I went to the HSBC Championships Instead of Wimbledon - Here’s Why I’m Already Planning 2027
- Truvhana
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The HSBC Championships was not my first choice, obviously. But, if you know Wimbledon, you know those tickets are notoriously hard to get. My husband is an avid tennis lover, and we wanted to watch a live tennis match together. Queen's Club - home of the HSBC Championships - turned out to be the perfect way in. If you needed a sign to go watch the tournament that opens the grass season instead of holding out for Wimbledon, this is it.
What is the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club?
If you're not a tennis person (yet), here's the synopsis. The tournament actually goes all the way back to 19th century, when it began as the London Athletic Club Open Tournament, before settling permanently into its home at Queen's Club. It sits just a few miles from the All England Club (Wimbledon), and it's essentially the opening of grass season - Wimbledon's warm-up act. It now runs across two consecutive weeks each June, with the WTA event taking the first week and the ATP event following straight after, wrapping up just before Wimbledon begins.
The HSBC Championships, affectionately known as Queen's, run as an ATP and WTA 500-level event, only a few tiers below a Grand Slam. The Centre Court is named the Andy Murray Arena, after the man who won a record five singles titles here between 2009 and 2016.
What was interesting was learning that the women's championship re-started last year, 2025, after being away for more than 50 years. So watching a full WTA 500 draw here, with stars like Serena Williams making her comeback, felt a bit fulfilling.
Why should you go to the HSBC Championships vs Wimbledon?
As a total tennis newbie, I loved the smaller scale of it. Queen's felt intimate in a way I didn't expect, nowhere near as sprawling or overwhelming as I imagine Wimbledon to be. It felt like it was made for people who actually watch tennis, not just people who want to say that they went.
Practically speaking, it's also just easier. You're far more likely to get tickets to the HSBC Championships than to Wimbledon, and because the arenas are smaller and the seats felt closer to the court, I found it much easier to actually follow the ball. If you're new to tennis and want to ease in before committing to the Wimbledon queue (or ballot) experience, Queen's is a genuinely smart trial run.
Getting into the grounds was seamless, too - no stress, no confusion, just straight in and settled. It's such a contrast to what I've read about the famous Wimbledon queue, where fans can spend hours working through security before they're even through the gates. I imagine that's simply the price of a much bigger stage, but it made me appreciate how easy the HSBC Championships made it for us.
Match Day
Given the week of rain we'd had, we honestly didn't expect much. And because Serena's doubles partner, 19-year-old Vicky Mboko, picked up an injury before our scheduled day, we were a bit disappointed. But the day of our visit, not a single raindrop fell, and because so many matches were delayed, they packed a tight schedule - which meant we got to see far more tennis than we'd planned for.
We saw a few of our favourites play each other; Iva Jovic took on Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu took on Sorana Cîrstea. My favourite little moment of the day, although, it had nothing to do with the score line at all, was watching the crowd's loyalty shift. Elena Rybakina's played a bit earlier in the day versus Tatjana Maria and the crowd didn't miss a beat cheering their favourite, Rybakina. However, a bit later in the day when the match up was Rybakina against Katie Boulter, all you heard was "Come on, Katie!" It was such a sweet, very British thing to witness.
The Atmosphere
What I didn't realise going in was how different tennis crowd culture is from what I'm used to. I grew up around cricket tournaments back home, and this was more... refined. Around you, you could smell the champagne and Pimm's; spectators dressed in their smart casual best (or as we'd say back home, their "Sunday best"), quietly enjoying the show. Then the second a British player took the lead, that composure disappeared entirely - gloves off, the whole crowd got a little eccentric between points. It was such a fun contrast.
What I didn't love?
Bathrooms during breaks were difficult to get to, with long queues every time play paused. However, the lines pretty much disappeared once a match was underway on Centre Court - still worth knowing if you're planning your own visit.
What We Paid
For anyone curious about the practical side, here's exactly what our day at Queen's Club cost us:
Tickets: £80 per person (£160 for the two of us)
Glass of Pimm's: £8.50
Crêpe: £6 per person (£12 for us both)
Fish burger and fries: £18.15 per person (£36.30 for the two of us)
Strawberries and cream: £5.30
Queen's Club baseball caps: £33 per person (£66 for the two of us)
Queen's Club keychain: £10
All in, our day came to just under £300 between us.
HSBC Championship's vs Wimbledon: How to decide?
If you can only make it to one grass-court event, ask yourself this: do you want a bigger occasion with all the hype, or a smaller, more intimate crowd where you can actually see the tennis? The HSBC Championships is the easier ticket, the easier day out, and honestly, a fantastic starting point if you've never been to a tennis tournament before. Wimbledon is obviously the bucket-list moment.
That's exactly why we're already planning 2027. We've got our sights set on Centre Court at Wimbledon itself, on understanding what makes that queue such a beloved tradition, and yes, on the strawberries and cream at the very source.
TL; DR
Is HSBC Championships easier to get tickets for than Wimbledon?
Generally yes. Wimbledon uses a public ballot system, while HSBC Championships Club tickets go on general sale (with an LTA Advantage priority window beforehand). It's still worth booking early though, later rounds and finals weekend sell out fast.
What is the dress code at Queen's Club?
There's no strict dress code for general spectators, but smart casual is the unofficial standard; think linen, blazers, summer dresses. Ripped jeans and trainers are discouraged in hospitality areas specifically. Wimbledon, by contrast, only enforces all-white on its players, not guests.
When does the HSBC Championships take place?
The tournament now runs across two consecutive weeks, the WTA 500 event followed by the ATP 500 event, both in mid-June, just ahead of Wimbledon.
How do I get to Queen's Club?
The venue is on Palliser Road in West Kensington. Public transport is strongly recommended, as parking near the grounds is limited.
Is HSBC Championship a Grand Slam?
No, it's an ATP/WTA 500-level event, two tiers below the Grand Slams, but it's still one of the most prestigious grass-court tournaments on tour and a key Wimbledon warm-up.
If this has you dreaming of your own grass-court season, I'd love for you to follow along as we plan our 2027 Wimbledon trip! Join the mailing list so you don't miss the full ticket guide, or let me know in the comments if the HSBC Championships is on your list too.
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Tuvia thank you for the insight. I am a big tennis fan as well and your well written comparison of Wilmington versus HSBC was informative