Sarasota and Bradenton have been building pickleball courts fast. Sarasota County has been working toward 90 dedicated courts under a plan that started in 2017, Visit Sarasota now counts more than 100 indoor and outdoor courts in the county, and next door in Manatee County, G.T. Bray Park has one of the best public setups in Florida. Here's where to play, from beach courts on Siesta Key to covered courts in Bradenton.
Quick picks
- Best public complex: G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton, 20 courts with 14 covered
- Best free courts in Sarasota: Pompano Trailhead, 12 courts on the Legacy Trail
- Best beach courts: Siesta Beach, 6 courts a short walk from the sand
- Best indoor club: The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch, 8 climate-controlled courts
- Best in Venice: Ronald Foxworthy Campus, rebuilt and reopened in 2025
Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch
Manatee County's courts are anchored by G.T. Bray, with free outdoor courts at Lakewood Ranch Park and a big new complex on the way.
Bradenton
G.T. Bray Park: C.V. Walton Racquet Center
- County park
- 20 courts
- 14 covered
- Indoor too
20 dedicated courts, 14 of them covered with big ceiling fans, plus indoor drop-in play in the recreation center gym. Named one of Pickleball Magazine's 25 great places to play in 2023. Day passes are $5, and courts can be booked up to seven days ahead in the CourtReserve app.
5502 33rd Avenue Dr W, Bradenton, FL 34209
Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch Park
- County park
- Free
- 6 courts
Six courts rebuilt in 2024, with a practice wall and shaded seating. Pickleball runs sunrise to sunset, and you get to the courts through the Lakewood Ranch High School entrance.
5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34211
Lakewood Ranch
The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch
- Indoor club
- A/C
- 8 courts
Eight permanent, climate-controlled indoor courts, back under new ownership since June 2025. Courts and memberships are booked through CourtReserve. The best rainy-day option in the area.
1300 Sarasota Center Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240
G.T. Bray has a second ambassador page here, and there's an ambassador at Lakewood Ranch High School too. One ambassador plays at Esplanade Golf & Country Club in Lakewood Ranch, which is members only (ambassador). Coming next: Manatee County is building 24 more courts, 14 of them covered, at Premier Sports Campus North on Rangeland Parkway. The county had aimed for late 2026, but no opening date was confirmed when we checked.
Sarasota
Sarasota County's outdoor courts are first come, first served and open year-round. Some smaller parks ask you to bring your own net, so check the county list before you go.
Sarasota
Pompano Trailhead
- County park
- Outdoor
- 12 courts
Twelve outdoor courts at a Legacy Trail stop that opened in 2022, behind Robarts Arena off Fruitville Road. The biggest free public spot in Sarasota.
601 S Pompano Ave, Sarasota, FL
Siesta Key
Siesta Beach
- County park
- Outdoor
- 6 courts
Six dedicated courts that opened in 2023, a short walk from one of the best beaches in Florida. Visit Sarasota says the lights shut off at 9pm.
948 Beach Rd, Sarasota, FL
Sarasota
Longwood Park
- County park
- Outdoor
- 6 courts
Six outdoor courts, first come, first served. The park's indoor gym was listed as closed when we checked.
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota
Twin Lakes Park
- County park
- Lit
- 6 courts
Six new lighted, ADA-accessible courts that opened in June 2026, next to the county's new parks building.
6700 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241
Sarasota
Dill Dinkers Sarasota
- Indoor club
- 11 courts
Eleven indoor courts off Tallevast Road, with memberships and court booking for members and non-members.
500 Tallevast Rd, Sarasota, FL
More Royal Ambassadors play in Sarasota (find them here), including at Sarasota Pompano Pickleball (ambassador) and at Village Walk, a gated community where the courts are for residents and their guests (ambassador). The county also has smaller outdoor sites at Fruitville, Colonial Oaks, Laurel, Newtown Estates and Woodmere parks, plus indoor sessions at several rec centers that need registration. See the county's full list ↗
Venice and South County
Venice
Ronald Foxworthy Campus
- County park
- Lit
- Rebuilt 2025
Formerly Bypass Park. Hurricane Helene damaged the courts in 2024, and the county rebuilt them from scratch. They reopened in September 2025 with three new lighted courts alongside the renovated originals, plus new shade and a restroom.
1101 Gulf Coast Blvd, Venice, FL 34285
Englewood
Englewood Sports Complex
- County park
- 12 outdoor courts
- Indoor too
Twelve outdoor courts plus indoor play, at the southern end of the county. In May 2026 it hosted the SW Florida Powerball Amateur State Championships, presented by the PPA Tour.
1300 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223
Looking for a game in Venice? Find the Royal Ambassadors in Venice. Nokomis Community Park and Wellfield Park have a few more outdoor courts.
Last checked October 2026. Court counts, hours and access change, so check the venue's own page before you go. Know a spot in Sarasota or Bradenton we missed? Tell your local Royal Ambassador.
When to play
October through May is prime outdoor season. Late May to mid-October is the rainy season, which the National Weather Service says brings almost daily afternoon storms and frequent lightning, peaking from July to early September. In summer:
- Play early. Morning sessions beat both the heat and the afternoon storms.
- Get off the court at the first thunder. Lightning is the real hazard in Florida, not the rain.
- Have an indoor backup. The covered courts at G.T. Bray, the indoor courts at The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch and Dill Dinkers, and the county's indoor rec center sessions keep you playing when a storm rolls in.
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 Sarasota?
Sarasota County's outdoor courts are free and first come, first served. Pompano Trailhead has the most (12), and Siesta Beach, Longwood Park and Twin Lakes Park have 6 each.
What's the best place to play pickleball in Bradenton?
G.T. Bray Park. It has 20 dedicated courts, 14 of them covered, plus indoor play in the gym. A day pass is $5, and you can book courts in the CourtReserve app.
Is there indoor pickleball in Sarasota and Bradenton?
Yes. The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch has 8 climate-controlled courts, Dill Dinkers Sarasota has 11, G.T. Bray runs indoor drop-in in its gym, and Sarasota County holds indoor sessions at several rec centers.
Can you play pickleball on Siesta Key?
Yes. Siesta Beach park has 6 dedicated pickleball courts, first come, first served, a short walk from the beach.
Where can I try pickleball paddles before buying in Sarasota?
With a Royal Ambassador. Ambassadors play at G.T. Bray, Pompano Trailhead, Longwood Park, the Foxworthy Campus in Venice and more. Find one on our ambassador map and book a demo.
Demo paddles with a Royal Ambassador in Sarasota & Bradenton
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