Club Bulletin

Grand Opening of Largest Indoor Tennis Facility in the United States

April 30, 2025 (New York, NY) — SPORTIME Randall’s Island proudly celebrates the completion of its $55 million expansion, a transformative project two years in the making. Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the latest milestone in the facility’s evolution, and firmly establishes its position as a world-class – and the largest – indoor tennis club and training facility in the United States.

One hundred percent funded by SPORTIME Clubs, this major investment follows the original $20+ million SPORTIME led project that brought SPORTIME Randall’s Island to life in 2009. With SPORTIME’s total capital investment reaching more than $75 million, the facility now stands as a testament to SPORTIME’s enduring commitment to New York City, reflecting its focus on excellence in sport, accessibility, and community impact.

“I am a lifelong New Yorker, I learned to play tennis in New York City public parks, including at Randall’s Island,” said Claude Okin, SPORTIME’s President & CEO. “So, there is no achievement more personal to me, or of which I am prouder, than SPORTIME’s flagship facility on Randall’s Island. Our goal, since 2004, has been to create a year-round tennis club and training center like no other in the world, right here in our hometown: NYC. And we have done that.”  

Best-in-Class Tennis Mecca
SPORTIME Randall’s Island now spans more than 260,000 square feet of tennis courts and support space. The expansion has elevated and diversified the year-round campus, which offers a scale and caliber of resources not previously available in the tri-state area—or anywhere beyond.

Now home to 33 courts—up from 20 at its inception—SPORTIME Randall’s Island features 15 Laykold hard-surface courts housed in two permanent buildings and in one seasonal air-structure, in addition to 14 Har-Tru soft-surface courts in one permanent and one seasonal air-structure. The facility also includes a dedicated Community Welcome Center with four 36’ red ball courts. All year-round indoor courts are fully air-conditioned, while all 12 seasonal outdoor courts are equipped with stadium-quality lighting for nighttime play. The result: elite playing and training conditions on multiple surfaces for athletes of all ages and skill levels.

To support the training, recovery, well-being and social interaction of players and athletes, the expansion added a second state-of-the-art clubhouse with direct viewing of 12 of the facility’s courts, and an enhanced athletic performance training and recovery center that rivals those found at elite professional venues. Amenities including lounge areas and classrooms, a wellness-focused café, and a full-service pro shop offering an unrivaled, world-class environment for players at every level.

The expansion also enhanced the facility’s special event and tournament hosting capabilities, including private lounge spaces, TV quality lighting, and electronic line calling on its hard-surface courts. The outdoor stadium court can be configured to accommodate up to 4,000 spectators, making it an ideal venue for competitions and showcases.

A Global Destination, Rooted in Public & Private Partnership 

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is parkland and the property of the City of New York and is operated by SPORTIME subject to a 25-year license agreement. It is both a commercial tennis club, open to the public, and a public park, with half of its courts, including lighted courts for evening play, accessible to NYC Parks Tennis Permit holders at a cost of $100 for the entire outdoor season. SPORTIME is a foundational partner of the Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA), the nonprofit organization that redeveloped and maintains the Park, which features Icahn Stadium and over 60 playing fields, and is one of NYC’s premiere sports destinations. SPORTIME’s more $2.5 million in annual license fees provide critical funding for the upkeep and improvement of the Island’s facilities. 
SPORTIME Randall's Island has redefined what a public/private partnership can be and achieve in sport. The facility welcomes 50,000 players and guests annually, hosts weekly tournaments and events ranging from USTA league play to international showcases, and employs a team of over 100 New Yorkers.  

"It is thrilling to see the completion of this significant project that only elevates the offerings Randall's Island Park and SPORTIME bring to both the local and greater NYC communities," said Randall's Island Park Alliance President Deborah Maher. "These state-of-the-art, expanded facilities represent the commitment SPORTIME and the Alliance are making to continually improve Randall's Island for park patrons and sports-enthusiasts of all ages."

“The expansion of SPORTIME Randall’s Island is an excellent example of how public/private partnerships can activate our parks and expand access to recreational opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “With over 400 diverse concessions citywide, NYC Parks is proud to partner with organizations like SPORTIME that not only generate vital revenue, but also enhance our parks through dynamic, year-round programming and meaningful capital improvements to our green spaces.”
Commitment to Community

Launched in the fall of 2010, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at SPORTIME Randall’s Island offers world-class, year-round coaching for junior players aiming to compete at the highest levels. Reflecting McEnroe’s vision of an urban academy, JMTA provides students with access to top-tier training while allowing them to live at home and attend local schools, thus offering access and opportunity to aspiring NYC-based athletes. Since its inception, over 200 JMTA players have earned college scholarships and preferred admission through their tennis. 

