The Phase 3 gutter refurbishment at Wimbledon’s Centre Court and No. 1 Court showcases how Polyroof’s liquid waterproofing technology delivers precision, durability, and heritage sensitivity in one of the world’s most demanding sporting environments. The cold-applied Protec System enabled a seamless overlay of the existing membranes, providing a fully bonded, rapid-curing solution that met tight programme constraints ahead of the Championships. Its ability to conform naturally to intricate gutter profiles, junctions, and penetrations made it exceptionally well suited to this highly detailed project, while a bespoke Wimbledon green finish preserved the iconic appearance of both courts. The result is a discreet yet high-performance refurbishment that safeguards the structure, appearance, and legacy of these globally recognised sporting venues.
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The Challenge
Centre Court and No. 1 Court at Wimbledon are two of the most recognisable sporting structures in the world — architectural icons with over a century of sporting and cultural history. Centre Court, opened in 1922, has hosted generations of champions and defining moments that resonate far beyond the tennis world. No. 1 Court’s evolution since 1924, including its modern redevelopment and retractable roof, reflects Wimbledon’s long-standing approach to blending innovation with tradition. Any intervention on these structures must therefore protect not only their functionality but also their heritage and symbolism.
The gutters on both courts were experiencing failure within their existing single-ply membranes, creating a risk to drainage performance and underlying infrastructure. With the Championships scheduled for June 2025, the programme offered no flexibility: all works had to be completed well in advance, with zero disruption to the annual operations or preparation of the courts. The solution needed to be reliable, rapid to install, sensitive to heritage aesthetics, and capable of being phased around an active, internationally televised venue.
The gutters themselves presented further technical complexity. They include a wide range of intricate junctions, tight corners, changes in level, and penetrations that demanded a solution capable of achieving total encapsulation without altering or impacting the historic fabric. Logistically, the project also had to be delivered in phases around ongoing site activity, with unpredictable spring weather adding further constraint.
The Solution
A fully cold-applied liquid waterproofing approach was chosen to provide the required balance of precision, performance, and programme certainty. NSS Group specified the Polyroof Protec System, which allowed a direct overlay of the existing membranes following adhesion testing and the application of the Polyroof SP Primer.
The fluid nature of the Protec System enabled a continuous waterproofing layer to be formed across the full length of the gutters, seamlessly adapting to their intricate shapes. This was particularly important given the numerous changes in profile, internal corners, penetrations, the siphonic outlet system, and abutments that characterise Wimbledon’s gutter design.
Crucially, the system’s RapidCure technology enabled the team to progress efficiently through a phased installation programme. With cure times as low as 30 minutes, the contractors were able to work confidently around varying weather conditions and short application windows — a critical advantage during the British spring. This speed also ensured the works could be sequenced around ongoing court maintenance without interruption.
To maintain the venue’s historic identity, the system was colour-matched in Wimbledon’s distinctive green, delivering a finish that both protected and respected the courts’ architecture. The works were strategically phased to allow ongoing maintenance and preparation for the Championships to continue uninterrupted. The result was a heritage-sensitive, highly durable waterproofing solution that met both the technical demands of the gutters and the operational pressures of a world-class venue.
The Result
The completed refurbishment delivered a seamless, fully bonded waterproofing system that reinstated the gutters’ performance while preserving the courts’ iconic appearance. The Protec membrane blends subtly into the surroundings, maintaining the visual continuity of the gutter lines and supporting the broader architectural coherence of both courts.
With a monolithic finish and rapid curing, the system has enhanced long-term reliability and reduced future maintenance needs — essential for a site with strict operational windows and global visibility. The project demonstrates how modern liquid waterproofing can be integrated discreetly into heritage environments, providing high performance and aesthetic sensitivity without disruption.
The gutters are now fully prepared for the demands of the Championships and future seasons, ensuring these historic courts continue to operate and appear at their best.
