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Wimbledon Says No to Influencer Passes After US Open Fiasco
(MENAFN) Wimbledon will not create a separate accreditation category for influencers and content creators at next year's Championships, a decision that follows a wave of disruptive incidents at the US Open.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which runs the tournament, says it will also crack down on equipment like ring lights, confiscating any gear deemed likely to distract players or interfere with matches.
Influencers won't be barred from Wimbledon grounds — they can still attend as ordinary ticket holders. What they won't get is a dedicated media credential simply for being content creators.
The decision comes on the heels of controversy over crowd conduct at the US Open in New York, where roughly 100 creator media passes were handed out this year — nearly double the figure from when the credentialing program launched in 2025.
Trouble flared during Naomi Osaka's opening-round match against Anastasia Zakharova, when a group in a hospitality suite was filmed recording content and making noise mid-play, forcing the chair umpire to step in.
Separate video from the tournament captured spectators using flash photography and bright ring lights while play was underway.
The US Tennis Association later clarified that those responsible for disrupting the Osaka match were not part of its officially accredited creator program. In response, the association ramped up on-site signage and reached out directly to ticket and suite holders, reminding them that flash photography, ring lights and similar disruptions are against the rules.
Osaka argued that spectators bear responsibility for knowing how to behave at a sporting event. "If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport," she said. "I feel like it's common courtesy to read up on the sport, especially etiquette."
Wimbledon's current accreditation system already favors professional journalists and established media outlets, with the All England Club retaining full discretion over which applications are approved or denied.
The 2027 Championships are set to run from June 28 through July 11.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which runs the tournament, says it will also crack down on equipment like ring lights, confiscating any gear deemed likely to distract players or interfere with matches.
Influencers won't be barred from Wimbledon grounds — they can still attend as ordinary ticket holders. What they won't get is a dedicated media credential simply for being content creators.
The decision comes on the heels of controversy over crowd conduct at the US Open in New York, where roughly 100 creator media passes were handed out this year — nearly double the figure from when the credentialing program launched in 2025.
Trouble flared during Naomi Osaka's opening-round match against Anastasia Zakharova, when a group in a hospitality suite was filmed recording content and making noise mid-play, forcing the chair umpire to step in.
Separate video from the tournament captured spectators using flash photography and bright ring lights while play was underway.
The US Tennis Association later clarified that those responsible for disrupting the Osaka match were not part of its officially accredited creator program. In response, the association ramped up on-site signage and reached out directly to ticket and suite holders, reminding them that flash photography, ring lights and similar disruptions are against the rules.
Osaka argued that spectators bear responsibility for knowing how to behave at a sporting event. "If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport," she said. "I feel like it's common courtesy to read up on the sport, especially etiquette."
Wimbledon's current accreditation system already favors professional journalists and established media outlets, with the All England Club retaining full discretion over which applications are approved or denied.
The 2027 Championships are set to run from June 28 through July 11.
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