Tennis participation in the U.S. has grown by more than 33% since 2020, with over 24 million Americans playing the sport in 2024, according to data. But while more people are picking up rackets, one thing hasn’t kept pace: access to courts. And for many players, that’s becoming a serious barrier to actually getting on the court.
Some cities offer well-maintained, easy-to-book public courts within walking distance. Others? Long wait times, broken nets, locked gates, or zero visibility into court availability. The result is an uneven playing field, literally, especially for beginners, casual players, and communities without private club access.
TennisPAL was built to bridge that gap. As a mobile app and community platform, it connects players with accessible tennis courts, local partners, and real-time scheduling, all designed to take the guesswork out of finding a place to play.
In this article, we’re breaking down 2025’s latest court availability data to show where people can actually play tennis across the U.S. From court-to-population ratios to public vs. private access, we’ll map out the best and hardest cities for tennis players right now, and how you can still find a spot near you.
Why Court Availability Matters in 2025
Tennis is having a moment. According to the Tennis Industry Association, participation in the U.S. jumped by more than 33% between 2019 and 2024, adding over 6 million new players to the courts. While that’s great news for the sport, the physical infrastructure hasn’t scaled with demand.
Across many cities, public courts remain unchanged in number, or in poor shape, despite growing interest. In fact, several metro areas reported wait times of 45 minutes or more during peak hours in 2024. And the squeeze is only getting tighter.
A major contributor to the crowding? Pickleball. The sport has exploded with over 13.6 million players in the U.S. as of early 2025, and many parks departments have re-striped or repurposed tennis courts for dual use. While efficient, it’s added direct competition for court space, especially in cities where real estate is already stretched thin.
Without proper planning and investment, that growing popularity turns into frustration. For many players, especially those without private club access, showing up at a public court often feels like a gamble.
Access Affects Who Can Actually Play
Court availability isn’t just an inconvenience, it directly impacts who gets to participate. Players in well-served neighborhoods can maintain a consistent routine. But in areas with low court density or poor maintenance, even motivated players struggle to find time and space to play.
The issue runs deeper in underserved communities. Many lack safe, well-maintained public courts, and few offer lighting or reservation systems. Without reliable access, beginners often give up early, and youth programs lose their impact.
Consistent access helps players stick with the game, build skill, and stay active. In contrast, a lack of available courts sidelines interest before it ever has the chance to grow.
The next section takes a data-driven look at which U.S. states are doing the best, and worst, at meeting the demand for courts in 2025.
National Tennis Court Availability Snapshot (2025)
Court access looks very different depending on where you live, and the latest 2025 data shows that not all states are keeping pace with growing tennis demand. Some regions have invested heavily in public infrastructure, while others rely on private courts that limit everyday access for casual players.
Average Courts Per 10,000 Residents by State
Below is a snapshot of how many tennis courts are available per 10,000 residents in select U.S. states, using aggregated public park and recreation department data:
State
Courts per 10,000 Residents
Wisconsin
6.4
Oregon
5.8
North Carolina
5.6
California
4.1
Texas
3.5
Florida
3.3
New York
2.9
Illinois
2.5
Mississippi
1.6
Louisiana
1.4
States like Wisconsin, Oregon, and North Carolina stand out for offering more public courts per capita, making tennis more accessible at the community level. In contrast, Mississippi and Louisiana fall well below the national average, which makes consistent play far more difficult, especially for beginners without club access.
Public vs. Private Courts: What’s Really Available?
Raw court numbers can be misleading without knowing how many are actually available to the public. According to a 2025 report, only about 62% of tennis courts nationwide are open to the public. The rest sit behind locked gates, at private clubs, homeowners associations, or schools with limited community access.
In cities with large court totals but a high concentration of private facilities, the perceived access gap grows wider. For example:
New York City has a large number of total courts but restricts many through membership-only clubs or limited public hours.
Austin, TX, by contrast, has fewer courts overall, but a much higher percentage are public, reservable, and free.
For players trying to maintain a consistent tennis habit, the type of access matters more than the court count.
The Urban vs. Suburban Divide
Location also plays a critical role in how accessible tennis really is. Urban residents often face:
Long waits at high-traffic courts
Lack of real-time reservation systems
Poor court maintenance or lighting
A need to travel across neighborhoods just to find a playable spot
Meanwhile, many suburban or affluent communities enjoy:
Well-kept courts within walking or biking distance
HOA or private club facilities with easier scheduling
Ample parking and amenities like ball machines or practice walls
The result is a lopsided experience: tennis is a breeze in some ZIP codes and a logistical headache in others. The next section will highlight which U.S. cities are getting it right—and where tennis players are still struggling to find space.
