Wimbledon No.1 Court London

Enhancing an Icon for a New Era

Wimbledon No.1 Court Millboard siding project

Few places carry the same sense of heritage and global recognition as Wimbledon. For generations, its Championships have been etched into the world’s imagination, steeped in tradition yet always touched by innovation. When the All England Lawn Tennis Club set out to deliver the Wimbledon Master Plan – a decade-long redevelopment to optimize the guest experience and future-proof the grounds, the transformation of No.1 Court became one of its defining chapters.

At the heart of the project was a clear ambition: to enhance the venue’s character while ensuring it could serve modern audiences with comfort, efficiency and effortless style. For this, the design team needed materials that felt authentic yet offered standout performance. Millboard’s Shadow Line + Golden Oak siding was selected to help bring that vision to life.

Designing with Purpose

The renovation was led by architects KSS, working in close collaboration with Grimshaw and the seasoned expertise of Sir Robert McAlpine – the very team behind London’s Olympic Stadium build. Their brief was to reimagine No.1 Court both functionally and aesthetically. This involved introducing a state-of-the-art retractable roof to protect play from unpredictable British weather, alongside a complete reconfiguration of the spectator experience.

Two new seating tiers added space for another 900 guests, taking the total capacity to 12,400. A generous two-level public plaza replaced Court 19, creating a sociable meeting point and a welcoming threshold between the grounds and the stadium. Every choice was shaped by an understanding of how visitors move, gather, and soak up the atmosphere of Championship tennis.

The finished scheme blends naturally with the rest of the site, balancing modern upgrades with a clear respect for the Club’s established look and feel.

A Build on an Extraordinary Scale

Delivering a project of this magnitude required formidable coordination. More than 400 specialists worked on site across 2018 and early 2019, contributing 2.2 million hours to ensure the stadium was ready for the No.1 Court Celebration on 19 May.

The scale of materials alone tells its own story:

2,300 tonnes of steel

130 km of electrical cable

40 miles of scaffolding

Sourced globally, every component was chosen for its strength, longevity and suitability for a world-leading event space. When the doors opened, the finished court was unveiled live on BBC One, accompanied by exhibition matches and appearances from tennis legends Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe. It was a celebration not only of sport, but of design, engineering and sheer human effort.

Selecting the Right Material

Among the many architectural considerations, one area called for particular precision — the walkway siding and façade materials. These surfaces would define the stadium’s approach routes and exterior feel, playing a crucial role in the visitor experience. The material needed to offer the warmth and familiarity of natural timber while delivering the resilience required for a venue that welcomes thousands of visitors each day.

After exploring a wide range of possibilities, the design team selected Millboard’s Shadow Line + Golden Oak siding. Its carefully crafted wood-grain appearance echoed the traditional charm of Wimbledon, while its performance credentials met the project’s high standards.

“Many different options were considered and discussed with the Club for the No.1 Court façade, but Millboard’s Shadow Line + siding in Golden Oak fitted the fundamental criteria of wood-look with minimal maintenance requirements.”

Garo Davidian, Technical Director at KSS Group

Golden Oak delivers a richly toned, natural look that blends beautifully with the surrounding architecture and landscape. More importantly, it resists fading, warping and weathering, even under heavy use and exposure. Its minimal maintenance needs meant the stadium could preserve its premium appearance without labor-intensive upkeep.

For a venue where precision, presentation and reliability are paramount, these qualities made Millboard siding the perfect match.

A Material That Complements a World Stage

What sets Millboard’s Shadow Line + siding in Golden Oak apart is the way it enhances a space without demanding attention. Around No.1 Court, it introduces warmth and tactility to the exterior architecture, softening the industrial strength of steel and the scale of the stadium. In crowded match days or quiet off-season moments, the material holds its own – stable, refined and consistent in appearance.

Visitors experience a space that feels visually harmonious with the wider grounds. Stadium staff benefit from reduced maintenance demands. And the design team achieves a finish that remains true to Wimbledon’s character while supporting its shift towards modern, sustainable performance materials.

A Proud Contribution to Wimbledon’s Future

The finished No.1 Court integrates naturally with the rest of the site and embodies everything the Master Plan set out to achieve: respect for heritage, commitment to enhancing the guest experience, and readiness for the decades to come.

Millboard is proud to have contributed to this landmark project – not just through product supply, but by helping shape the everyday experience of visitors from around the world. As millions arrive each summer, the siding of No.1 Court provides a dependable and attractive finish that performs reliably throughout the Championships and beyond.