40-LOVE! TENNIS SEASON IS ALMOST IN FULL SWING – BUY OR RENEW YOUR OUTDOOR TENNIS PERMIT TODAY  

NYC Parks launches online tennis permit purchasing and renewal system 

 NYC Parks today announced that its online tennis permit purchasing system is launching for the season. Tennis enthusiasts and those who may be interested in giving it a swing this year can purchase or renew their tennis permit online beginning today, February 15. Tennis courts will officially open for the season beginning Sunday, April 3. The online tennis permit system streamlines the process and will make it even easier to renew for yourself or a loved one next year.  

“Our outdoor tennis courts are treasured recreational spaces in all five boroughs as they provide fun and healthy exercise in the sunshine,” said NYC Parks Acting Commissioner Liam Kavanagh. “Whether you’re playing singles, doubles, or learning to play for the first time, your tennis reservation is only a few clicks away online.”  

A permit is required to use an outdoor tennis court from the first Sunday of April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving. You can apply here. Full-season permits for adults ages 18 to 61 cost $100. Adults with a valid IDNYC card can receive 10% off their full-season permit fee. Permits for seniors ages 62 and older cost $20. Permits for kids and teens younger than 18 years old cost $10. Once purchased, tennis permits cannot be refunded or transferred. 

A permit is needed to use an outdoor court from the first Saturday in April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Looking for help? Visit or call one of our tennis permit offices.

If you recently renewed or purchased your tennis permit online, for faster service, you can pick up your permit in person at the Arsenal, located at 830 Fifth Avenue in Central Park, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.

Full-Season Permits

Full-season permits for adults ages 18 to 61 cost $100. Adults with a valid IDNYC , a free identification card for all New York City residents, can receive 10 percent off their full-season permit fee. Permits for seniors ages 62 and older cost $20. Permits cost $10 for kids and teens younger than 18 years old. Full-season permits purchased are good for use until the end of the season. The same fees and expiration date apply for anyone interested in purchasing a permit late in the season. Once purchased, tennis permits cannot be refunded or transferred.

Purchase or Renew a Full-Season Permit

You can:

*We do not offer same-day permits online. Please allow up to three weeks to receive your tennis permit by mail. You can apply in person to make a same-day tennis permit purchase.

Single-Play Permits

Single-play permits offer cost $15. A single-play permit allows you one-time use of any tennis court in any borough for one hour. For doubles play, permits are good for two hours of tennis. Once purchased, tennis permits cannot be refunded or transferred.

Purchase a Single-Play Permit

You can:

*We do not offer same-day permits online. Please allow up to three weeks to receive your tennis permits by mail. You can apply in person to make a same-day single-play permit purchase.

Tennis Courts and Reservations

Visit our Tennis Courts page to find a tennis court near you. At a few of our popular courts, we offer tennis court reservations online. Tennis court reservations cost $15 per court, per hour. We allow players to make reservations for up to seven days ahead—not including the day that you make the reservation—up until midnight on the day before play. For all other courts, please visit the tennis court facility in-person with your permit to reserve a court for use on the same day.

Advance Reservation Tickets

You can purchase advance reservation tickets to reserve a court at Central Park or Prospect Park at a future date. Advance reservation tickets cost $15 per court, per hour and must be redeemed by phone or in person. Once purchased, advanced reservation tickets cannot be refunded or transferred.

You can purchase advance reservation tickets in person only at:

NYC Parks Tennis Rules and Regulations

Before heading to a court, make sure that you’ve read our rules and regulations. Follow our permit rules, wear smooth-sole tennis shoes, and use a maximum of six tennis balls on each court. Most courts are open from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, except Central Park where courts open at 7:00 a.m. and Randall’s Island where courts open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.

Tennis at Central Park and Prospect Park

Planning to play tennis at Central Park or Prospect Park? Tennis amenities and policies at these two parks differ from other tennis court locations. Please visit our Tennis at Central Park and Prospect Park page for more information.

Locker Rentals at Central Park

If you’re a full-season tennis permit holder, you can rent a locker at the Central Park courts. Visit our Central Park Locker Rental page to make a reservation.

Lost Tennis Permits

Replacement tennis permits can be purchased at any of our Tennis Permit Offices. The fee for a duplicate tennis permit is $15 for adults and senior permits and $6 for youth permits.

Tennis Permit Locations

We offer in-person tennis services at our permit offices and Paragon Sports .

Tennis Permit Offices

During the tennis season, you can do the following in person at the permit office locations below:

  • Renew your full–season permit
  • Purchase a new full–season permit
  • Purchase a single–play permit
  • Buy reservation tickets (accepted at the Central Park and Prospect Park courts only)
  • Rent a recreation locker (in Central Park courts at 93rd Street only)

In-person applicants receive their permits shortly after their applications are reviewed and/or photos are taken.

Bronx Permit Office
1 Bronx River Parkway
Bronx, NY 10462
(718) 430-1840
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Queens Permit Office
Passerelle Building
(Across from outdoor tennis courts)
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
(718) 393-7276
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Permit Office
Litchfield Villa
95 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 965-8919
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday* 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (*April only)

This location is closed for in-person transactions at this time.
Staten Island Permit Office
Greenbelt Recreation Center
501 Brielle Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10314
(718) 667-3547 Ext. 313
Tuesday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
Manhattan Permit Office
830 5th Avenue
The Arsenal, Room 1 (Basement)
NY, NY 10065
(212) 360-8131
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Paragon Sports
867 Broadway and 18th Street
(212) 255-8889
Monday – Sunday   11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.Paragon Sporting Goods will NOT issue or renew permits past 30 minutes prior to closing time.

For more information about obtaining a tennis permit at Paragon Sports, please visit Paragon Sports’ website.

Recreation Centers

You can purchase or renew a tennis permit at the following recreation center locations during the center’s general public hours:

Payment Information

Bring the following materials:

  • Credit card, check, or money order for appropriate dollar amount. Cash is only accepted at the Manhattan Permit Office.
  • Proof of age
  • Photo ID
  • (Optional) A valid IDNYC   card, to receive a 10 percent discount on an adult (ages 18 to 61) full-season permit.
  • You may print and complete our tennis purchase form [PDF] in advance if desired.
  • Please note: you do not need to bring a passport-sized photo for in-person permit purchases, as we will take a digital photo of you at the permit location.

Method of Payment

  • Personal checks must have the account name imprinted on it.
  • If being presented in person, two pieces of identification, such as a driver’s license and a major credit card, are required.
  • Money orders are accepted as cash but must be the exact amount of the permit purchase, as no change will be returned.
  • Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the only credit cards accepted.

Refunds and Transfers

Once purchased, tennis permits, online court reservations, advanced reservation tickets, and locker reservations, cannot be refunded or transferred.

For more information, please call (212) 360-8131.