Wimbledon’s next set: Legacy, change and global sporting futures

Wimbledon is in full swing, and while the world’s top players battle it out on Centre Court, another contest is playing out beyond the grounds. The All England Club’s ambitious £200 million expansion plan has become a flashpoint, drawing criticism from local residents, environmental groups, and campaigners. The proposal would see the transformation of a neighbouring golf course into 39 new courts, including an 8,000-seat show court, and is currently under judicial review. At the heart of the controversy lies a question that resonates far beyond tennis: how do iconic institutions grow without losing the very qualities that make them so loved?

The club argues that the expansion is essential to Wimbledon’s future. By bringing the qualifying rounds - currently held three miles away in Roehampton - on-site and increasing capacity, they aim to match the scale and accessibility of other Grand Slam tournaments. The Australian Open, for example, now draws over a million fans annually. Wimbledon, by contrast, remains more intimate, but also more constrained. The All England Club promises that the development will not only enhance the player and fan experience but also deliver community benefits: new public parks, seven community tennis courts, and biodiversity improvements endorsed by the London Wildlife Trust.

But opponents see a different story. They argue the development would destroy protected Metropolitan Open Land, reduce biodiversity by over a third, and violate legal covenants that were meant to preserve the land for public use. For many, their objections have nothing to do with tennis; they’re about protecting a rare pocket of nature in an increasingly urbanised city. 

This debate reflects a broader challenge facing major cultural and sporting events. As global audiences grow and expectations rise, the pressure to expand, modernise, and commercialise intensifies. Yet these ambitions often collide with local concerns, environmental responsibilities, and the need to preserve heritage. Wimbledon, with its deep traditions and global prestige, sits at the crossroads of this tension. Its outcome could set a precedent for how other institutions navigate similar dilemmas.

What’s clear is that the future of events like Wimbledon won’t be shaped solely by broadcast deals or ticket sales. It will depend on how well they listen and adapt, without losing sight of the communities and landscapes that surround them. As the final rounds of the Wimbledon tournament approach, the real legacy of 2025 may not be who lifts the trophy, but how one of sport’s most iconic venues chooses to evolve.