Updated October 2026. Tennis City NYC › New York City Tennis Guides
Buy the season permit if you’ll play at least seven sessions on NYC Parks courts between April and November. At $100 for ages 18 to 61, it costs less than seven $15 single plays ($105). With the 10% IDNYC discount, $90 pays off on your sixth session. Otherwise, stick with single plays.
Break-even by age
| Player | Season permit | Pays off on session |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 61 | $100 | 7 |
| 18 to 61, with IDNYC | $90 | 6 |
| 62 and over | $20 | 2 |
| Under 18 | $10 | 1 |
A session is calculated at one single play: one hour of singles or two hours of doubles. If you’re 62 or older, or under 18, the season permit is the better buy almost every time.
Buying late in the season
NYC Parks charges the same fee all season, and doesn’t refund or transfer permits. To decide in the second half of the year, count the playing weeks left before the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Seven more sessions is still the adult break-even, whatever the date.
When the season permit makes sense
- You play weekly from spring to fall. Seven sessions is about two months of weekly play.
- You don’t want to find a place selling single plays before each game, since you can’t buy one online for the same day.
- You often play on walk-on courts, which need no extra fee.
When single plays make sense
- You’re visiting, or play a few times a year.
- You mainly play at Hudson River Park’s free courts, or at indoor clubs, which don’t need a permit.
- You’ve just moved here and don’t yet know how often you’ll play. You can buy a season permit later at the same price.
What neither one covers
Neither one reserves a court. Reservations cost $15 per court per hour with either permit. A reserved adult session on a season permit still adds $15 a court, and those fees don’t count toward the break-even above.
FAQ
How do I get the IDNYC discount?
NYC Parks lists it as 10% off the adult full-season permit. Bring your IDNYC if you’re buying in person, and check the application if you’re buying online.
Can my partner use my permit?
No. Every player needs their own, and permits aren’t transferable.
What if I lose it?
A replacement costs $15 for adults and seniors, and $6 for youth.
Related guides
- New York City Tennis Guides
- How NYC Tennis Permits Work
- NYC Single-Play Tennis Permits: Costs and Where to Buy
- New to New York? A Tennis Starter Guide
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.