Last summer’s craze is now a full blown sensation here in NYC, and pickleball has taken over the sports scene here in the city! After the smashing success of Wollman Rink’s pickleball court in Central Park last summer, new courts have popped up all around NYC, making it accessible as ever to play the emerging sport!
Whether you’re a beginner looking to get your toes wet or a full on player, here’s where to play pickleball in NYC right now!
1. Wollman Rink
Returning for another year, Wollman Rink in Central Park has been transformed into 14 pickleball courts for the summer! It’s the largest pickleball installation in the entire Northeast, and it’s open seven days a week from 8 am – 9 pm, from now through early fall. Learn more about the court and plan your visit here!
2. CityPickle
CityPickle is a fairly new pickleball destination that opened up in Long Island City last year…and has hosted tons of other pop-up courts around NYC too (Central Park, Industry City, TWA Hotel). The women-owned flagship in Queens is one of the most pristine spots to play the game, meet new people, take classes, and share some tacos and margaritas too.
The LIC flagship hosts 4 climate controlled courts as well as a restaurant and bar…which makes it equally social as it does fun! Learn more about CityPickle and book your court spot here.
Where: 9-03 44th Rd, Queens
3. Court 16
Court 16 has three different locations in FiDi, Downtown Brooklyn and Long Island City, and their facilities are world class! The private pickleball and tennis club offers all kinds of pickleball options including beginning and intermediate clinics, open play, and private 60 minute court rentals.
Learn more about Court 16 and membership options here!
Where:
Downtown Brooklyn – 445 Albee Square W, Suite 4-500, Brooklyn
Long Island City – 13-06 Queens Plaza South, Queens
FiDi – 28 Liberty St SC1
4. PENN 1
Seven brand new indoor pickleball courts just oepend at PENN 1 in Midtown! The 36,000 square-foot expansion features lounge seating and a bar as well to accompany the pickleball experience! A Premier Membership with leading NYC gym Life Time is required to play at these luxurious new courts! Learn more about the courts coming soon here.
Where: 250 W 34th St
5. Pier 2 – Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is home to many pickleball courts, which are available for open play only, on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the park’s website “games should be limited to one game to 11, win by 1; waiting players should stack their paddles in a single line (left to right) to claim the next open court.”
It’s one of our favorite outdoor pickleball courts in NYC…and did we mention the Manhattan skyline views…
Where: Pier 2, Brooklyn Bridge Park
6. Life Time
The same gym behind the new pickleball courts at PENN 1 is Life Time’s original pickleball courts at their Sky location on the corner of corner of 42nd and 11th. These two courts were actually the first indoor courts in NYC and debuted back in February 2023. Similarly, a Premiere Membership to the gym is required to play on these courts! Learn more here.
Where: 605 W 42nd St
7. SportimeNY – Randall’s Island
Sportime on Randall’s Island is also one of our favorite places to play regular tennis, but they also have over 60 pickleball courts and some of the greatest access to the sport in the Tri-State area! This facility offers just about anything you can imagine, ranging from social and comeptitive pickle ball progams to private lessons, open leagues, court rentals, and so much more. Learn more about pickleball at Sportime here!
Where: 1 Randalls Island
8. Brookfield Place
From June 4 – 23, a pop-up court will come to Brookfield Place where pickleball players can play for free! Court reservations can be made for up to 30 minutes for 4 people at a time, with hours being 11 am – 7! Learn more and reserve your slot here.
Where: 230 Vesey St.
9. Outdoor Manhattan courts
Let’s get into our favorite free outdoor pickleball courts, starting in Manhattan! These parks and playgrounds are the best places to bring your paddles on a nice day:
- Riverside Park
- James J Walker Park, Greenwich Village
- Roosevelt Island
- William F. Passannante Ballfield (Houston & 6th), West Village
- Carl Schurz Park, Yorkville
- St. Vartan Handball Courts, Murray Hill
- Happy Warrior Playground, UWS
- Chelsea Piers
- Dewitt Clinton Park, Hell’s Kitchen
- Central Park North Meadow Handball Courts, Central Park West
10. Outdoor Brooklyn courts
Moving onto Brooklyn, here are some of our favorite pickleball courts where you can play on a first-come first-served basis. Check them out below:
- Marine Park, Sheepshead Bay
- McCarren Park, Williamsburg
- Pier 2 Handball Courts, Brooklyn Heights
- Dean St. Playground, Prospect Heights
11. Outdoor Queens courts
For our folks in Queens looking for a game of pickleball, head to one of these outdoor courts:
- Astoria Park, Astoria
- Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, Rockaways
- Frank Principe Park, Maspeth
- Louis C. Moser Park, Jackson Heights
12. Outdoor The Bronx courts
In terms of pickleball in The Bronx, our favorite spot is Van Cortlandt Park, but remember to bring your own net!