Barclays Is Serving an Ace at Wimbledon This Summer

With just two weeks until Wimbledon officially opens its gates on Monday July 3rd, Barclays today unveils plans for their debut year as the Official Banking Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon. From creating unmissable experiences for fans to supporting young people in the community, the bank, who work with M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, kicks off their multi-year deal with a jam-packed first event.

Barclays has created three destinations to bring unforgettable moments to Wimbledon and the experience starts before getting into the Grounds.

Barclays Clubhouse in the Queue will sweeten up fans’ waiting experience with delightful moments, such as umpire greeters, dressing room pop ups and other fan surprises. Barclays customers will also be served free refreshing juices in the Deuce Bar, a collaboration with Unreasonable Impact company CLUBZERØ, whose award-winning reusable cups will be washed and re-distributed daily throughout the tournament1. Fans looking to test their tennis skills can also take on World No.10, Frances Tiafoe, in the simulator experience ‘Take on Tiafoe’, which gives fans the chance to return a serve from Frances’ actual winning games. 

Within the Grounds, the Barclays Fanzone will let fans get up close to greatness, with appearances and exclusive Q&As with tennis stars, as well as immersive photo opportunities.

Barclays Clubhouse Parkside is the premier destination for fan experiences with prizes to be won – from tickets to merchandise and more. Here, all fans can also learn about the future of farming at 80 Acres Farms’ vertical strawberry installation, another Unreasonable Impact alumni, and recipient of investment from Barclays’ Sustainable Impact Capital.

Barclays will have the perks rolling for their customers during the tournament, including free strawberries and cream throughout the Grounds, free refreshing juices in Barclays Clubhouse Deuce Bar, complimentary Wimbledon official programmes for the first 200 premier customers visiting a Barclays zone each day, and the chance to win prizes at Barclays Clubhouse Parkside.

Frances Tiafoe was recently announced as Barclays’ tennis ambassador, alongside award-winning presenter, and broadcaster, Clare Balding. Frances will also be the subject of a global TV advert, created by Barclays that will tell the 25-year-old’s extraordinary story and the many partners who have helped him along the way. The short film brings to life his journey from a young child and son of Sierra Leonean immigrants in Hyattsville, Maryland learning to play tennis at the JTCC in suburban Washington, D.C., to where he is today – a Grand Slam semi-finalist and Top 10 player.

Frances Tiafoe said: “Wimbledon is everything. Growing up when I was a kid hitting a ball against the wall and dreaming, I was always imagining playing at Wimbledon. I hope by doing what I love and (hopefully) continuing to have good results that I can inspire kids that look like me, that are growing up in challenging situations, to take up sports, to take up tennis.”

Barclays’ close partnership with Wimbledon goes well beyond the event. With community at the heart of the partnership, Barclays supports the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the All England Club and The Championships, with an annual donation that is the biggest ever made by an official partner. 

This will support, in part, the Wimbledon Foundation’s Set for Success programme, a two-year youth leadership programme delivered by Youth Sport Trust. Set for Success is designed to provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK with the opportunity to develop life and leadership skills through mentoring sessions delivered by inspirational athletes.

Through Barclays’ contribution, Set for Success will expand from 15 schools in four regions to 150 schools in 30 regions within just four years, benefitting up to 3,900 pupils across the UK. 

Barclays will also be supporting the Wimbledon Foundation’s famous ticket resale programme which, since its inception in 1954, has raised more than £4m for charity. Proceeds from the resale of used tickets are distributed via the Wimbledon Foundation’s grant programmes to charities and community organisations.

Tom Corbett, group head of sponsorship and media at Barclays, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing our partnership with Wimbledon to life for the first time for tennis fans to enjoy. Our joint commitment to create opportunities through programmes such as Set for Success means our partnership can deliver a deep and long-lasting impact for young people across the country.”

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