Charges Information
Live on the venue pages: 27/02/2026
Pay & Play fee change - effective 1 April 2026
From 1 April 2026, the Pay & Play court booking fee will increase by 25p to £6 per hour.
This adjustment supports ongoing court maintenance, gate access systems, booking technology, and long-term sustainability of the park tennis facilities.
The Play Tennis Pass remains £40 per year for households, providing excellent value for regular players.
We understand pricing changes matter, which is why free options through the Free Play Tennis Pass and community sessions remain available (see below).
Our Commitment
- Tennis remains accessible through the Free Play Tennis Pass option to eligible residents.
- Children and young people can continue to access courts in a secure area.
- Free community tennis opportunities will continue across the borough.
- We are committed to fair and transparent pricing.
Myth vs Reality
Myth: Tennis is no longer free in Elmbridge.
Reality: Free opportunities are still available. Eligible residents can apply for a Free Play Tennis Pass, and free community sessions run during term time with our authorised coaching providers.
Myth: The booking system makes it harder for children to play tennis.
Reality: In reality, the system makes access safer, and more reliable. A parent or guardian books a guaranteed time slot in a secure, controlled-access area and provides their child with a screenshot of the booking confirmation and PIN code. Rather than creating barriers, the booking system provides structure, safety, and certainty, giving children the freedom to play while giving parents peace of mind.
Myth: The price increase makes tennis unaffordable.
Reality: The annual household Play Tennis Pass remains at just £40 per year (76p per week), continuing to offer excellent value for regular players. For Pay & Play users, the fee will increase by only 25p, bringing the total to £6 per session from 1 April 2026, a modest adjustment. Importantly, free options will still be available, ensuring tennis remains accessible to everyone. Overall, tennis continues to offer affordable ways to play, whether you’re a regular participant or an occasional visitor.
Accessibility and Support
Free Play Tennis Pass (Elmbridge Residents)
Elmbridge Borough Council has been offering Free Play Tennis Passes since 2021, to help ensure tennis remains accessible to the community.
You may be eligible if:
- You live within Elmbridge Borough, and
- You receive qualifying low-income benefits
The Free Play Tennis Pass provides:
- The same booking access as the standard Play Tennis Pass
- Court bookings at no extra charge (within daily limits)
- Access to all Elmbridge Park Tennis courts
To apply or check eligibility, please email: parkstennis@elmbridge.gov.uk
Free Community Tennis Sessions (Open to all)
Come and get involved with our free community tennis sessions, running during term time and delivered by our authorised coaching providers. These sessions are open to everyone, whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or getting back into the game.
We recommend checking the group details before booking to make sure the session is right for you.
You can find full details on the main Tennis in Elmbridge coaching page and on the relevant venue pages. We would love to see you on court!
Ways to Play
There are three ways to book and play tennis on the Elmbridge Park Tennis courts (booking limits and court availability remain subject to standard booking terms).
Option 1: Play Tennis Pass
- Cost: £40 per year
- Best for: Regular players and is typically better value after 7 bookings per year or if other household members play as well.
- What you get: 7 days advanced bookings with no additional court fees and covers your household (add up to 4 extra people).
Option 2: Pay & Play
- Current Cost: £5.75 per hour
- Cost: £6 per hour from 1 April 2026
- Best for: Occasional players who want to pay when they book.
- What you get: 7 days advanced bookings, pay per booking.
Option 3: Free Play Tennis Pass
- Cost: £0 (eligible residents only)
- Best for: Elmbridge residents on qualifying benefits
- What you get: all the same benefits as the standard Play Tennis Pass.
Pricing Timeline
We believe in being open about how charges change over time.
| Effective Date | Play Tennis Pass | Pay & Play |
|---|---|---|
| April 2021 | £36 | £5.00 per hour |
| April 2023 | £40 | £50.50 per hour |
| April 2025 | £40 | £5.75 per hour |
| April 2026 | £40 | £6 per hour |
What does this mean for me?
