Pickleball in Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville has several ways to find a pickleball game, from eight new dedicated courts at Tom Petty Park to established open play at The 300 Club and indoor sessions at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center. Northside Park adds another free public option, and the University of Florida area helps support an active local playing community.

If you are arriving alone, The 300 Club is a practical starting point because it publishes recurring all-level open play five days a week. For free public outdoor courts, Tom Petty Park and Northside Park are the main City options.

Where to Play Pickleball in Gainesville

• Tom Petty Park, 501 NE 16th Ave. The City opened eight new dedicated outdoor pickleball courts here in 2026. The courts have lighting, and the renovated area includes seating, shade structures, restrooms, and other park improvements. These are public courts, though the City does not publish a standing pickleball open-play schedule for them. Check the City's Tom Petty Park pickleball information.
• The 300 Club, 3715 NW 12th Ave. The club has seven pickleball courts plus four additional courts on its hard tennis court, with portable nets available. All-level open play is scheduled at 6:30 PM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 AM Tuesday, and 2:00 PM Sunday. Guests can pay per visit, and an unlimited monthly pickleball option includes access to the online court reservation system. The club also has certified pickleball instructors. Check The 300 Club pickleball schedule.
• Northside Park, 5701 NW 34th Blvd. This City park has outdoor pickleball and tennis courts as part of its Generations Play Zone. Restrooms, shaded viewing areas, a pavilion, walking paths, fitness equipment, and other recreation amenities are nearby. The City lists general park hours as dawn to dusk daily and does not publish a formal pickleball open-play schedule on the park page. Check Northside Park information.
• Alachua County Sports & Events Center, 4870 Celebration Pointe Ave. This large indoor facility can be configured for up to 21 pickleball courts and hosts open pickleball sessions, tournaments, and other organized play when the event calendar allows. Alachua County's current fee schedule includes a pickleball open-gym rate and an option that includes paddle rental. The number of available courts and playing dates vary with other events in the building. Check Alachua County Sports & Events Center information.

Getting Started

The 300 Club is a useful starting point if you know the basic rules and want to begin playing with other people. Its open play welcomes all levels and runs on five days of the week. Because these are organized open-play periods rather than an introductory class, a first-time player may want instruction before joining a busy rotation. Check The 300 Club's current pickleball schedule.

The 300 Club also lists certified instructors for players who want structured lessons. For additional individual instruction in the Gainesville area, use this site's Coaches section.

Open Play and Organized Pickleball

The 300 Club has one of Gainesville's clearest recurring open-play schedules. All-level sessions are scheduled Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, Tuesday mornings, and Sunday afternoons. Guests can join for a per-visit fee, making these sessions useful for players who do not want a long-term membership.

The Alachua County Sports & Events Center also hosts indoor open pickleball when its event calendar permits. The facility has supported multiple open-play dates as well as pickleball showcases and tournaments. Because the building is also used for basketball, volleyball, track and field, conventions, and other events, pickleball availability changes throughout the year. Check the facility calendar before traveling for indoor play.

Tom Petty Park and Northside Park provide public outdoor court space without a City-published recurring pickleball session. These parks are more predictable when you arrange partners in advance or already know when a local group is meeting.

Visiting Gainesville and Looking for a Game?

If you are traveling alone, check The 300 Club first. Its five-day recurring open-play schedule gives you a specific time to arrive and a group to join. Guest access is available for a per-visit fee, so you do not need a monthly membership for an occasional game.

For free outdoor play, Tom Petty Park is a useful destination with eight dedicated, lighted pickleball courts. The courts opened in 2026 as part of a major park renovation. The City does not publish a standing open-play rotation there, so visitors should distinguish between having courts available and having a guaranteed group waiting to play.

If weather makes outdoor play impractical, check the Alachua County Sports & Events Center calendar. Open pickleball is offered on selected dates, and the indoor facility can accommodate a large number of courts. Paddle rental is available as part of the County's open-gym fee structure, which can also be useful for travelers without equipment.