wimbledon to gain 39 additional courts after clearing crucial legal hurdle
An expansion plan for the grounds of Wimbledon has been given the green light after a UK High Court judge dismissed a legal challenge brought by local residents to stop the development at the Grand Slam.
Mr Justice Saini, the judge in question, dismissed the challenge which was in response to a decision by the Greater London Authority to allow the proposed work to take place on the site of the old Wimbledon Park Golf Club.
That challenge was brought forward by the Save Wimbledon Park campaign group (SWP), which claimed that the proposed actions were unlawful.
The expansion will be led by the creation of 39 new courts – including an 8000-seater stadium – on the golf club, which shut down four years ago.
“We are delighted that Mr Justice Saini has dismissed the challenge to the GLA’s decision to grant planning permission for our plans to transform the former Wimbledon Park golf course,” AELTC chair Debbie Jevans said, after the ruling.
“It is clear that we have a robust planning permission that enables us to create a permanent home for the Wimbledon Qualifying Competition as well as delivering 27 acres of beautiful new parkland for local people, providing public access to land that has been a private golf course for over 100 years.
“We have spoken to more than 10,000 people who have taken the time to come in person and understand our plans in detail. The vast majority of people just want us to get on and deliver the many benefits on offer as soon as possible.
“We now turn our attention to separate legal proceedings to give everyone reassurance that there is not, nor has there ever been, a statutory trust over the former golf course land. This hearing is due to take place in January 2026.”
At the moment, the qualifying matches for the tournament take place in Roehampton – which is nearly four miles from the grass-court Grand Slam.
With the expansion, including the new courts, Wimbledon’s qualifying will – in theory – be brought from Roehampton to SW19, in line with the other three Grand Slams.
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As a result of the £200 million plans, the area of the tournament will nearly triple in size.
“This is welcome news that will cement Wimbledon’s reputation as the greatest tennis competition in the world and London as the sporting capital of the world,” commented Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.
“This scheme will bring a significant range of economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits to the local area, the wider capital and the UK economy, creating new jobs and green spaces.
“Today’s news comes following confirmation of London’s bid for the World Athletics Championship in 2029, new plans to deliver a once-in-a-generation redevelopment of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and the capital staging the Women’s Rugby World Cup final this September, which will have a world-record attendance for a women’s rugby event.”
