Roula Khalaf, Editor of the Financial Times, curates her favorite stories in this insightful weekly newsletter, highlighting significant developments in various sectors.In a bold move aimed at financing an ambitious building project, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has announced a staggering 59% increase in the price of debenture seats for Number 1 Court during the Wimbledon Championships. This price hike reflects not only the growing demand for premium seats at one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world but also the club’s intentions to enhance its facilities further.Debenture seats are considered tradeable assets that are regulated under the oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority. Holding a debenture grants individuals a guaranteed seat at the venue's second most esteemed court during the championship matches, along with exclusive access to high-end hospitality options available from 2027 to 2031. The AELTC announced that the window for purchasing these debentures will close in May. The new price is set at £73,000, which marks a significant increase from the £46,000 price tag seen during their last issuance in 2021, and a relative leap from £31,000 in 2016.With a total of 1,250 debenture seats slated for sale, this move is expected to generate around £75 million for the AELTC, which has the distinguished honor of running the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament in history. In a previous sale, the club sold 2,520 Centre Court debentures at an impressive price of £116,000 each, raising a remarkable £239 million in total. Debentures were first introduced by the AELTC in 1920 and have historically traded at a premium above their issue price. Remarkably, the latest No 1 Court debentures were trading at £36,000 as recently as last month, even though they only grant access to the next two editions of the tournament. Conversely, the new Centre Court debentures, which allow access starting next year through to 2030, have been changing hands at a slight discount, currently priced around £109,000.While it’s common practice for 90% of profits from the two-week Wimbledon event to be allocated to the Lawn Tennis Association, the regulatory body governing tennis in Great Britain, proceeds from debenture sales typically serve as funding for the improvement of club facilities. This includes substantial investments such as the installation of a roof on the main show courts, enhancing the overall visitor experience.This latest sale comes in anticipation of a major expansion initiative known as the Wimbledon Park Project, which is poised to significantly increase the size of the venue located in south-west London. The expansion plan will add 39 grass courts, introduce a new 8,000-seat show court, and develop a new park on land owned by the AELTC that was previously utilized by a private golf club. However, the proposal has faced backlash from local residents and Members of Parliament, who argue that the expansion will encroach on community space without providing sufficient benefits in return. Despite these concerns, the Mayor of London’s office granted formal approval for the project last year, which is expected to take approximately eight years to reach completion.Currently, Wimbledon stands as the smallest of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, with total attendance last year reaching 526,455, a figure notably lower than the 1.2 million individuals who attended the Australian Open in Melbourne earlier this year.Upon completion of the expansion, the AELTC anticipates an increase in daily venue capacity from 42,000 to 50,000, in addition to relocating the week-long qualifying rounds to the main site. At present, these qualifying matches are conducted at a separate venue located in Roehampton, south-west London.In the meantime, to bolster revenue, Wimbledon has also experimented with offering more luxurious experiences designed for affluent tennis fans. Last year, for instance, the event featured a pop-up version of the renowned — and now-closed — London restaurant Le Gavroche. With one-day tickets, which included access to Centre Court, starting at a staggering £2,765 per person, it’s clear that Wimbledon is positioning itself as a premier destination for high-end sporting experiences.