Court 16 Wants to Teach You This Summer’s Hottest Sport for Free

“Tennis, but smaller” is how devotees describe the sport of pickleball. Whatever you prefer calling it, the game has been all the rage in New York City this year, with increased demand for new courts across the city. Here’s your chance to learn how to play, for free. 

A brand new, state-of-the-art Court 16 club is opening soon at 28 Liberty Street, and the company is celebrating with a two-week outdoor soiree featuring free lessons and a U.S. Open viewing party. The Tennis and Pickleball Classic kicks off on August 29 outside the new Court 16, the tennis center “designed for the young and the young at heart” that has two other locations in Long Island City and Boerum Hill. 

To celebrate the new Lower Manhattan outpost, you can sign up for kids’ tennis academy for ages 2.5 to 15 years, adult tennis instruction or hop on the pickle wagon and try a pickleball class to learn the rules and get a great workout. 

The free party takes place on weekdays, August 29 to September 11, from 11a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 11a.m. to 4p.m. Alamo Drafthouse will be serving food from noon to 3 p.m. each day. Sign up here. 

photo: Court 16