The Chicago Park District runs the city’s pickleball scene: its Pickleball Mania program set a target of 200 courts in city parks, and its pickleball page currently lists 59 facilities with courts, all free and first-come, first-served.
The signature setting is the lakefront: Grant Park’s 16 lighted courts sit below the downtown skyline, and Maggie Daley Park’s courts sit beside Millennium Park. When nets come down in November, play moves indoors to Park District fieldhouses and dedicated clubs built for Chicago winters.
How to Read This List: Dedicated Courts, Tennis Overlays and Chicago Winters
Read the Facilities line before the address. Entries marked “Permanent Lines, Nets” are dedicated pickleball courts that play to the official net height, while “Tennis Nets” entries are lines overlaid on tennis courts, covered in our guide to playing pickleball on a tennis court.
Chicago adds a second filter: the season. Outdoor nets come down for winter at many parks; at Maggie Daley Park the last day of the 2026 season is November 11, and the nets come down November 12.
From roughly November to March, the game moves indoors: to Chicago Park District fieldhouse gyms, suburban park district gyms, and dedicated indoor clubs.
Pickleball In Chicago
1. Grant Park Pickleball Courts
The Chicago Park District’s flagship pickleball complex opened in September 2023 in Grant Park’s south end, with 16 dedicated outdoor courts and lighting for night play until 11 p.m. Courts are free and first-come, first-served, with paddle racks sorted by playing level.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 820 S. Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60602, USA (courts at 9th St & Columbus Dr)
- Phone: (312) 742-3918 (Chicago Park District)
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
2. Warren Park
A North Side hub in West Ridge with 6 outdoor courts plus 2 indoor courts inside the fieldhouse, so play runs year-round. Lines are permanent, portable nets are available, and the park is home to a pickleball league for deaf and hard-of-hearing players.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Portable Nets
- Address: 6601 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60645, USA
- Phone: (312) 742-7888
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
3. Maggie Daley Park
Pickleball is played on the courts beside Millennium Park, with scheduled open play on courts 1–5 on weekday mornings and court 1 on weekend mornings. The courts are seasonal: November 11 is the last day of the 2026 season, with nets coming down November 12.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Portable Nets
- Address: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
- Phone: (312) 742-3918
- Web Contact: maggiedaleypark.com
4. McFetridge Sports Center (California Park)
The Park District’s only indoor tennis facility, managed by ASM Global, runs pickleball indoors in Irving Park. Lakeshore Sport & Fitness’s Chicago indoor guide lists 6 indoor pickleball courts available for rent, with drop-ins available.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Portable Nets
- Address: 3843 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
- Phone: (773) 478-2609
- Web Contact: mcfetridgesportscenter.com
5. Gompers Park
North Park neighborhood park with play in both seasons: 2 indoor wood courts in the fieldhouse gymnasium with permanent lines, plus 2 outdoor courts with permanent lines and nets. Both the indoor and outdoor courts are free to use.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Portable Nets
- Address: 4222 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA
- Phone: (773) 685-3270
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
6. Horner Park
The Chicago Park District lists five tennis/pickleball courts here, and players set up portable nets on either side of the tennis nets to create up to eight pickleball courts. Bring your own net, or borrow one from the fieldhouse; play is free.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Portable Nets (bring your own)
- Address: 2741 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
- Phone: (773) 478-3499
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
7. Welles Park
Three dedicated outdoor pickleball courts opened at this Lincoln Square park in 2024 as part of the Park District’s Pickleball Mania rollout, alongside a consolidated paddle rack for open-play rotation. The courts are free and lighted.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 2333 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA
- Phone: (312) 742-7511
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
8. Portage Park
Four dedicated outdoor courts with separators and lights opened in November 2024, replacing six tennis courts as part of a larger court rebuild that also added four new tennis courts. The courts are free, with open play in the mornings and evenings.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 4100 N Long Ave, Chicago, IL 60641, USA
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
9. Columbus Park
The Park District cut the ribbon in September 2023 on four new dedicated outdoor pickleball courts and four rehabilitated tennis courts in this historic Austin park, one of the first Pickleball Mania projects. The courts are lighted and free.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 500 S Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA
- Phone: (773) 287-7641
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
