Chicago guide
Find people to play pickleball with in Chicago
A game of pickleball needs a partner, and doubles needs three other players. Leisure Friends helps adults in Chicago find people who want to play at a similar level, at times you are free, strictly as friends.
Members in Chicago who publish a pickleball activity profile are open to meeting an activity partner in a public place. This page does not list them; joining or signing in does.
Where to play
- Courts across the city. The Chicago Park District lists 59 facilities with pickleball courts, from neighbourhood parks to the lakefront, in its pickleball court directory.
- Downtown: Maggie Daley Park. Ten combination pickleball and tennis courts at 337 E. Randolph St. The park’s site explains how to reserve a court, or call (312) 742-7651.
- Indoors, all year. McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave., has an indoor pickleball court, and the Park District says pickleball is also offered in many of its fieldhouse gyms, which allows year-round play.
Rules, hours, fees and open-play times vary by park and season. Check the Park District’s page for the court you choose.
How to find people to play with
- Say what you play and how well. Create and publish an activity profile for Pickleball and choose your level, from beginner to competitive. Add a profile photo too: Explore only shows people who have one.
- Add the times you are usually free. Other members see only the hours the two of you have in common, unless you choose to show your whole week.
- Post an Activity, or ask to join one. With a profile photo you can post one: set People in total to 4 for doubles or 2 for singles, choose a public place such as a park’s courts, and say what you have in mind. Or ask to join an Activity somebody else has posted.
- Agree the time and place in the app before you meet.
Meeting safely
Meet in a public place, at a time you have both agreed. Tell a friend where you are going. Every member accepts the Platonic Pledge before they can contact anyone, and you can block or report anybody at any time.
Questions people ask
- Does it cost anything to join?
- No. Leisure Friends does not currently charge for the service. Any cost of playing, such as a court reservation or a program fee, is paid by each person directly to the venue.
- I have never played. Can I still join?
- Yes. Choose beginner as your level, and look for people at a similar one.
- Can I find people for singles instead?
- Yes. Set People in total to 2 when you post an Activity.
- Is this a dating app?
- No. Leisure Friends is for platonic activities only, and every member accepts the Platonic Pledge before they can contact anyone.
Court details from the Chicago Park District, checked : Chicago Park District: Pickleball courts; Chicago Park District: Maggie Daley Tennis Courts; Chicago Park District: Pickleball Court, McFetridge Sports Center; Chicago Park District: “Pickleball Mania” (indoor play in fieldhouses).
Find people in Chicago who are up for pickleball
Members see each other once they have joined. Nothing about anyone is shown on this page.