Top 10 U.S. Cities With the Best Tennis Court Availability
Some cities are stepping up to meet growing demand for court time—with smart planning, strong public infrastructure, and easy booking systems. These aren’t necessarily the biggest tennis hubs by reputation, but they’re the places where players can reliably play, without long waits or locked gates.
Using a mix of public data, city recreation stats, and insights from TennisPAL users, here are 10 cities that stand out in 2025 for tennis court availability:
1. Austin, TX
Austin combines quantity with user-friendly access. With an average of 5.2 courts per 10,000 residents, most located in public parks, players can find courts across neighborhoods. The city also uses online booking for several high-traffic locations, cutting down wait times and walk-up uncertainty.
2. Raleigh, NC
Raleigh consistently earns praise from locals for its well-distributed and well-kept public courts. Dozens of free, lighted courts are available through Wake County Parks, and the city offers online reservations across several facilities. Court density is high relative to population, and maintenance remains solid.
3. Portland, OR
Portland’s court-to-population ratio is strong, with 4.9 public courts per 10,000 residents. Most city-owned courts are open access, and neighborhood parks often feature multiple hard courts. Many locations also include practice walls, which are helpful for solo players and warm-ups.
4. Irvine, CA
While California’s big cities often struggle with access, Irvine is an outlier. The city manages over 80 public courts, including many that are lighted, surfaced regularly, and available through a streamlined reservation portal. Court conditions rank among the best in Southern California.
5. Madison, WI
With a strong tennis culture and manageable population size, Madison offers 6+ courts per 10,000 residents—one of the highest in the country. Nearly all are public, free to use, and updated seasonally. Access is easy even in peak months, especially in neighborhood parks outside the city core.
6. Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale’s desert climate supports year-round play, and the city capitalizes on it with well-funded recreation centers and tennis-specific park facilities. Public courts are clean, accessible, and supported by digital reservations in most high-use areas.
7. Lincoln, NE
A surprising standout, Lincoln offers a high volume of public courts compared to its size. The city maintains more than 70 public courts, many of which have recently been resurfaced. Traffic remains light outside weekend peak hours.
8. Durham, NC
Close behind Raleigh, Durham supports its active tennis community with solid court coverage and regular upkeep. Many facilities offer free walk-up access, and the city has invested in lighting upgrades and signage for clearer court availability.
9. Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City has prioritized public recreation, and tennis benefits directly. The parks department has upgraded dozens of courts in the last five years, with a mix of hard and clay surfaces across metro areas. Some courts now include app-based reservations as part of a larger smart-park initiative.
10. Columbus, OH
Columbus rounds out the list with broad geographic court coverage and strong support from both the city and local high schools. Many school courts are open to the public during non-school hours, and the city lists real-time schedules through its parks department portal.
5 U.S. Cities Where Tennis Courts Are Scarce (and What Locals Can Do)
Not every city has kept pace with the surge in tennis participation. In several major metros, players face chronic challenges just trying to get on a court, despite a strong appetite for the game. From aging infrastructure to lack of scheduling systems, the roadblocks can be discouraging. But with the right strategies, players in these underserved cities can still find ways to stay active.
1. New York City, NY
New York has a vast tennis community, but access is severely limited by overcrowding and restrictive scheduling. Most public courts require a seasonal permit, and availability varies wildly between boroughs. Many courts are in poor condition or lack basic amenities like lighting or fencing.
Workaround: Check for school or university courts during off-hours, especially in the summer. Some community centers also offer first-come, first-served courts early in the morning.
2. San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s dense layout and limited park space make court access a real challenge. Many facilities have been repurposed for other sports or closed due to poor maintenance. Public courts are few and often booked solid through the city’s online system.
Workaround: Explore nearby areas like Daly City or Oakland, where court traffic is lighter. Some local YMCAs and tennis clubs offer guest passes or short-term memberships.
3. Miami, FL
Despite its tennis legacy and warm weather, Miami struggles with reliable public court access. While some courts are free, many have no lighting or aren’t maintained regularly. Booking systems are rare, leading to long waits—especially on weekends.
Workaround: Look for underused courts in residential neighborhoods or school facilities open to the public after hours. Calling ahead can help avoid wasted trips.
4. Chicago, IL
Chicago has a large number of courts, but many are concentrated in the suburbs. Within the city, players often deal with cracked surfaces, missing nets, and a lack of real-time availability info. Winter weather also shrinks access to indoor-only venues, which often require memberships.
Workaround: Indoor public recreation centers and university facilities sometimes open courts to non-students with a daily fee. Early morning weekday sessions offer the best shot at availability.
5. Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia’s tennis infrastructure hasn’t kept up with rising demand. Many courts, especially in lower-income areas, are poorly maintained or sit unused due to lack of lighting and upkeep. Public access can also be restricted due to seasonal closures.
