Wimbledon have increased the price of the tournament’s strawberries and cream for the second year in a row despite having proudly frozen the price for the previous 15 years.
The other treat synonymous with SW19 – the summery Pimm’s Cup – has also received a price hike of £1.20 from last year, with the alcoholic drink now priced at an eyebrow-raising £13.45.
The All England Club (AELTC) announced last year that they would be raising the price of their handpicked strawberries by 20 pence, having previously maintained their £2.50 price tag since 2010.
This year, strawberries and cream, or a plant-based alternative, will cost punters in south London a further 15 pence more at £2.85.
Wimbledon’s raised prices come against the backdrop of a staggering increase in player prize money, with the tournament offering a 20 per cent increase on last year’s purse to £64.2million.
Singles champions of both the men’s and women’s draws will receive £3.6m for lifting the trophy on Centre Court, while the take-home fee for losing in the first round is £80,000.
Wimbledon have raised the price of a glass of Pimm’s by £1.20 to £13.45 for the iconic drink
Time-honoured favourite snack strawberries and cream has also seen a price hike in SW19
Despite the significantly larger prize pot, top stars including Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner had planned a second protest over the amount awarded by Grand Slams after limiting their media appearances on the first weekend at the French Open last month.
This weekend, players again limited their time speaking to journalists and broadcasters to 15 minutes to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the rise, and had planned to continue to do so through the first week.
Monday morning however saw a statement from the group confirm that they would be pausing hostilities ‘based on Wimbledon’s commitment to return with specific proposals addressing all three points of the players’ July 2025 submission’.
Players have been agitating for increased welfare for Grand Slam participants as well as the prize money reflecting a 16 per cent revenue share, with this eventually rising to 22 per cent.
As well as Pimm’s, those taking in the first day of the Championships could also enjoy a limited edition Stella Artois Strawberries and Cream-flavoured beer at £9.30 for a pint, with regular draught beer priced at £8.95.
Those with a taste for fizz might also sample champagne, with the lowest priced option £27.90 for a quarter-bottle of Lanson Le Black Creation Brut, and the highest a bottle of Lanson Le White Label Sec at £110.20.
The AELTC are anticipating a blockbuster day of first-round action, with 10,000 spectators already queuing – and the tournament forced to tell people looking for entry to go home if they have not already travelled.
