On a rainy evening in Portland, tennis courts are busy. Inside local facilities and covered community spaces, beginners gather for lessons, adults meet after work, and kids pick up rackets for the first time. When summer arrives, the same energy spills into neighborhood parks across the city. What has changed isn’t whether people are playing – it’s how many more people are.

According to the 2026 U.S. Tennis Participation Report, the Pacific Northwest is now the fastest-growing tennis region in the United States. Participation in the region grew 9.8 percent year over year – more than double the national average of 4.8 percent – with active players increasing from approximately 1.1 million to 1.3 million people. Over the past 11 years, participation has grown 116 percent, leading the country.

For many Portland residents, the appeal is simple. Tennis offers something increasingly rare: an activity that combines movement, social connection, and accessibility across generations. Research from the Mayo Clinic has found that regular tennis participation is associated with significantly longer life expectancy – up to 9.7 additional years. Players can start at any age, play recreationally or competitively, and participate year-round.

“We’re seeing entire communities rediscover the sport,” said Matthew Warren, CEO of USTA Pacific Northwest. “Kids are learning alongside parents, adults are coming back to a sport they haven’t played since school, and neighbors are meeting each other on courts close to home. The growth is happening because people want ways to be active that are social, welcoming, and easy to start.”

The region’s growth is supported by a broad network of local providers, including clubs, teaching professionals, and community organizations. Residents interested in getting started can find nearby providers offering lessons, leagues, and beginner opportunities throughout Portland and surrounding neighborhoods by visiting ustapnw.org.

Access has also expanded beyond traditional playing spaces. In partnership with schools, community organizations, and local parks departments, tennis programs delivered by USTA Pacific Northwest – a nonprofit and regional section of the sport’s national governing body – introduce new players to the sport in familiar neighborhood spaces.

Summer recreation programs include beginner adult sessions and youth camps for ages 5–17, held in neighborhood public parks. Loaner equipment and need-based scholarships are available, and many programs also offer early drop-off options for families who need morning flexibility.

Sanja Lemes, tennis director of USTA Pacific Northwest shared, “With our low-cost programs and access to public parks and schools, we aim for cost to never be a barrier. Inclusion is at the heart of our mission and we believe that anyone who wants to play tennis should be able to.”

Portland residents can learn more about local opportunities and register at ustapnw.org/rectennis.

But the growth story brings a new challenge.

The same participation report shows demand is now outpacing available space. Across the Pacific Northwest, more than 1.3 million active players share a limited number of indoor courts – roughly one court for every 2,205 players – and an estimated 1.4 million additional latent players have played before and would like to return. Yet only a small portion of courts are both indoor and publicly accessible. In a region known for long rainy seasons, year-round indoor access is essential to keeping communities active.

“Our communities have embraced tennis,” said China Kirk, COO of USTA Pacific Northwest. “The next step is making sure everyone who wants to play actually has a place to play. That means protecting existing courts, restoring courts that have fallen into disrepair, and creating accessible indoor places to play in partnership with cities, schools, and community organizations.”

USTA Pacific Northwest works with municipalities, schools, and community partners across Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Northern Idaho to expand access, support park programming, and create more opportunities for year-round play so residents can stay active close to home.

The recent growth reflects more than a sports trend. It signals a regional desire for activities that connect neighbors, support well-being, and activate shared public spaces – and across Portland, more people are discovering that a tennis court may be closer than they think.

For Portland residents, the opportunity is immediate: find a nearby program, try a beginner session, or return to the sport. Local providers, neighborhood parks, and community spaces already offer ways to participate at any skill level. 

Experience the fun of tennis and learn more here.