“When we launched the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at SPORTIME Randall’s Island in 2010, the goal wasn’t just to develop great players, it was to create access, to give New York kids real opportunity, and to build something lasting in the city I grew up in,” said McEnroe. “The expansion of this facility is a big moment. It means more courts, more kids, and more chances to do it right. And for me, that’s what it has always been about.”

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is also home to the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), a non-profit offering free community-based instructional programs that welcome as many as 1,600 children weekly to the facility. More than 2,000 children participate in JMTP programs offsite, at schools and CBOs, as well as virtual programming. Many of these kids are from NYC’s most underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods. JMTP’s programs are designed to introduce tennis at an early age, as a life-long health and wellness activity. For some, JMTP’s school-year programs lead to JMTP’s Excellence Program, which provides a pathway to JMTA scholarships. 

"For over a dozen years, our third graders at Central Park East II have received weekly tennis lessons thanks to the unwavering support of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project” said Naomi Smith, principal, Central Park East II. “We are deeply thankful and appreciate its commitment to our students.”

James Sayer, principal at Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem, is also appreciative. “JMTP has been an incredible opportunity for our students. The program has opened doors to high-level play, college scholarship opportunities, and unforgettable experiences—like meeting Billie Jean King! We’re so grateful for the access and excellence JMTP provides.”

A Vision Realized
SPORTIME Randall’s Island reflects a legacy of corporate and personal commitment, leadership and investment that has been sustained through two recessions and a global pandemic, and funded without the use of any taxpayer dollars. SPORTIME’s commitment to NYC and to its work at SPORTIME Randall’s Island is now 20 years in the making, with decades and generations more to come.

“We raised, borrowed and invested $75 million to build the largest and best publicly accessible indoor tennis facility in the world on NYC parkland, and owned by NYC, at which we welcome players and students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds,” said Okin. “We are very proud of what we have built, and even more excited about the opportunities that these world-class facilities will create for our players, coaches, and community members, and, most of all, for our kids.”

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Editor’s Note – Here is DropBox with photos to accompany the release – Click HERE

Media Contact:
Jennefer Witter
The Boreland Group Inc.
917.532.9907
Jwitter@theborelandgroup.com
 

Expansion into New Jersey represents Sportime Pickleball’s first facility outside of New York State

Englewood, NJ (March 3) – Sportime Pickleball is elevating the pickleball experience in New Jersey with the grand opening of its Englewood location on Saturday, March 8. This state-of-the-art facility is designed for competitive and social play for players of all ages and abilities. Featuring 12 dedicated, climate-controlled courts across two interconnected buildings, and conveniently located off Route 4 West, one of Bergen County’s most traveled highways, Sportime Pickleball Englewood is more than just a playing space; the facility is designed to deliver a best-in-class experience, including courtside lounges, changing rooms with showers, a pro shop, and a large party room with court viewing.  Through exclusive Platinum Partnerships with Joola, Selkirk, and Diadem, players will have access to cutting-edge gear and exclusive events that will elevate play and educate guests about the latest pickleball equipment and technology. Sportime Pickleball Englewood will also bring employment opportunities to the local community by creating full- and part-time jobs in management, coaching, client support, hospitality, and maintenance.

As part of its grand opening celebration, Sportime Pickleball Englewood will host a Demo Day from 11 am to 1 pm on Sunday, March 15, 2025. The event is sponsored by Diadem Pickleball, a leading provider of pickleball equipment and apparel.

Although existing Sportime clubs already offer 70 dedicated and hybrid pickleball courts, the Englewood facility is its first in New Jersey, and, along with another new Sportime Pickleball site in Westbury, NY, is one of two dedicated Sportime Pickleball clubs that are opening their doors on March 8th, offering 25 indoor courts between them. March 8th is the official launch of Sportime Pickleball’s ambitious commitment to build more than 15 dedicated pickleball clubs in the tri-state area, offering more than 200 courts by spring 2031. Near-term plans include three sites already under construction, all scheduled to open by fall of 2025, in Yorktown Heights and Armonk, NY, and in Wayne, NJ. Sportime Pickleball is committed to becoming the leading pickleball provider in the Northeast, as its parent company, Sportime Clubs, is for tennis.

