As the Knicks carry New York City's hopes into the NBA Finals and the city prepares to welcome the world for the World Cup, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura today announced that sports lighting will remain on for an additional hour at 50 locations citywide this summer, extending permitted use until 11 p.m.
Beginning June 11, 2026, through Labor Day weekend, New Yorkers will be able to apply for extended permits at select fields and courts in every borough.
The expanded hours will create more than 4,000 additional hours of evening recreation, giving New Yorkers more opportunities to stay active, connect with their communities and enjoy neighborhood parks. With many residents only able to access athletic fields after work or during cooler evening temperatures, the program will help meet growing demand for recreational space while supporting youth sports, adult leagues and community programming.
"My hope is that twenty years from now we have world-class strikers and power forwards whose journeys began right here in New York City when they found their neighborhood pitches and courts lit up late at night," said Mayor Mamdani. "These 4,000 additional hours of play time will unlock opportunities for neighbors to enjoy the cool night air, for young New Yorkers to imitate the skills they just watched on TV, to both live in our city and play in our city. Our parks are our backyards, and local sports fields are our stadiums."
"By adding 4,000 hours of free and low-cost recreation, NYC Parks prove it is one of the City's most important affordability agencies," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "Extended lighting means more people can spend more time outdoors, building community and enjoying their local parks. And for those perfecting their jump shot, it means a little more time under the lights."
"After the school year ends, summer should be a time when young people - and all New Yorkers - have safe, fun places to gather with friends and family," said Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Renita Francois. "Too often, we tell kids what not to do with their free time without creating enough opportunities for what they can do. By expanding access to well-lit athletic fields and courts across the five boroughs, the Mamdani administration is investing in places where young New Yorkers can stay active, and most importantly, have fun."
"New Yorkers are feeling the excitement of an historic sports summer - from the Knicks' run to the NBA Finals, to the anticipation of this year's World Cup. At NYC Parks, we're making sure that excitement translates into more opportunities for people to get outside, stay active and play the sports they love," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "By extending lighting hours at select fields and courts across the city this summer, we're creating more access for young athletes, adult leagues and neighborhood groups who rely on our parks after work or school and during the cooler evening hours. These additional hours mean more than just time on the field - they mean stronger communities, healthier New Yorkers and more opportunities for people to enjoy their local parks. We're grateful to Council Member Hankerson for his advocacy to ensure our parks and recreational spaces are the best they can be."
"New York is at the top of the sports world right now. The Knicks have the whole city locked in, FIFA is coming here and you can feel that excitement in every borough," said Council Member Ty Hankerson, Chair of the Committee on Parks and Recreation. "Our parks are the outlet for that excitement, giving New Yorkers a safe place to carry it from the screen and the stadium into their own neighborhoods. Studies show that safe, active nighttime park programming can help people feel safer and reduce crime, so extending sports lighting is a smart public safety investment. I thank Commissioner Shimamura for listening to our call and giving communities more time and more access. Parks are for everyone, and this summer, New Yorkers will have even more time to enjoy them safely."
A full list of participating fields is available through NYC Parks permitting offices in each borough.
At nonparticipating locations, standard field permitting hours remain 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. New Yorkers can apply for field permits through the NYC Parks website. Use the Field and Court Permit Availability Map to view current permit availability and seasonal schedules.
