Look, if you’ve ever tried to grab a game in North Brooklyn, you know the drill. You show up at North 12th and Lorimer with a racket in one hand and a coffee in the other, only to realize the "public" courts aren't exactly just open for whoever walks up. It’s a bit of a maze. Honestly, the McCarren Park tennis courts are probably some of the most misunderstood pieces of asphalt in the entire NYC Parks system.
People think they can just stroll onto the court because it's a park. Nope. Or they think it’s a private club because there’s a massive bubble over it half the year. Also not quite right.
The Permit Game: How Not to Get Kicked Off
First things first. If it is between the first Saturday in April and the Sunday before Thanksgiving, you need a permit. This isn't a suggestion. The park attendants at McCarren are generally pretty chill, but they will absolutely bump you for someone who has their paperwork in order.
You've got three main ways to handle this in 2026:
- The Full Season Permit: It’s $100 for adults (18-61). If you have an IDNYC, you get 10% off. Seniors get a massive break at just $20.
- The Single-Play Permit: This costs $15 and buys you one hour of singles or two hours of doubles.
- The Reservation Ticket: This is the extra $15 "convenience fee" to book a specific time online.
Here is the thing about the McCarren Park tennis courts specifically: they only have seven courts total. Two of those are set aside for online reservations, while the other five (including those weirdly small half-courts for kids) are for walk-ons. If you’re a walk-on, you show up, put your permit in the rack, and wait. On a sunny Tuesday at 6:00 PM? You’re going to be waiting a while.
The Bubble Situation
From October through April, the vibe changes completely. A private vendor, the McCarren Tennis Center, puts up a massive pressurized bubble. Suddenly, your $100 city permit is useless. During "Bubble Season," you are paying market rates. We’re talking $50 to $70 an hour depending on the time of day.
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It’s a controversial setup. Local groups like the McCarren Tennis Association (MTAC) have been vocal about the balance between public access and private profit. The current lease for that bubble actually runs all the way through 2035. So, if you’re planning on playing cheap winter tennis here, maybe adjust your expectations now.
Lighting and Late Night Hits
One of the biggest upgrades in recent years was the lighting. For a long time, McCarren was a "play until the sun goes down" kind of place. Not anymore. There are LED floodlights now that stay on until 11:15 PM.
Wait.
There is a catch. Not every court is lit equally. The private operator is technically only obligated to light a few of them. If you’re on Court 7, you might feel like you’re playing in a stadium, but if you’re tucked away on one of the others, it can get a bit shadowy. Also, if you live in the apartments overlooking the park, you probably hate these lights—they’re notoriously bright and not very directional.
Lessons, Clinics, and Finding a Partner
If your backhand is a disaster, you can book clinics through the McCarren Tennis Center. They’ve got everything from "Absolute Beginner" to "Advanced." The intermediate classes are basically a rite of passage for Greenpoint hipsters trying to get some cardio that isn't just biking to a brewery.
If you're just looking for someone to hit with, don't just stand by the fence looking hopeful. Check out the MTAC ladder. It's a grassroots way to find people at your skill level without paying a "pro" to feed you balls for an hour.
Real Talk on Conditions
Are the courts "US Open" quality? Honestly, no. They get a lot of foot traffic. You’ll find some cracks, and the winds coming off the East River can make your serve do some very weird things. But they are hard courts, they drain reasonably well after a rain, and they’re miles better than the cracked concrete you’ll find in some of the smaller neighborhood playgrounds.
Practical Next Steps for Your Game:
- Check the Season: If it’s before April, head to the McCarren Tennis Center website to book a bubble court. If it's after April, go to the NYC Parks site to buy your permit.
- Verify Your IDNYC: If you’re an NYC resident, get that 10% discount on your season permit. Every ten bucks counts.
- The 7-Day Rule: Reservations open seven days in advance at midnight. If you want a Saturday morning slot, you better be at your computer Friday night/Saturday morning at 12:01 AM.
- Footwear Matters: Wear non-marking tennis shoes. The attendants will actually look at your soles sometimes. Don't be the person trying to play in Converse.
The McCarren Park tennis courts are a microcosm of Brooklyn—a little crowded, slightly complicated, but ultimately one of the best places to be on a Saturday morning. Just make sure you have your permit saved on your phone before you step onto the court.