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Courts.

Visitor guide · Chicago

Where to Play Tennis in Chicago

No app. No booking. Just get there before the next person. 123 places in Chicago run first come, first served.

The Park District runs every court on our list, and its rule fits in one sentence. Without a permit or rental, the courts are open to everyone, first come, first served.

We checked 125 places to play across 64 neighborhoods. 123 take no booking. 2 do. This guide tells you which is which.

Venue facts last checked October 7, 2026. Park District pages checked October 14, 2026.

123
first come, first served
2
take bookings
9
within 5 km of Grant Park
6
courts at Grant Park

Start in Grant Park

Grant Park is in the Loop, by the lake. Its courts take no booking. Turn up and wait your turn.

Courts

6

data.cityofchicago.org, read 2026-10-07
Hours

Park hours 6:00 am-11:00 pm, every day (the hours the Park District lists for the park; court hours are not stated)

chicagoparkdistrict.com, read 2026-10-07

Someone with a permit or rental has the court for their time. Everyone else goes first come, first served.

Want a court at a set time, guaranteed? The Park District says that takes a permit or rental.

Full details

Maggie Daley Park: reserve a court

Just north, Maggie Daley Park works differently. The Park District points you to reserving a court there.

Address

337 E. Randolph, Chicago, IL 60601

chicagoparkdistrict.com, read 2026-10-07
Hours

Park hours 6:00 am-9:00 pm, every day (the hours the Park District lists for the park; court hours are not stated)

chicagoparkdistrict.com, read 2026-10-07

For more information, the Park District gives (312) 742-7651. Its page does not say whether you can walk on when nobody has reserved. Ask when you call.

Reserve at Maggie DaleyFull details

The closest courts to Grant Park

Grant Park busy? These are the nearest places on our list, closest first.

  1. Roosevelt (Theodore) Park0.8 km from Grant Park

    Loop

    • Courts: 3
  2. Maggie Daley Park1.5 km from Grant Park

    Loop

    • Courts: 6

    Book

  3. Sheridan (Philip Henry) Park2.8 km from Grant Park

    Near West Side

    • Courts: 3
  4. Lake Shore Park2.9 km from Grant Park

    Near North Side

    • Courts: 2
  5. Dunbar (Paul Laurence) Park3.3 km from Grant Park

    Douglas

    • Courts: 6
  6. Union Park3.8 km from Grant Park

    Near West Side

    • Courts: 2
  7. McGuane (John) Park3.9 km from Grant Park

    Bridgeport

    • Courts: 5
  8. Armour (Philip) Square Park4.4 km from Grant Park

    Armour Square

    • Courts: 2

As the crow flies.

How booking works here

Mostly, it doesn't. 123 of the 125 places on our list take no booking: first come, first served, in the Park District's own words. A permit or rental holder has the court for their time. 2 places take bookings, and their pages here say how.

First come, first served

The Park District says that without a permit or rental, its facilities are open to the public, first come, first served. These are the places on our list where that is the rule.

When to go

Early. First come, first served rewards the first one there. The Park District lists Grant Park as open from 6 am.

Want to play after dark? No Park District page we read says which courts have lights. Ask at the park.

FAQ

Do I need to book a tennis court in Chicago?
Not at most parks. The Park District says that without a permit or rental, its facilities are open to the public, first come, first served. 123 of the 125 places on our list work that way.
Is tennis free in Chicago?
We cannot say. No Park District page we read says the courts are free, and none gives a price.
What if someone has a permit for the court?
Then it is theirs for their time. The Park District says a permit or rental is what guarantees a court.
Can I reserve a court at Maggie Daley Park?
The Park District's page for its courts points you to reserving one, and gives (312) 742-7651 for more information. It does not say whether you can walk on when nobody has reserved.
What are Grant Park's hours?
The Park District lists the park as open 6 am to 11 pm, every day. It does not list court hours.

How we checked

Every fact on this page comes from the Park District's or the City's own site. Each venue page shows the source and the date we read it. We do not review courts and we have not played them for you. If something here is wrong, the source changed after we read it. Tell us.

  • “A permit or rental is required to guarantee use of an athletic facility for a set period of time.” “Without a permit or rental, facilities are available to the general public for first-come-first-serve use.” chicagoparkdistrict.com, read October 14, 2026
  • “Learn about reserving a court.” “For more information call (312) 742-7651.” chicagoparkdistrict.com, read October 14, 2026

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