Tennis Canada and the United States Tennis Association have held discussions aimed at expanding tennis participation and improving access to affordable facilities as both countries experience significant growth in the sport.
Representatives from the two national federations met Monday during the National Bank Open in Toronto, exchanging strategies for developing and maintaining tennis facilities, particularly in regions where colder weather limits outdoor play.
The discussions covered ways to cover outdoor courts for year-round use, rehabilitate aging facilities and develop partnerships with municipalities and other organizations.
More than six million Canadians played tennis in 2025, an increase of more than one million compared with 2023.
Despite that growth, Tennis Canada estimates there are approximately 7,500 courts nationwide, with only about 750 covered for year-round use. As a result, many Canadian courts can only be used for roughly four months each year.
The United States has experienced similar growth. Tennis participation there increased by 1.6 million players in 2025, reaching a record 27.3 million. The USTA is targeting 35 million players by 2035, equivalent to roughly 10% of the U.S. population.
Both organizations also identified immigration as an important contributor to rising participation.
USTA data showed participation among women increased 10%, while participation among Black Americans rose 14%, Hispanic and Latino players 12%, and Asian and Pacific Islander players 10%.
Tennis Canada said the sport ranks among the top three favourites for new Canadians, compared with the top five among people born and raised in the country.
During the Toronto meeting, officials also discussed how data and technology can be used to track court usage and demonstrate demand for additional facilities.
One area of focus was finding ways to better recognize public tennis courts as community recreation infrastructure alongside facilities such as swimming pools and ice rinks.
Tennis Canada also outlined its existing infrastructure programs. Through a partnership with National Bank, the organization is working to revitalize outdoor courts.
A separate partnership with Rogers aims to establish 160 year-round courts at as many as 30 facilities by 2029. Rogers provides $200,000 in seed funding for each project.
About $3.1 million of a planned $5.6-million investment has already been committed through the initiative, helping generate more than $50 million in new tennis infrastructure.
While Tennis Canada and the USTA operate on different financial scales, both organizations said improving access to facilities is essential to sustaining the surge in participation.
Officials also emphasized that investment in tennis facilities can provide broader benefits, including physical health, leadership opportunities and stronger community connections.
