Ticket ballot for Wimbledon is finally moving into the digital age

The ticketing process for Wimbledon could be made easier than ever as it is set to be moved online, it has been reported.

Currently, tennis fans have to fill out a form months in advance and post it with a stamp-addressed envelope.

This has been the way of doing things since 1924, but in a major shake-up to the system the forms could be filled in online instead.

The online system is already used for anyone who wishes to purchase tickets from abroad.

The move to digitise the system won’t be in force this year but will most likely be used for the 2020 tournament, according to the Financial Times. 

A source close to the Wimbledon leadership told the publication: ‘The benefits outweigh the disadvantages’.

Earlier this year, Wimbledon chairman Philip Brook hinted the ticketing process could be heading toward a more modern operation.

He told the 2Barrys podcast: ‘It is hard work, you have to send in a form with a stamped addressed envelope.

‘We have for the last three or four years put our overseas ballot online. This is a bit of a test to see what happens. We are looking closely at the whole question of the ballot and whether we might move it online.

‘We are a bit worried about that we might be completely swamped with demand. Secondly we think with a paper based system it is harder for people to cheat.’

Currently, around 17 per cent of tickets are made available to wealthy patrons who pay £80,000 to secure seats for five years.

For those who don’t get ballot tickets and can’t afford to pay the huge amounts for guaranteed seats, 1,500 tickets are put on sale for those who queue up.

Some have even camped at the ground overnight to ensure they get them.