Updated October 2026. Tennis City NYC › New York City Tennis Guides
From the first Saturday in April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, every player on an NYC Parks outdoor court needs a permit. You can buy a season permit ($100 for ages 18 to 61) or a $15 single play. A permit gets you on the court, but it doesn’t reserve one.
Some park pages say the season starts April 1. Check with NYC Parks if you plan to play in the first days of April.
The permit types
| Permit | Who | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full season | Ages 18 to 61 | $100, or 10% off with IDNYC |
| Full season | 62 and over | $20 |
| Full season | Under 18 | $10 |
| Single play | Anyone | $15 |
Season fees stay the same late in the season, with no refunds or transfers. A replacement costs $15 for adults and seniors, and $6 for youth. See season permit or single play to compare.
What a permit covers
- Single play: one hour of singles or two hours of doubles, on any city court in any borough.
- Priority: on unattended courts, a valid permit holder for that date and time has priority.
- Not a reservation: reserving costs another $15 per court per hour at eight sites.
- Not indoor courts: NYC Parks says indoor tennis doesn’t require a permit and has separate pricing. See winter and indoor tennis.
How to buy a season permit
- Online or by mail: allow up to three weeks for a mailed permit.
- In person: at borough permit offices, weekdays 9am to 4pm, at Central Park, Prospect Park, Alley Pond and Randall’s Island centers, or at Paragon Sports, 867 Broadway at 18th St, daily 11am to 7pm. Paragon stops issuing permits 30 minutes before closing.
- Bring: proof of age and photo ID. NYC Parks takes a digital photo.
- Payment: credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Amex), check or money order. The Manhattan office also takes cash.
The office addresses are in single-play permits.
How courts use your permit
- Attended courts: check in with the attendant.
- Unattended courts: see walk-up rules. Tennis has priority over pickleball and soccer-tennis.
- Concession sites: permit courts vary by season and operator. Courts by borough links each site’s details.
FAQ
Do I need one after the season ends?
NYC Parks states the requirement only for the season. Don’t assume nets stay up in winter, so check in person first.
Can a visitor buy one?
The permit page doesn’t list a residency requirement for single plays. See visiting New York.
Is Randall’s Island different?
Yes. NYC Parks says players must affiliate with Sportime as an associate or non-member and complete a waiver. Its listed hours also differ between pages, so call before an early or late session.
Related guides
- New York City Tennis Guides
- NYC Tennis: Season Permit or Single Play?
- How to Reserve a Tennis Court in NYC
- Walk-Up Courts and Sign-Up Sheets in NYC
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.