You ever pull up to a sports complex and just feel like you’re in the wrong place because it looks way too nice for a public park? That’s the vibe at Champions Club Chattanooga TN. If you aren't a local, you might drive right past the turnoff near Lupton City, thinking it’s some gated community for people who wear white linen year-round. But honestly, it’s one of the best public tennis setups in the entire country.
Most people think you have to drop a few grand on a private membership at Manker Patten or a country club to get decent court time in this town. Nope.
Champions Club basically flipped the script on what municipal sports looks like. We’re talking 26 hard courts, a massive two-story clubhouse that’s bigger than some people's houses, and a tournament schedule that brings in millions to the local economy. It’s located inside Rivermont Park, tucked right against the Tennessee River. You can literally finish a grueling three-set match and then walk a few yards to go fishing. Not many places offer that kind of transition.
The Layout: 26 Courts and a 6,000 Square Foot Clubhouse
The scale here is kinda wild. When you hear "public tennis court," you usually picture a cracked slab of asphalt with a sagging net behind a middle school. This is not that.
The centerpiece is the 6,000-square-foot clubhouse. It’s got everything: lockers, showers that actually have hot water, and a pro shop where you can get your racket restrung without waiting three weeks. The viewing areas are elevated, which is a big deal if you’re there to watch a kid play or if you’re scouting your next opponent in a USTA league.
- Total Courts: 26 lighted hard courts.
- Surface: Premier hard courts (recently resurfaced in that sharp blue/green combo).
- Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant—they take this seriously, from the parking lot to the court gates.
- Atmosphere: It’s a mix of high-intensity college players and seniors who will absolutely slice you to death.
Speaking of the courts, they aren't just open 24/7 for a free-for-all. Since it's a "Premier Club" (the USTA actually ranked it in the top 50 in the U.S.), they run a tight ship. You’ve got to navigate their reservation system, which is currently handled through a portal called Xplor.
Champions Club Chattanooga TN: What Most People Get Wrong About Costs
There’s this weird myth that because it’s a "Club," it costs an arm and a leg. It doesn't.
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If you just walk up and a court is open? It’s free. That’s the secret. However, if you want to actually guarantee a spot—which you should, because the 4.0 and 4.5 leagues here are perpetually packed—it’ll cost you about the price of a fancy coffee.
As of early 2026, the reservation fees are pretty much pocket change. If you book before 4:00 PM, it’s usually around $2 per person for an hour and a half. After 4:00 PM, when the lights come on and the work crowd descends, it bumps up to about $4. Honestly, compare that to a $200 monthly membership elsewhere, and the math just wins every time.
Why the Location is a Double-Edged Sword
The club is at 3400 Lupton Drive. It’s gorgeous because of the river, but if you’re coming from downtown or the Southside during rush hour, Hixson Pike can be a nightmare. There’s also been some ongoing construction near the entrance lately that’s sent people on some annoying detours.
And let's be real: in July and August, it’s a furnace. The humidity coming off the Tennessee River is no joke. If you aren't playing at 8:00 AM or after the sun goes down, bring about three gallons of water and some extra grip tape, because you’re going to be swimming in sweat.
The 2026 Tournament Scene is Massive
If you want to see why this place is called "Champions Club," just look at the April calendar. This year, the Southern Conference (SoCon) is bringing the Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships back to the facility from April 16-18, 2026.
It’s high-level stuff. You’ll see schools like Samford and Furman battling it out. The best part is that the public can usually just wander in and watch for free. It’s a great way to realize your second-serve is actually garbage compared to a 19-year-old D1 athlete.
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Beyond the college stuff, they host the Level 5 Open Dynamic Duo Team Championships later in September. It’s a unique format where you and a partner play singles and doubles in a team-style bracket. It’s basically the tennis version of a Ryder Cup, and it gets incredibly loud and competitive.
How to Actually Get Better (Without Dying)
If you’re like me and your backhand is basically a defensive slice that mostly goes into the net, you might need a pro.
The staff at Champions Club is legendary. Coach Orlando has been the "guy" there for years. He’s got that rare ability to tell you your footwork is lazy without making you want to quit the sport forever. They offer "Tennis 101" clinics which are roughly $80 for an 8-hour course spread over a few weeks.
- Tennis 101: For the "I haven't picked up a racket since 1994" crowd.
- Tennis 102: Focuses more on where to stand so you don't get hit in the face during doubles.
- High School Drills: This is where the local juniors go to sharpen up for the Scenic City tournaments.
The leagues are where the real community is, though. They have seasons for everything: Men's, Women's, and Mixed Doubles. A typical season fee is around $40, which covers about seven weeks of matches plus playoffs. It's the most cost-effective way to get consistent match play in Hamilton County.
A Few Realities to Keep in Mind
Look, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a public facility, so you’re going to deal with public facility quirks.
The parking lot can get absolutely jammed during softball tournaments at the adjacent Rivermont fields. If there’s a big "Scenic City Summer" softball event happening at the same time as a tennis tournament, you might end up parking halfway to Northgate Mall.
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Also, the winter hours are a bit restrictive. From December to March, they’re usually closed on Sundays and shut down by 4:30 PM on weekdays. If you're a night owl who wants to play in January, you're out of luck unless you head to an indoor spot like the Racquet Club of Chattanooga or Manker Patten.
Essential Next Steps for New Players
If you're looking to get started at Champions Club, don't just show up and hope for the best. The facility is popular for a reason, and the "locals" know how to work the system.
First, go to the City of Chattanooga’s Xplor (PerfectMind) portal and set up an account. You can’t book a court or join a clinic without it. It’s a bit of a clunky interface, but it’s the only way to see real-time availability.
Second, if you’re looking for a league but don't have a team, call the clubhouse directly at (423) 870-3112. Ask for the league coordinator. They keep a "free agent" list for people looking to jump onto a USTA or local city team.
Finally, check the weather and the wind. Being right by the river means the wind can whip through those courts, especially on the end courts (20-26). If it’s a gusty day, try to request a court closer to the clubhouse—the building acts as a bit of a windbreak.
Whether you’re a 5.0 player looking for a challenge or a beginner who just bought a racket at Target, this place is the heartbeat of Chattanooga tennis. It's high-end quality without the high-end pretension. Just remember to bring your own water; the humidity doesn't take prisoners.