Tennis participation in New York and New Jersey continues to climb

Tennis participation continues to surge across the Eastern section, with 2.6 million people (ages six and older) in New York and northern New Jersey picking up a racquet at least once in 2025—according to findings from the Physical Activity Council (PAC) and the PLAY study, which both monitor the popularity of various sports and activities. 

The number grew from 2.3 million in 2024 and 1.9 million in 2020, constituting an average 7.2% increase in players each year over the last five years. (That percentage, incidentally, outpaces the national growth rate of 4.8%.) Overall, an astounding 11.8% of the entire population in the area hit a tennis court in 2025, ranking second out of the 16 geographic sections covered in the report. The naturally warmer Southern California claimed the top spot in that category.

“We are ecstatic to see this kind of sustained growth over the last five years,” said USTA Eastern Executive Director & CEO Amber Marino. “These numbers are a testament to the joy and connection the sport can bring. We are energized to build on this momentum and continue to expand access and develop play opportunities, so that even more individuals and communities across the section can realize the benefits tennis has to offer in 2026 and beyond.”

Other local findings from the report:

Of the 2.6 million players, 1.5 were considered “core” players, meaning they engaged with the sport ten or more times. About 500,000 had never before played tennis, a 35% increase over 2024. The study also found that players from the region overall skewed younger than in other parts of the country, with 69% of participants under the age of 45.  

Read more about the growth of tennis across the country