Walk-Up Courts and Sign-Up Sheets in NYC

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

At most NYC Parks courts, you just show up with a permit. NYC Parks’ rules give priority to a valid permit holder for that date and time, then to whoever arrived first. You get one hour for singles or two for doubles, and can keep playing if nobody’s waiting.

Unattended courts

  • If everyone’s waiting with a valid permit, it’s first come, first served. Your partners can join you even if they arrive later.
  • Your time starts when the first player begins.
  • Tennis has priority over pickleball and soccer-tennis.
  • Use no more than six balls per court, and wear smooth-soled shoes.

Attended courts

Check in with the attendant. NYC Parks says an online reservation is the way to guarantee access at these sites. On other courts, visit in person with your permit to reserve for the same day.

The Central Park sign-up

Central Park has the most detailed system, and it’s easy to lose your court if you don’t know it:

  1. Sign-up in person begins at 6:30am from April to November. Courts open at 7am.
  2. Bring photo ID. Doubles needs two players present to sign up.
  3. All players check in at least 15 minutes before the hour.
  4. Wait for the hourly bell before you go on. If you aren’t on court within the first 15 minutes, you lose it.
  5. A No Show list is called 10 minutes before the hour, followed by a Repeat List.

Central Park also limits you to three balls and four people per court. It doesn’t allow practicing serves alone, or running shoes on clay. Single plays there are cash only.

Where the walk-on courts are

At the eight reservation sites, the NYC Parks list shows the most walk-on courts at Central Park (26), Commonpoint at Alley Pond (15), and the two Riverside sites (10 each). The full list by borough shows the rest, and most of those have no reservations at all.

No permit at all

Hudson River Park has a line at the benches marked “Line Forms Here”. You have to stay in the line area to hold your place. See free courts.

If the courts are full

  • Tell waiting players when your hour started, since time runs from when the first player begins.
  • Have a backup site from the location list.
  • For a planned game, reserve at a site that allows it.

FAQ

Can someone without a permit play if the court’s empty?

NYC Parks requires a permit in season on its outdoor courts, so buy a single play first.

Do I have to leave after an hour?

Only if someone’s waiting. For doubles, the limit is two hours.

What if pickleball players are on the court?

NYC Parks gives tennis priority on unattended courts. Be polite and point to the rule.

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.

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