Workaround: Use community apps like TennisPAL to connect with other local players who know hidden or underused spots. Several nonprofits also run pop-up events that bring temporary access to safe play spaces.
Each of these cities shows that high interest in tennis doesn’t always translate to real-world access. But with a little research, and a few creative workarounds, locals can still find time on court. The next section walks through exactly how to locate and book available courts in 2025, including digital tools that simplify the process.
How to Find and Book Available Tennis Courts in 2025
With court availability varying so widely by city, players need practical ways to discover and reserve court time without constant guesswork. Whether you’re planning a match, meeting a coach, or just looking for a quiet solo hit, finding open courts shouldn’t require luck or local insider knowledge.
Below are the most effective tools and strategies for securing a playable court in 2025.
Using TennisPAL to Book and Discover Courts
TennisPAL simplifies the search for nearby courts with a built-in Court Locator that’s directly tied to its community platform. Users can:
Search by location, surface type, or court type (public/private).
Check court details like lighting, reservation options, or surface condition.
Schedule matches or practice sessions with players in your network.
TennisPAL also lets users connect directly with others playing at the same facility, making it easier to find partners or join casual hitting sessions.
Other Resources for Court Discovery
While TennisPAL is a comprehensive all-in-one option, players can combine it with a few additional platforms to widen their reach, especially in cities without centralized booking systems.
City Parks & Recreation Websites Many cities maintain basic listings of public courts, often with reservation details and seasonal updates.
Google Maps (with caution) Searching “tennis courts near me” will surface nearby options, but reviews and status updates are often outdated or incorrect. Always double-check details.
Local Facebook Groups or Tennis Communities Regional groups can be a goldmine for lesser-known courts, updates on temporary closures, and first-hand tips from players in your area.
Pro Tips for Securing a Spot
Court traffic often follows predictable patterns. A few simple adjustments can help you avoid peak congestion and land a court without stress:
Play early or midday Weekday mornings (before 9 a.m.) and midday hours (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) are usually the least crowded.
Use apps that send availability alerts Set up notifications for openings at courts you frequent. TennisPAL and some city rec sites offer this feature.
Try less popular surfaces Be open to clay, turf, or indoor hard courts. Many players default to standard outdoor hard courts, so alternatives are more likely to be available.
Finding open courts used to mean driving around hoping to get lucky. Now, with the right tools—and a bit of timing—players can reliably find and book a court that fits their schedule. Up next, we’ll look at how U.S. cities are investing in court infrastructure to support the next wave of tennis growth.
What the Future Holds for Tennis Infrastructure in the U.S.
As participation keeps climbing, cities and park systems are under pressure to respond with long-term investments. Some are stepping up, with funding directed toward court restoration, expansion, and tech integration, but the scale of change is uneven across the country.
Public Investments Are Slowly Catching Up
Several cities have launched or expanded tennis infrastructure projects over the past two years. In 2024, Los Angeles allocated $9.8 million toward public court renovations and lighting upgrades (City of LA Parks & Rec). Other metros like Atlanta, Phoenix, and Minneapolis are also reinvesting in courts as part of larger park system improvements.
New courts are being added in both urban parks and suburban school partnerships, often tied to youth programs or adult league demand. But timelines are slow, and many underserved neighborhoods are still waiting for basic repairs.
Smart Technology Is Entering the Court
A growing number of cities are turning to tech to manage demand more efficiently. Features like:
Online reservation portals
Motion-activated lighting systems
Court sensors to track usage patterns
…are starting to appear in pilot programs or as part of facility upgrades. These systems allow for real-time data, smoother booking, and better upkeep scheduling. Cities like Seattle and Austin are already testing these integrations to reduce wear-and-tear and optimize availability.
The big unknown is whether growth will outpace these improvements, or if smarter systems can help cities stretch limited space further.
How TennisPAL Is Helping Improve Court Access
While infrastructure evolves slowly, TennisPAL gives players immediate control over their access. The app connects users with public and private courts nearby, surfaces real-time availability (where data is supported), and lets players coordinate matches with others at the same location.
More importantly, TennisPAL helps surface underused courts that often go overlooked. By empowering users to share reviews, tag open spaces, and coordinate small events, the app helps communities unlock more playable space, without waiting on new construction.
In cities with limited access, this type of peer-powered discovery can make the difference between sitting out or getting on court.
Conclusion
Court access remains one of the most important, but uneven, factors in tennis participation. Cities like Madison and Raleigh show what’s possible with strong planning. Others, including New York and Miami, still face major bottlenecks.
Whether you’re in a well-equipped metro or constantly competing for space, TennisPAL can help you navigate availability, connect with other players, and make the most of the courts around you.
Don’t wait for the next construction cycle, download TennisPAL, explore your local options, and take control of your tennis schedule today.
