The Nature Valley Birmingham Classic is one of two WTA 250 events played in the UK during the month of June. It’s a grass court tournament used by many of the top players on the WTA tour as a warm-up event leading up to Wimbledon Championships which take place later in the summer. As such, the event attracts some big names to the court and offers a fantastic experience for fans looking to get close to the action, so we’ve put together a guide to the event, with everything you’ll need for the perfect day at the Birmingham Classic.
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Birmingham Classic - Overview
| Event | Nature Valley Birmingham Classic |
| Tournament Level | WTA 250 |
| Tournament Dates | 12th – 20th June 2021 |
| Venue Address | Edgbaston Priory Club Sir Harrys Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2UZ |
| Official Website | LTA – Birmingham |
Where is the Birmingham Classic Played?
The Birmingham Classic is played at the Edgbaston Priory Club, which is one of the oldest tennis clubs in England. The club has state of the art facilities and a total of 31 tennis courts, including 8 grass courts which are used during the Birmingham Classic. Matches are played on the Ann Jones Centre Court and Courts 1-4 and there are an additional three courts used as practice courts.
Birmingham Classic Entry List 2021 - Who's Playing?
The LTA has confirmed a list of key players who will be taking part in this years event, led by British number 1 Johanna Konta, world number 15 Elise Mertens and teenage sensation Coco Gauff. Other big names on the entry list include former Birmingham Classic runner-up Donna Vekic, Tunisian favourite Ons Jabeur and Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Svetlana Kuznetsova.
British No.1⃣ ✅
— LTA (@the_LTA) May 19, 2021
Teenage sensation ✅
Former Grand Slam champions ✅
Check out the exciting line-up for #BirminghamClassic 👇
Birmingham Classic Draw 2021
Main draws for singles and doubles at the Viking Classic Birmingham, a WTA 250.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 13, 2021
Mertens, Jabeur, Vekic, and Kasatkina are the top seeds in singles.
Hsieh/Mertens and the Chans are the top seeds in doubles. pic.twitter.com/1ZuP7aQaYz
The draw for the 2021 Birmingham Classic was released on June 13th 2021.
Who Won the Birmingham Classic Last Year?
Last years event was cancelled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The year before that, in 2019, Ashleigh Barty defeated Julia Georges by 6–3, 7–5 to take home the singles title, while the number 2 seeds Hsieh Su-wei & Barbora Strýcová defeated Anna-Lena Grönefeld & Demi Schuurs by 6–4, 6–7(4–7), [10–8] to clinch the doubles title.
How to Get Birmingham Classic Tickets
Tickets for the Birmingham Classic are organised by the LTA. Unfortunately, tickets for the 2021 Birmingham Classic have already sold out!
Given the current COVID-19 restrictions in place in the UK, the Edgbaston Priory Club will be operating at 25% capacity, meaning that only a quarter of the usual number of tickets are on sale.
Getting to the Edgbaston Priory Club
The Edgbaston Priory Club is relatively easy to get to as it’s located close to Birmingham City Centre.
If you’re driving, follow directions for Priory School, where parking for the venue is available. The Public Car Park is right next to the Edgbaston Priory Club and is available from 9:00 am on a first come, first served basis. It’s open to the general public and costs £5 per day on Qualifying weekend, £10 per day the rest of the week or £50 for a weekly ticket. It’s worth knowing that advanced booking is not available.
If you’re travelling by train, Birmingham New Street is the closest you’ll get to the club. You’ll have to take either a taxi or the 47, 61 or 63 bus from St. Martin’s Queensway (Stop NS3) coming from Birmingham New Street. Get off at Sir Harry’s Road, which is just an 8 minute walk from the Edgbaston Priory Club.
Where to Stay for the Birmingham Classic
If you decide to stay overnight, there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation near the Edgbaston Priory Club. One of our favourites is the Edgbaston Park Hotel Birmingham because if its location, which makes it really easy to get to and from the tournament venue. If however you’re looking to stay in Birmingham City Centre, the Jurys Inn, the Radisson Blu Hotel and the Birmingham Marriot Hotel are all fantastic places to stay the night.
How to Watch the Birmingham Classic On TV
If you’ve been unable to get your hands on tickets for the event, you’ll be pleased to know that the 2021 Birmingham Classic will be broadcast live on the BBC’s Red Button or BBC Sport website and LTA social media accounts.
Featured Image by Peter Menzel via Flickr Creative Commons 4.0 Licensing.
