The Best Tennis Clubs in New York City (2026): Where to Actually Play

New York City tennis is famously good and famously hard to access. Public courts fill up in April and clear out in November. Private clubs cost a fortune and most have long waitlists. But there's more than you'd think between those two extremes — and the good clubs are worth the effort.

The Picks

1. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows

Home of the U.S. Open. 22 outdoor courts and 12 indoor, open to the public from October to August. The chance to play on courts where Serena, Federer, and the rest have competed. Booking can be tricky in summer; book a month ahead.

2. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, Roosevelt Island

12 indoor courts, the largest year-round facility in the city. Convenient from both Manhattan and Queens. Membership and pay-per-hour both available.

3. The Town Tennis Club, Sutton Place, Manhattan

One of the only members-only clubs in Manhattan itself, with rooftop courts overlooking the East River. Membership is competitive but the wait is shorter than people assume.

4. Sutton East Tennis Club, Manhattan

8 indoor courts under a bubble on the FDR Drive. Public access via pay-per-hour. Best indoor option in Manhattan for the price.

5. Riverside Clay Tennis Association, Upper West Side

10 outdoor red-clay courts in Riverside Park. Membership organization, $200 annual fee, lottery-based system. The best clay-court tennis in the city by a wide margin.

6. McCarren Park Tennis Center, Brooklyn

7 outdoor public courts, $15 per hour, walk-up bookable. The Brooklyn standard — not glamorous, but reliable.

7. Stadium Tennis Center, Bronx

10 indoor hard courts at the foot of Yankee Stadium. Strong junior program. The most overlooked serious tennis facility in the city.

8. Prospect Park Tennis Center, Brooklyn

7 outdoor public courts in Prospect Park. Permits via Parks Department; lottery system in summer. The most beautiful setting on this list.

9. The Crosstown Tennis Club, Chelsea

5 indoor courts on West 31st, walk-in availability most off-peak hours. The convenient option for Manhattan players who don't want to commute to Roosevelt Island.

10. Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, South Bronx

20 courts mixing indoor and outdoor, year-round access, strong public programming. Excellent option for parents introducing kids to the sport.

What to Bring

NYC tennis is a logistical game: hauling a racquet bag on the subway, juggling a court reservation with the rest of your day, often heading from a court directly to work or dinner. The right bag matters here more than at most clubs. A racquet bag that also functions as a backpack or commuter pack — like the All Court Backpack — doubles your bag's utility for the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I play tennis as a non-member in NYC?

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (public bookings October-August), Sutton East Tennis Club, Crosstown Tennis Club, and any NYC Parks Department court (McCarren, Prospect Park, Central Park) with a tennis permit.

How much does a tennis club membership cost in NYC?

Public membership at NYC Parks ($100/year for a season permit) up to $5,000+ annual at private members clubs. Most year-round private facilities fall in the $1,500-3,500 range.

What's the best public tennis court in NYC?

For surface quality, Riverside Clay Tennis Association ($200/year membership for clay courts). For free public courts, Central Park courts and McCarren Park courts are the most reliable.

For NYC players who commute by subway: All Court Backpack · Everyday Mini.