Cambridge City Council is se to introduce fees for booking tennis courts at two of the city’s most popular locations. From Monday, 7th April 2025, players looking to enjoy a game at Jesus Green or Christ’s Pieces will have to pay up, sparking concerns over access to affordable sport.
In a letter sent to users of Christ’s Pieces Tennis Courts, the council explained the reasoning behind the decision, citing financial difficulties as a key factor. Maintaining tennis courts is costly, and the council argues that the fees will allow for continued reinvestment in public sports facilities across Cambridge.
“Tennis is a fantastic way to exercise and have fun, so we’re really keen to give as many residents as possible the chance to play. However, as part of a package of measures in our Budget, we have taken the difficult decision to charge a fee for our most popular courts.
How Much Will It Cost?
The new fee structure will see peak-time bookings – between 12:15 pm and 2:30 pm, and from 6:15 pm onwards – costing £5 per court for a 45-minute session. Off-peak slots, running from 7:00 am to 12:15 pm and 2:30 pm to 6:15 pm, will be priced at £2 per court.
While Jesus Green and Christ’s Pieces will now require payment, other council-run tennis courts across the city remain free to use. Courts at Coleridge Recreation Ground, King George V Playing Field, Lammas Land, and Nightingale Recreation Ground will still operate on a turn-up-and-play basis. However, players at Nightingale Avenue must book online, though access remains free.
The decision has divided opinion, with some residents frustrated that a previously free public resource now comes with a price tag. “It’s disappointing,” said one local player at Christ’s Pieces. “Tennis has always been a sport that’s free and accessible in Cambridge, and now it feels like that’s changing.”
Others, however, understand the council’s reasoning. “If it means better maintenance and investment in the courts, then maybe it’s worth it,” another resident added.
How to Book
For those looking to secure their slots, bookings can be made via the Cambridge Parks Tennis website at https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/CambridgeParksTennis. As the new system comes into effect, it remains to be seen whether this change will serve to enhance or hinder public access to tennis in the city.
