The Valley of the Sun might be the easiest place in the country to find a game. Mesa is now the long-term home of the PPA Tour, the East Valley keeps opening big free complexes, and Scottsdale runs lighted drop-in courts until 10:30 at night. Here's where to play across Phoenix, Scottsdale and the rest of the Valley.
Quick picks
- Best free courts in Scottsdale: Horizon Park, 10 renovated courts with LED lights
- Biggest free complex: Frontier Family Park in Queen Creek, 24 lighted courts
- For the pro experience: PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, 41 courts
- Best resort courts: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, 17 lighted courts
- Best summer escape: Paradise Valley Community Center, 4 indoor courts
Scottsdale
Scottsdale's public courts are free and first come, first served, with no reservations. Most are lit and open from sunrise to 10:30pm, and there's a 30-minute limit when people are waiting. Mornings are busiest.
North-central Scottsdale
Horizon Park
- City park
- Lit
- 10 courts
Ten outdoor courts, recently expanded from eight and resurfaced on a post-tension concrete base with new LED lighting. One of the best free setups in the Valley.
15444 N 100th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
East Scottsdale
Cholla Park
- City park
- Lit
- 8 courts
Eight lighted outdoor courts with free drop-in play from sunrise to 10:30pm.
11320 E Via Linda, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
North Scottsdale
Thompson Peak Park
- City park
- Lit
- 3 courts
Three lighted courts plus three portable nets, next to an inclusive playground. A good option north of the 101.
20199 N 78th Pl, Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale also has free lighted courts at Ashler Hills Park (8 courts) and Scottsdale Community College (6 courts), with no Royal Ambassador yet. Two ambassador venues are private: The Orchard, an indoor club that rents its 2 courts by the hour (ambassador), and the members-only racquet club at Desert Highlands (ambassador). See Scottsdale's court list ↗
Phoenix
Phoenix's outdoor park courts are open 5:30am to 10pm. The indoor community-center courts need a Phoenix recreation membership pass, and their schedules change by season.
North Phoenix
Paseo Highlands Park
- City park
- Outdoor
- 6 courts
Six outdoor courts and the main hub for North Phoenix players, open from early morning until 10pm.
3435 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Northeast Phoenix
Roadrunner Park
- City park
- Outdoor
- 4 courts
Four outdoor courts open from 5:30am to 10pm. Handy for the Paradise Valley and Cactus Rd area.
3502 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix, AZ
Northwest Phoenix
Telephone Pioneers of America Park
- City park
- Outdoor
- 4 courts
Four outdoor courts in northwest Phoenix, open 5:30am to 10pm.
1946 W Morningside Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85023
North-central Phoenix
Paradise Valley Community Center
- Indoor
- Rec pass
- 4 courts
Four indoor gym courts, the best way to keep playing through the summer heat. A Phoenix recreation membership pass is required, and session times change by season, so call ahead (602-495-3777).
17402 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ
Desert Ridge
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
- Resort
- Lit
- 17 courts
- Pro shop
A dedicated pickleball center with 17 lighted courts, a pro shop and lessons from certified instructors. Built for a pickleball getaway; check with the resort about court access if you're not staying there.
5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Phoenix's biggest public site is Pecos Park in Ahwatukee, with 16 outdoor courts. For Royal Ambassadors anywhere in the city, see Phoenix ambassadors.
Mesa and the East Valley
This is where the Valley's biggest courts are. Since 2024, Queen Creek, Chandler and Tempe have all opened or expanded large free complexes, and Mesa has become a pro-tour hub.
Mesa
PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds
- 41 courts
- Stadium court
- Pro events
Formerly Legacy Park. 41 courts, including a covered championship stadium court, and the PPA Tour's long-term home since September 2026. It hosted the 2024 USA Pickleball National Championships, and the Carvana Mesa Cup returns February 15–21, 2027. Daily play, leagues, camps and memberships.
6321 S Ellsworth Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212
Queen Creek
Frontier Family Park
- Town park
- Lit
- 24 courts
24 lighted courts, the biggest free public complex on this list. Opened in 2024 with a fishing lake and splash pad. Some courts can be reserved through the town; the rest are open for drop-in. Open 5:30am to 10pm.
20039 S 220th St, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Chandler
Tumbleweed Park Pickleball Facility
- City park
- LED lights
- 18 courts
18 free outdoor courts with LED lighting that opened in September 2025. First come, first served, 6am to 10:30pm.
2041 S Pioneer Pkwy, Chandler, AZ 85286
Gilbert
Gilbert Regional Park
- Town park
- Lit
- 16 courts
16 lighted courts and one of the busiest, most social scenes in the East Valley. The park is open 5:30am to 10pm.
3005 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ
Tempe
Tempe Sports Complex
- City park
- 16 courts
Doubled from 8 to 16 free courts in April 2026. The original eight were billed as Arizona's first ADA-accessible pickleball courts. First come, first served except during classes.
8401 S Hardy Dr, Tempe, AZ
Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills High School courts
- Club-run
- 9 courts
Six lighted courts on the west side and three unlit ones on the east, run by the Fountain Hills Pickleball Club. The club's membership has a waitlist; members can bring guests with the club's guest form.
16100 E Palisades Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Queen Creek's Mansel Carter Oasis Park has 4 more courts (ambassador). Many Valley ambassadors also play in private 55+ and RV communities, such as Monte Vista Village in Mesa (ambassador) and Happy Trails in Surprise (ambassador); those courts are for residents and their guests.
Last checked October 2026. Court counts, hours and access change, so check the venue's own page before you go. Know a spot in the Valley we missed? Tell your local Royal Ambassador.
When to play
Fall through spring is peak outdoor season in the Valley. In summer, the heat is the real opponent:
- Play early or late. Maricopa County advises scheduling outdoor activity for the cooler parts of the day and skipping it during Extreme Heat Warnings. Most courts above are lit, so evenings work too.
- Drink before you're thirsty and rest in the shade regularly.
- Go indoors when you can. Phoenix moves its indoor community-center sessions to evenings and Saturdays in summer.
What to bring
- The right ball. Outdoor balls are harder with smaller holes and handle wind better. Indoor clubs often use indoor balls, so check before you go.
- Water and shade. Even in winter, midday sun on a hard court adds up.
- A paddle that fits your game. Not sure what to play with? Our paddle shape guide is a good start, or demo a few with a Royal Ambassador before you choose yours.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I play pickleball for free in Scottsdale?
Horizon Park (10 courts), Cholla Park (8) and Thompson Peak Park (3) are free, lighted and first come, first served. Ashler Hills Park and Scottsdale Community College have free courts too.
Where can I play pickleball for free in Phoenix?
Outdoor city courts at Paseo Highlands, Roadrunner, Telephone Pioneers of America and Pecos Park are open 5:30am to 10pm. The city's indoor courts need a recreation membership pass.
What's the biggest pickleball facility in the Phoenix area?
The PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa has 41 courts and a stadium court. For free public play, Frontier Family Park in Queen Creek has 24 lighted courts.
Is there pro pickleball in Phoenix?
Yes. Mesa's PPA Campus at Arizona Athletic Grounds is the PPA Tour's long-term home and hosts the Carvana Mesa Cup, next held February 15–21, 2027.
Where can I try pickleball paddles before buying in Phoenix?
With a Royal Ambassador. Ambassadors play at Horizon, Cholla, Paseo Highlands, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge and across the East Valley. Find one on our ambassador map and book a demo.
Demo paddles with a Royal Ambassador in the Valley
Royal Ambassadors play at many of the courts above. Find one near you to try a few paddles on court, book a demo and get a good deal before you buy.
Find your ambassador