“We are delighted to be bringing Sportime Pickleball to New Jersey and we have received an incredibly warm welcome from the Englewood community,” said Claude Okin, President and CEO of Sportime. “We are confident that our premier facility, offering state-of-the-art courts, premium amenities, and an unparalleled playing experience, will be the destination of choice for pickleball players of all levels and abilities in the Bergen County region, and beyond. We are committed to making this facility a vibrant, family-friendly community hub, where players of all levels can train, compete, and connect.” 

Pickleball continues to be the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., and Sportime is at the forefront of this movement, opening world-class clubs that provide an elite player experience. In addition to their Englewood facility, the company is preparing for the opening of additional facilities in Westbury, NY (13 courts) Wayne, NJ (18 courts), Yorktown Heights (12 courts), and Armonk (11 courts). 
Pickleball’s social aspect is especially critical nowadays. As noted in numerous studies, recreational sports can assist in diminishing the current epidemic of loneliness. 

“Pickleball is an effective way to build community and develop important societal bonds,” commented Joe Siegel, Sportime Pickleball’s Managing Director. “It’s an opportunity to break out of the winter doldrums, get in some good exercise, and escape everyday pressures while having fun with old and new friends.” Siegel noted that the Englewood facility will offer drop-in play, instructional clinics, leagues, and year-round social events, and that the Sportime Englewood team is actively collaborating with local community organizations, youth organizations, schools, camps, and senior living communities to expand access to pickleball and ensure that players of all ages can enjoy the sport. “Our doors are open to everyone, whether they are new to the sport or are seasoned players,” Siegel noted.

For more information on Sportime Pickleball Englewood, visit https://www.sportimepickleball.com/ew.

About Sportime Pickleball
Sportime Pickleball, a division of Sportime Clubs, the largest operator of tennis clubs in the greater New York area, will operate dedicated pickleball clubs in the Tri-State area and beyond, with the goal of becoming the leading pickleball club operator in the Northeast. Sportime Clubs will leverage Sportime’s existing infrastructure, management capacity, programming expertise, and a player database of more than 70,000 active members/players. Each Sportime Pickleball location will feature 10-20 indoor, state-of-the-art, pickleball courts that will be available for social and competitive open-play sessions, court-time rentals, tournaments, clinics, instruction, and more. Some locations will also feature restaurant and event spaces, which will be operated by food and beverage partners. 
 

Dear Pickleball Players:

For those of you who joined us for our “soft grand opening” weekend, we hope you enjoyed that preview experience of our amazing club. While we are putting the finishing touches on our facility over the next week, court-time will be available starting Wednesday, March 5th. In addition, select open play sessions will be offered throughout the week. Our full schedule of programming will begin on Saturday, March 8th. Players will be able to enjoy level-based open play sessions, instructional clinics, Up/Downs, Leagues and more.

Download the MYSPORTIME Pickleball Mobile App and Start Playing Today!

Now available on the APP Store and Google Play, our MYSPORTIME App will allow you to book courts, join open play sessions, clinics, special events and more; all at your fingertips and within seconds. And SPORTIME members can reserve courts 7 days in advance and receive special pricing on all programs. Follow the simple instructions below to get started.

1. Download the MYSPORTIME Mobile App: iOS  *  Android
2. Sign into your SPORTIME account.  
3. Select our Englewood location to see all that we have to offer. Click: Register, Add to Cart, Pay and Book.
4. After your reservation is complete, you will have the option to invite other players to join your court-time, or to join programs with you.
5. Make sure to check-in at our front desk when you arrive, using your booking confirmation QR code, which will be saved in the “My Reservations” section of the app.

Players can begin registering for instructional clinics, open plays, and reserving court-time now. SPORTIME members can reserve court-time and book open plays 7 days in advance. For a sneak peek at our weekly Pickleball schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you have any questions, would like to schedule a private lesson or join a program, or want more info, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling or texting our Virtual Help Desk, whenever the club is open, at (551) 307-1512.

We can’t wait to welcome you to SPORTIME Pickleball Englewood!  

SPORTIME Pickleball is proud to become a Platinum partner of DUPR, the world’s most accurate rating platform for pickleball players. Over 1 Million players use DUPR, providing them with real-time match results and assessments, access to historical match data, and the ability to network with other players within the pickleball community.

SPORTIME will be offering special DUPR-rated Open Play sessions and tournaments at multiple facilities this fall, ensuring that each event will include players of the same level, based upon their DUPR rating.

If you haven’t already set up your free DUPR account, sign up now at https://www.dupr.com/  and be sure to select SPORTIME as your home club to get started! Click here to visit our webpage.