If you have a Play Tennis Pass
- No change to your annual fee
- Continue booking courts as normal
If you use Pay & Play
- Bookings from 1 April 2026 will be charged at £6 per hour
If you are deciding which option is best
- The annual Play Tennis Pass offers better value if you play regularly throughout the year,
- Or if other household members wish to book courts as well.
- To deliver any form of coaching you much hold a valid coaching package.
- To film, or run an organised activity or a non-tennis activity you must hold a valid general hire pass.
Common Questions
We have answered some of the most frequently raised questions below to help explain how Park Tennis operates and how we aim to keep courts accessible, fair, and looked after, while building a long-term sustainable scheme.
Why are there charges for park tennis courts?
Charges support court maintenance, repairs, improvements, security, and booking systems to keep facilities safe, playable, and available year-round.
Why do I need to pay if I already pay Council Tax?
Elmbridge park tennis is operated as a non-discretionary, self-funding service. This means it is not fully funded through general Council Tax. Council Tax supports a wide range of essential local services across the Borough, including but not limited to; social care, waste collection, housing support, environmental services and public safety.
This model is commonly used for optional leisure services to help ensure Park Tennis remains sustainable, well managed and available for those who choose to use it.
Why do I have to book a court and use the gate access system?
The booking and gate access system is not designed to restrict access, it ensures players have a guaranteed court, fair use for everyone, and a more secure playing environment. It also helps:
- Give players certainty that a booked court will be available
- Help reduce misuse, vandalism, and un-authorised non-tennis activity
- Allow usage data collection to help plan maintenance and improvements
- To help keep courts secure, managed, and for genuine authorised usage
Will this prevent children or young people from playing tennis?
No. This provides young people with a guaranteed court time within a secure environment.
- Parent or guardian makes the court booking.
- The court booking confirmation (including the PIN) are sent in an email & displayed on the screen.
- Parents/Guardians can screenshot and share the booking details with their children.
Do all players need a pass?
No. Only one person per bookings needs a valid Play Tennis Pas or to pay the Play & Play fee. Please still add other court user’s names to your booking.
Do I still need to book a court if I have an annual pass?
Yes. All tennis play must be booked through the online system.
Is there a daily booking limit?
Yes. Courts can be booked for up to 2 hours per person, in one slot per venue, to allow fair access.
Can I coach or run an organised session or non-tennis activity with a Play Tennis Pass or through Play & Play?
No. Coaching, filming, organised sessions or non-tennis activities require the appropriate Coaching Package or General Hire Pass.
Can non-Elmbridge residents purchase a Play Tennis Pass?
Yes. The standard Play Tennis Pass is open to everyone.
What happens if someone is still using the court when I arrive for my booking?
If you have a valid booking, the court is reserved for you during your booked time.
- Politely let other players know the court has been booked.
- Show your booking confirmation email or a screenshot of your booking if needed.
Most players are happy to move once they are aware a court has been reserved. However, if any issues arise you can always contact us via email: parkstennis@elmbridge.gov.uk
How are the courts maintained and why can conditions vary during wet weather and the year?
Elmbridge Park Tennis courts are outdoor facilities, so playability can sometimes be affected by weather conditions.
- After heavy rain or prolonged damp periods, courts may take longer to dry.
- Wetter seasons can increase moss growth and can affect the timing and effectiveness of moss treatments.
- While regular inspections and maintenance by the Green Spaces contractors are carried out, day-to-day conditions may vary depending on the weather and time of year.
We work closely with the Green Spaces Team and contractors to:
- Carry out routine inspections.
- Clear any litter and leaves where required.
- Maintain playable courts throughout the year.
- Manage moss treatments and surface cleaning.
Maintenance helps keeps safe, playable, and sustainable long-term. As outdoor park facilities, playing conditions naturally vary throughout the year due to weather and environmental factors, and this is a normal part of outdoor tennis.
Unfortunatly, we unable to resurface West End due to a number factors, please click here for further information.
Still have a Question?
This page will be updated accordingly with any further information.
If you have any further questions which have not been covered, please contact Parks Tennis: parkstennis@elmbridge.gov.uk so we can update this page accordingly.