USTA Leagues in NYC: How to Join a Metro Team

Updated October 2026. Tennis City NYC › New York City Tennis Guides

To play a USTA league in New York City, you need a current USTA membership ($44 a year for adults, $42 at 70 and over), a valid NTRP rating, and a team in the Metro Region, which covers the five boroughs. You must be at least 18. Captains recruit players, so finding a captain is usually the real work.

Step by step

Join USTA. The national regulations require membership through the whole local season.
Get a rating. If you have no valid rating, the regulations require you to self-rate. See how to rate yourself.
Find a team. Ask the Metro coordinator: Ainslie Ellis, 914-260-9510, [email protected]. You can also ask around in our Slack group; see finding a partner.
Register before you play. The 2026 Metro rules have every player register through TennisLink. If an unregistered player plays, points won on that court are reversed.

Which league fits

USTA Eastern organizes leagues by NTRP level and age:

Adult: age groups such as 18 & Over and 40 & Over at a set level, for example 18 & Over 3.0 Men’s.
Mixed: men and women on the same team.
Tri-Level: three doubles courts at three levels.
Flex: run through the USTA Flex App in Metro. Ask the coordinator how it works near you.

Winning teams can advance from regional to sectional play, then to nationals in the fall.

Metro rules worth knowing

These come from the 2026 Metro local rules, and rules can change by season.

Roster: up to 24 players. A team can add a player until the final match of the regular season.
Level: you can play at your NTRP level or one level above. 18 & Over and 40 & Over leagues need at least half the roster at the league level, or 40% in two-team leagues.
One team: you can play on only one team per age group and NTRP level in a local season.
Refunds: a refund, credit or transfer is possible only by the registration deadline, and only if you have not played a match.
Match size: 18 & Over at 3.0 to 4.5 uses five courts, and 2.5 and 5.0 use three. 40 & Over uses four. 55 & Over, 65 & Over, Mixed and Tri-Level use three.
Scoring: best two of three sets, with a tiebreak to 10 in place of a third set.
Schedule: adult leagues schedule at least six matches.

Dates and fees

We couldn’t confirm Metro’s 2027 registration dates or its per-player league fee from a USTA page. Ask the coordinator, and check your team’s share of court costs with the captain before you commit.

FAQ

What if I can’t find a team?

Ask the coordinator about teams that need players, and about Flex Leagues in Metro.

Can a 17-year-old play?

No. The regulations set a minimum age of 18.

Do I need my rating before I join a team?

You need a valid rating to register. Captains are expected to check your playing background before you self-rate, so talk to them first.

Looking for someone to play with? Join the Tennis City NYC Slack group and post a day, time and court at your NTRP level. It is free now; new members pay $5 a year after the 200th member.