Who doesn't love (pun intended) a fun game of tennis in the city? The chance to get your heart rate up, socialize, and celebrate a well-played match with a drink or a meal explains why this sport is popular in Chicago. While Chicago doesn't have any tournaments on a pro-level (yet), the locals still know how to enjoy the courts.
Luckily, you don't have to have a membership at the Racquet Club of Chicago, the Lincoln Park Tennis Association, or any other tennis club to get in a game here. The Chicago Park District offers a selection of tennis and pickleball courts throughout the city. These include options like Oz Park on W Dickens Ave, Maggie Daley Park on E Randolph St, Sheridan Park on Aberdeen St, and the Waveland Tennis Courts in Lincoln Park on Recreation Dr.
The park district's courts are useful, but what if you're a seasoned player looking for well-maintained courts and the chance to play for more than an hour at a time? You simply download the Giggster app and search for a court that meets your needs and offers affordable hourly rates. From Downtown Chicago to the suburbs, book a court in minutes and perfect your game.
Giggster caters to both tennis and pickleball enthusiasts looking for a space to play in Chicago, IL. Plus, you can easily rent a court to host an event or run lessons for all skill levels. With Giggster, you have access to all these features and more:
Grab your friends and rent a home with an attached private court for the ultimate in flexibility. Play your mini tournament and relax afterward with a cocktail by the pool or a movie night on the big screen TV.
Giggster's Chicago venues like can accommodate a range of guest list sizes, from 10 to 500, although you won't all be able to play at the same time!
Aside from the court itself, benefit from amenities like barbecues, air conditioning, and even hot tubs to soothe any tired muscles.
In the Giggster app, it's a breeze to find a hidden gem for your classes, party, or tournament just steps from the hustle and bustle of the city. Unique spaces, decorated in a variety of styles, will suit your taste, and there is an option available at every price point.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With our 5 locations in Chicago, find exactly what you're looking for to celebrate a birthday, jump from the court to a pool, or even run a wellness retreat for a fantastic escape. Our Chicago venues are situated all over the city, so you never need to go too far out of the way.
Hassle-Free Booking: You only need a few minutes and the Giggster app to book our tennis court locations in Chicago. The fees, which start at only $25/hour, are always visible up front, as are the property's features, capacity, and availability. In rare cases when you have additional questions, it's also easy to use the app to message the hosts directly.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Assuming you book your court at least 48 hours before the event is due to start, you get free cancellation within 24 hours of confirmation. Change your mind, change the date, or change the duration without incurring any costs.
Platform Protections: Reserve a space and know that you have the option to add coverage for everything from damage to liability and last-minute disruptions. These protections ensure you can focus on perfecting your game, not what could potentially go wrong.
Of course, our rentals are great for a game, but there are so many other ways to use tennis courts, such as for memorable and fun events, filming movie scenes, product launches, or parties.
Pickleball Tournaments – Get Everyone Involved. Rent a court through the Giggster app, and you'll have total flexibility. Many of the Chicago Park District courts put limits on where you can play pickleball, often only reserving one court for this game. With Giggster venues, you can play whatever game you want.
Birthday Parties – Great for Tennis Enthusiasts. Whether you're celebrating a birthday for a child or an adult, if they're into tennis, they'll be into a courtside party. Find a spot that also offers a kitchen, bathrooms, and space for party games, all at the same location.
Corporate Events – Get Away From the Office. Plan your next team-building event at a Chicago tennis court and encourage a little healthy competition between colleagues. Reserve a space located close to the office in case anything urgent comes up, or use existing facilities, like a dining room table and backyard patio, to host an impromptu meeting.
Wellness Retreats – Tennis and Relaxation. Make tennis a part of the offering at your next wellness event for a well-rounded experience. Pair high-energy games with centering outdoor yoga and meditation easily.
