Irvine pickleball fans have a new set of courts for playing.
The city recently celebrated the opening of eight new courts at Mike Ward Community Park. The courts have lighting for evening play and there were four shade structures, picnic tables, benches and hydration stations added nearby.
Arnaud Ancenay of Irvine, puts on a dramatic face as he returns a serve during an inaugural match on the new pickleball courts at Mike Ward Community Park on
Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Eight lighted courts will offer daily drop-in play, reservations, and programs in Irvine. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A furry spectator has a front row seat to watch the action as pickleball players break in eight new courts at Mike Ward Community Park in Irvine on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Players finish their pickleball game on Irvine’s newest lighted and sound-dampening pickleball courts at Mike Ward Community Park in Irvine on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The area includes shade structures, picnic tables, benches and water bottle filling stations. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pickleball players try out the eight new courts at Mike Ward Community Park in Irvine after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Arnaud Ancenay of Irvine, puts on a dramatic face as he returns a serve during an inaugural match on the new pickleball courts at Mike Ward Community Park on
Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Eight lighted courts will offer daily drop-in play, reservations, and programs in Irvine. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Four of the courts will be first-come and players can drop in from dawn to 10 p.m. Two courts will be available for reservations, with timeslots from 8 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily — the rest of the time they’ll also be available for drop-in. There is an hour timeline for the drop-in use of courts.
The city is going to keep two courts set aside for parks and recreation programming.
“As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, these courts will serve an important role in meeting demand for more space to play,” said Mayor Larry Agran. “Expanding pickleball access within our community is one more way we continue to enhance the quality of life in Irvine.”