10. Gwendolyn Brooks Park
Four dedicated, fenced outdoor hard courts in North Kenwood, added under the Park District’s court-building program. A quieter neighborhood option on the South Side, free to play.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 4542 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60653, USA
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
11. Jackson Park Fieldhouse
Two indoor wood courts inside the historic Woodlawn fieldhouse, with permanent lines and portable nets. One of the South Side’s few free indoor options in winter.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Portable Nets
- Address: 6401 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Phone: (773) 363-6971
- Web Contact: chicagoparkdistrict.com
12. SPF (Social Pickleball Fun) — Lincoln Park
A 42,000-square-foot indoor facility that opened in January 2024, billed as Chicago’s largest indoor pickleball venue, with 9 dedicated indoor hard courts. Play is paid, with court reservations, open play, leagues and lessons.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 2121 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
- Phone: (773) 572-9411
- Web Contact: playspf.com
13. Big City Pickle — Fulton Market
The flagship of Big City Pickle’s three Chicago outdoor locations, with 15 outdoor courts; the company lists 40 outdoor courts across its three sites. Rentals are paid and include the court, net and balls, and paddles can be borrowed at no charge.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 170 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Phone: (312) 850-8177
- Web Contact: chicagocitypickle.com
14. ChiPickle Pickleball Club
A dedicated indoor club on the Near South Side with 10 indoor asphalt courts, permanent lines and nets. Play is pay-per-visit, with reservations available.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 1900 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL, USA
- Phone: (312) 312-2197
- Web Contact: facebook.com
15. Pickleball Clubhouse
An indoor club in Irving Park with 7 dedicated indoor asphalt courts. Memberships start at $65/month, and visitor play is always available for non-members.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 4242 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
- Phone: (872) 314-2255
- Web Contact: pickleballclub.house
16. Midtown Athletic Club
A large private athletic club in Bucktown with 14 pickleball courts in total: 6 indoor and 8 outdoor on concrete, with permanent lines and portable nets. Play is restricted to club members.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Portable Nets
- Address: 2444 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
- Phone: (773) 796-6523
- Web Contact: midtown.com
17. James Park — Evanston
The City of Evanston converted the park’s six tennis courts into 15 dedicated pickleball courts, completed in October 2025, the largest dedicated public complex in the suburbs. The courts have separators, one wheelchair-accessible court and per-court paddle racks, and are free.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: Oakton St & Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202, USA
- Phone: (847) 448-4311 (City of Evanston)
- Web Contact: cityofevanston.org
18. Barrie Park (Barrie Center) — Oak Park
Six dedicated outdoor courts run by the Park District of Oak Park, free to play, open sunrise to 10 p.m. in season. The district takes the nets down for winter and brings them back around mid-March.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 1011 S Lombard Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, USA
- Phone: (708) 725-2000
- Web Contact: pdop.org
19. Community Playfield — Wilmette
The Wilmette Park District’s main court bank: 6 dedicated courts with separators, plus 2 more pickleball courts striped on the adjacent tennis court with district-provided nets. Free public courts with open-play racking.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 702 Locust Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091, USA
- Phone: (847) 256-6100 (Wilmette Park District)
- Web Contact: wilmettepark.org
20. Willow Park — Northfield
Six outdoor pickleball courts run by the Northfield Park District, all open for free open play on a paddle-racking system. Players who want a guaranteed slot can reserve a court online; reservations override open play.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 401 Wagner Rd, Northfield, IL, USA
- Phone: (847) 446-4428
- Web Contact: northfieldparks.org
21. Olympic Park — Schaumburg
Eight brand-new outdoor courts built by the Schaumburg Park District, free to use and first-come, first-served, with lights for night play. Park hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 1675 Old Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL, USA
- Phone: (847) 985-2115 (Schaumburg Park District)
- Web Contact: parkfun.com
22. Timbercrest Park — Schaumburg
Six dedicated courts the Schaumburg Park District built in 2022, with lights: the district’s first dedicated pickleball build, a few years before the bigger Olympic Park complex. Free public courts.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 120 W Beech Dr, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
- Phone: (847) 985-2115 (Schaumburg Park District)
- Web Contact: parkfun.com
23. Frontier Sports Complex — Rothermel Family Pickleball Courts — Naperville
