How much does it cost to play tennis in the UK?
Tennis is a great sport for people of all ages and it can be much cheaper than you might think.
From free tennis sessions to low-cost kids equipment, there are lots of options out there so everyone can get out on court and enjoy playing the sport.
If you’re a beginner looking to get into tennis, want to get back into the sport, or looking for an activity for the whole family, we’ve pulled together this guide on how much it costs to play tennis in the UK.
Quick links
Can you play tennis for free?
Yes, you can play tennis for free across the UK.
Barclays Free Park Tennis and Barclays Big Tennis Weekend brings you all the fun of playing tennis, without the cost.
Barclays Free Park Tennis
Free, social tennis sessions, every weekend at your local park courts.
Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions are open to all ages and abilities, and are a great way to get on court with friends and family, as well as meeting new people.
Run by a team of local volunteers, Barclays Free Park Tennis is the perfect place to get active, learn new skills and have fun on court.
Find Barclays Free Park Tennis session near you
Barclays Big Tennis Weekend
Barclays Big Tennis Weekends are free tennis open days held at parks, clubs and community venues across the country.
Whether you are playing for the first time or returning to the sport, you can take part in activities and enjoy a fun, social day of tennis.
Find a Barclays Big Tennis Weekend
How much does it cost to book a tennis court?
Many park tennis courts across the UK offer free bookings at certain times of the day and for different groups.
The price of booking a park court is often dependent on the location. Here is a rough guide of how much it costs to make a booking:
|
Location |
Price (per hour) |
|
London |
£8-15+ |
|
Rest of the UK |
£4-8 |
If you are playing in a group of four in London, prices start from around £2 per person and outside of London you can book a court from £1 per person.
Please note: these prices are an estimate and may vary from venue to venue.
Many park venues also have additional offers to give you the best value when booking a court. For example, Season Passes can offer families unlimited bookings throughout the year for a one-off fee. The more you play, the more you save – win, win.
Find your nearest park tennis court
How much does it cost for kids to start playing tennis?
Kids can get everything they need to start playing tennis from just £4.99 with the FAGE LTA Youth Starter Offer.
When you sign up to the offer, your child will receive:
- A junior tennis racket (size 21", 23" or 25" depending on child's age)
- A set of tennis balls
- Access to free taster tennis sessions (Barclays Free Park Tennis and / or Barclays Big Tennis Weekend)
- An LTA Advantage membership – with a wide range of exclusive discounts and benefits
Claim your FAGE LTA Youth Starter Offer
It’s a great way to help your kids get on court for the first time, before going on to join a FAGE LTA Youth course.
LTA Youth courses are fun, exciting group lessons for kids aged 4-18 run at local parks, clubs and other tennis venues across the UK.
Prices for FAGE LTA Youth courses vary across locations and venues, with prices starting from as little as £7.
How much do tennis lessons cost?
Prices for tennis lessons vary across the UK, depending on location, venue and coaching programmes available.
Our research shows that the average cost of a children's group lesson across Great Britain is £14 per hour, with 40% of coaches offering group coaching for under £7.50 per hour.
The average cost of an adult group session is £15 across Great Britain. Meanwhile, the average cost of a private (1 to 1) lesson is £31 per hour.
If you live outside of London and the South-East, prices for both types of lesson are generally lower than the averages stated here.
How much does tennis equipment cost?
How much you want to spend on tennis equipment is entirely up to you. You can still play without buying anything in advance.
All equipment – including tennis rackets and balls – are provided for you at Barclays Free Park Tennis and Barclays Big Tennis Weekends.
If you are starting out with tennis lessons, you can speak to the coach about borrowing equipment, so you don’t need to buy anything in advance. Some tennis venues also offer equipment hire services, and most charity shops have secondhand tennis rackets.
For kids, when you sign them up to the FAGE LTA Youth Starter Offer, they’ll get a racket, balls and more for just £4.99.
Our partners at Pro:Direct have great offers on a variety of products. LTA Advantage members can also enjoy up to 15% off purchases at Pro:Direct.
Here’s a rough guide on tennis equipment prices:
|
Equipment |
Cost (from) |
|
Junior tennis rackets |
>£20 |
|
Adult tennis rackets |
£40 |
|
Tennis balls |
£4 |
|
Junior tennis shoes |
£25 |
|
Adult tennis shoes |
£35 |
|
Tennis bag |
£20 |
|
Tennis racket grip |
£2 |
All costs provided are based on lowest priced items on Pro:Direct
Check out our tennis equipment guide
Can you play tennis without a court?
One of the great things about tennis is it doesn't matter where you are, who you're with and what equipment you have to hand, there's always a way to practice your skills.
Whether it's using a balloon to play inside or playing games in the garden or local park – you don't need a court or equipment to have fun playing tennis.
If you fancy a knockabout with the family at home or outside, check out these activities to get you started.