What is open play in pickleball?

Open play is the drop-in format. Nobody books a match. Players add their paddles to a rack or a line by the court, and when a game ends the next four paddles rotate on. You play with and against whoever comes up.

Do I need a partner for open play?

No. Open play is built for people who show up alone. The rotation pairs you with three other players. Bring a paddle, water, and a ball if you have one.

Is pickleball open play free?

It depends on the facility. Of the 1,303 open play facilities in our directory, 32 list free play and 413 charge a fee or require a membership. We have not confirmed pricing for the other 858, so check the facility's own page before you go.

Do I need to sign up for open play ahead of time?

Some facilities run a first-come rotation and some clubs and rec centers require booking through an app. We have confirmed the reservation policy for 57 facilities so far, and each facility page says so where we know. Everywhere else, the facility's own page is the place to check.

Is open play OK for beginners?

Usually, yes. 4,601 of the 4,890 sessions we list are posted as open to all levels, and 289 post a skill range. Each city page has a level filter so you can find sessions that match where you are. If you have never played, a lesson or two first makes the rotation more fun for everyone.

Open play

Pickleball open play near you.

Pickleball open play is drop-in play: you show up alone, put your paddle in the rotation, and play with whoever is up next. We list 4,890 recurring open play sessions at 1,303 parks, rec centers, and clubs in 901 US cities, each with its day, time, skill level, and indoor or outdoor court. Pick your city below, then confirm with the facility before you drive over.

Want to know if it's good weather to play right now? Try play now, our weather-aware finder.

Browse open play by city

901 cities with confirmed sessions, ranked by activity.

How open play works

Arrive during a listed session and find the paddle rack, fence slot, or line of paddles by the courts.
Put your paddle at the end of the line. That is your place in the queue.
When a game ends, the next four paddles go on together. Partners are whoever comes up with you.
After your game, your paddle goes back to the end of the line. Local rules on winners staying on vary, so watch one rotation before you jump in.

The unwritten rules around calling the score, line calls, and mixing levels are in our open play etiquette guide. Bringing a friend who hasn't played? Send them the picture-first dictionary first.

Who open play is for

Open play suits anyone who wants games without organizing them: new players who have learned the basics, people new to a city, and regulars who like mixing partners. It is not the right fit for everything.

Want coaching rather than a rotation? Browse pickleball lessons by city.
Want games at a steady level with the same people? Many groups coordinate in the TeamReach app, and our directory of TeamReach group codes lists the ones clubs publish.
Want competitive, bracketed play? See the US pickleball tournament schedule.

What to check before you go

Skill level: 4,601 of 4,890 sessions are posted as open to all levels. The other 289 post a range, such as 2.0 to 3.0 or 3.5 and up. City pages filter by level.
Indoor or outdoor: 804 of the facilities are indoor and 499 are outdoor. Outdoor sessions are weather-dependent, which is what play now is for.
Cost: 32 facilities list free play and 413 charge a fee or require a membership. Pricing for the other 858 is not confirmed yet, so we say so instead of guessing.
Signing up: Some sessions are first-come, some need an app booking. Where we have confirmed the policy (57 facilities so far), the facility page says which.

How we know

Schedules come from facility websites, city recreation pages, and confirmations from local players. Every facility page shows a trust badge and its sources, so you can judge a listing before you drive. Of the 1,303 open play facilities listed here, 19 are verified, 17 are pending review, and 1,267 are community-reported. That last group is exactly why we say to confirm before you go.

Know about a session we missed, or one that has changed? Send a correction and we will review it.

Frequently asked

What is open play in pickleball?: Open play is the drop-in format. Nobody books a match. Players add their paddles to a rack or a line by the court, and when a game ends the next four paddles rotate on. You play with and against whoever comes up.
Do I need a partner for open play?: No. Open play is built for people who show up alone. The rotation pairs you with three other players. Bring a paddle, water, and a ball if you have one.
Is pickleball open play free?: It depends on the facility. Of the 1,303 open play facilities in our directory, 32 list free play and 413 charge a fee or require a membership. We have not confirmed pricing for the other 858, so check the facility's own page before you go.
Do I need to sign up for open play ahead of time?: Some facilities run a first-come rotation and some clubs and rec centers require booking through an app. We have confirmed the reservation policy for 57 facilities so far, and each facility page says so where we know. Everywhere else, the facility's own page is the place to check.
Is open play OK for beginners?: Usually, yes. 4,601 of the 4,890 sessions we list are posted as open to all levels, and 289 post a skill range. Each city page has a level filter so you can find sessions that match where you are. If you have never played, a lesson or two first makes the rotation more fun for everyone.