Six dedicated outdoor courts on the east side of Frontier Sports Complex, opened by the Naperville Park District in June 2023 and named the Rothermel Family Pickleball Courts. Court listings show lights; the courts are free.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 3415 Book Rd, Naperville, IL 60564, USA
- Phone: (630) 848-5000 (Naperville Park District)
- Web Contact: napervilleparks.org
24. Wolf’s Crossing Community Park — Naperville
A hybrid setup in southwest Naperville: 4 dedicated pickleball courts, plus 4 lit tennis courts lined for pickleball where players must bring their own nets. Free public courts.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 3252 Wolf’s Crossing Rd, Naperville, IL 60543, USA
- Phone: (630) 848-5000 (Naperville Park District)
- Web Contact: napervilleparks.org
25. Ranchview Park — Naperville
The district’s clearest tennis-overlay example: tennis courts striped for 9 pickleball courts on a modular plastic tile surface. Three courts on the west side play over the tennis nets; the six on the east side have no nets, so bring your own net.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Tennis Nets
- Address: 1727 Ranchview Dr, Naperville, IL 60565, USA
- Phone: (630) 848-5000 (Naperville Park District)
- Web Contact: napervilleparks.org
26. DuPage River Sports Complex — Naperville
Four lit tennis courts lined for pickleball; the Park District’s own page states plainly that participants must provide their own nets. Free, and the lights make it one of the few overlay spots that works after dark in season.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Tennis Nets
- Address: 2807 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60565, USA
- Phone: (630) 848-5000 (Naperville Park District)
- Web Contact: napervilleparks.org
27. Sure Shot Pickleball — Naperville
A climate-controlled indoor facility with 11 professional-grade courts; no membership is required, and you can pay per session. The club rents paddles for $5, sells new balls for $3, and runs lessons, leagues, open play and a Junior Academy.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 2244 Corporate Ln Ste 100, Naperville, IL 60563, USA
- Phone: (630) 566-2211
- Web Contact: sureshotpickleball.com
28. Naperville Tennis Club
A private racquet club whose own pickleball page states the facility has 20 indoor pickleball courts with upgraded lighting and air filtration, the largest single-site court count in the metro. It runs socials, lessons, leagues, tournaments and permanent reserved court times.
- Facilities: Permanent Lines, Nets
- Address: 1011 E Benton Ave, Naperville, IL, USA
- Phone: (630) 355-5600
- Web Contact: napervilletennis.com
Playing beyond the city and suburbs? Our guide to pickleball courts across Illinois covers where to play across the rest of the state. Planning a trip instead? Compare this list with our guides to pickleball in New York and pickleball in Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free pickleball courts in Chicago?
Yes, most of them. Every Chicago Park District court in this guide is free, including Grant Park’s 16 dedicated courts, and the suburban park district courts in Evanston, Oak Park, Wilmette, Northfield, Schaumburg and Naperville are free too.
The indoor clubs (SPF, ChiPickle, Pickleball Clubhouse, Sure Shot) and Big City Pickle’s outdoor courts charge for play, and Midtown is members only.
What is the difference between dedicated and overlay courts in Chicago?
A dedicated court (Grant Park, James Park, SPF) has its own lines and a pickleball net at regulation height. An overlay court is a tennis court with pickleball lines added.
At Ranchview Park and DuPage River Sports Complex in Naperville you play over tennis nets or bring your own portable net, and at Horner Park players set up portable nets on either side of the tennis net.
Check the Facilities line: “Tennis Nets” means overlay.
Where should a beginner play in Chicago?
Start where open play runs on a paddle rack: Grant Park, Welles Park and Willow Park rotate solo players into games by level, so you do not need a partner or a group.
For structured first sessions, Big City Pickle runs Learn to Play classes, Sure Shot has in-house coaches and lessons, and several Park District fieldhouses list beginner instruction sessions in their program catalogs.
Can you play pickleball in Chicago in winter?
Yes, but almost entirely indoors. Outdoor courts are seasonal: Maggie Daley Park takes its nets down on November 12, and Oak Park’s Barrie Park nets stay down until about mid-March.
In winter, use the indoor clubs (SPF, ChiPickle, Pickleball Clubhouse, Sure Shot, Naperville Tennis Club), Park District fieldhouse gyms such as Warren Park and Gompers Park, or suburban park district indoor programs in Schaumburg and Naperville.
Can I rent a paddle or buy balls at the courts?
At the paid venues, yes. Big City Pickle rentals include the court, net and balls, and paddles can be borrowed at no charge; Sure Shot rents paddles for $5 and sells new balls for $3, with demo paddles available.
Naperville Tennis Club’s pro shop offers paddle demos. At public park courts, bring everything, and at Horner Park, DuPage River Sports Complex and the lined courts at Wolf’s Crossing and Ranchview, that includes your own net.
Shoaib is the publisher of Pickleball Card. He oversees the site’s guides to pickleball rules, ratings, strategy and gear, all researched from primary sources — the USA Pickleball Rulebook, DUPR and manufacturer documentation — and updated as the game changes.