Tennis Classes – Hands-On Learning. Looking to change where you host your lessons? Or maybe you're just starting out and need a spot to play. Either way, Giggster's tennis court options will deliver a convenient and well-maintained space to teach beginners or experts.
There are a few things to check before committing to a tennis court in Chicago, IL. Get these right and you'll have an unforgettable and smooth-running event.
What's the court surface like? Aside from making sure the court is in good condition, the type of surface may matter. Most courts will be clay, but you can also find grass (real and artificial) courts for more of a Wimbledon-like feeling. Canvas students or guests for their preferences to get it right.
Is there a dedicated spectator area? Whether it's parents watching their kids learn to play or other tournament participants wanting to check out the competition, having a clear area where spectators can mingle and sit is ideal.
Are there lights? For nighttime events or lessons, make sure everyone will be able to see what they're doing with sufficient lighting. This will help prevent accidents and generally make everybody feel more comfortable.
A tennis court in Chicago may not suit all events or your planned event date due to the weather. Evaluate the city's pros and cons, and you'll know exactly how right or wrong it is for you.
Advantages
Chicago has an amazing public transportation system that covers pretty much all of the city's neighborhoods. From the iconic 'L' train lines to buses, your guests will have no trouble reaching the rented court without a vehicle. And for late-night events, two of the train lines operate 24/7.
In Chicago, it's easy to book a court in popular neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, downtown (the Loop), and Wrigleyville, so celebrating the tournament winner at a local bar or restaurant is always possible.
As a large city, you'll find both indoor and outdoor tennis courts here for year-round events. Just note that many of the city's indoor courts will require a membership to play there.
Disadvantages
Although indoor courts are available, they are less common than outdoor ones, so you'll have to avoid outdoor games in the winter.
In the height of the local tennis season, from late spring to early fall, it can be quite competitive to book a court. The park district requires a minimum of five days' notice, but luckily, Giggster's courts do not.
Chicago, IL, is an expensive city, and locations that include tennis courts are definitely considered premium spots, so you'll pay more than in cheaper Midwest cities, like Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Cleveland.
Most successful events start with a bunch of planning to ensure everything goes off without a hitch, and tennis-themed ones may involve a little extra.
Reserve the Court – If you wait too long, you may end up without an event venue. Since a tennis event is nothing without a court and they are in high demand during the summer, book early to prevent disappointment. Once you have the venue, it's much easier for everything else to fall into place.
Arrange Equipment – Will you be asking everyone to bring their own gear or providing it for them? In either case, you'll need to get the word out so that guests have time to source their equipment before the event or lead time to secure rentals.
Hire a Pro – Unless you're already the expert, you may want to hire a local tennis pro to do demos or offer guidance to players. Contact groups like the Lincoln Park Tennis Association of the Midtown Athletic Club for leads.
Plan Refreshments – At the very least, you'll need lots of water on hand to keep everyone hydrated, but an event needs a little more than that. Go basic with some fruit and sandwiches, or kick it up a notch and offer a catered meal after the play is done for the day.
As mentioned, Chicago is a pricey city, but with Giggster's low rates starting at only $25/hour and these tips, you don't have to break the bank to host the year's best tennis event.
Take weekends off the table.
Rates for weekends are almost always higher than for weekdays. Schedule your event or lesson for a weekday evening to save a bit, and it's even better if you can plan to host on a weekday morning or afternoon, as these times will be the cheapest.
Look for alternative venues.
If you're just looking to have a little fun, you may not need an actual tennis court that will automatically charge a premium. It's possible to rent or purchase a portable net to turn everything from a parking lot to a backyard into a court.
Branch out from central neighborhoods.
If most guests will be driving or don't mind spending a little longer on public transportation, renting a court in the Chicago suburbs, like Elgin, Aurora, or Naperville, may make better sense for your budget.
Don't join a tennis club just to play one or two games. Instead, use the Giggster app to book a court and treat your family, friends, or students to a fun-filled event in Chicago that won't break the bank.
