Great place-making that maximizes underutilized urban space to bring people together through sport.

These are the best outdoor basketball courts in the city, celebrating an active lifestyle for all ages in an inner-city environment that is free and open to the public.

High Park

Located at 340 10 Ave SW.

Three half-courts sit on the 90,000-square-foot rooftop at High Park (level 6) of the City Centre Parkade. Enclosed by large concrete blocks with netting and include court-side bleachers, lights, additional turf areas, fireside lounge seating and graffiti murals.

The $200,000 project was completed in April 2023, marking the third phase of High Park’s development. The endeavour was a collaboration between the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association, Calgary Parking, and Public City. The project was funded through the Prairies Economic Development Canada.

The courts are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

The Bounce

Located at the intersection of 4th St & 8th Ave SE. 

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation opened the $40,000 temporary pop-up games park, The Bounce, in June 2019.

The site features a full-sized basketball court with glass backboards. It also includes hopscotch, four-square, and outdoor ping-pong. Murals by local artist MAUD (Kathryn Pearce and Tanner Hamilton) titled Found Home enhance the space.

You can hoop in a unique urban setting. Surrounded by the award-winning architecture of Studio Bell and the Central Public Library.

Platform Innovation Centre Parkade

Located at 407 9th Ave SE.

Opening in 2021, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, on behalf of Calgary Parking Authority and Platform Calgary, led the delivery of the Platform Innovation Centre & Parkade. In addition to parking, the Platform Parkade also offers outdoor event rental space and a publicly accessible half-court for hoops on the ground level.

The mixed-use building aligns with the future-focused goals of CMLC’s East Village Master Plan. The unique parking structure took two and a half years of complex construction. The building incorporates design considerations that will allow it to be converted into commercial and/or residential uses. 

The courts are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Gopher Park

Located at the corner of 11th St and 11th Ave SE.

In August 2019, the City and local businesses collaborated to transform a green space in Inglewood. They activated a space overrun with gophers into a three-on-three basketball court dubbed Gopher Park.

The court features a worn gopher mural painted on the asphalt, glass backboard, chess-top tables and seating areas. It is located across the street from one of the businesses that worked on the project, Cold Garden Brewery. This allows easy access for a post-game bevy to celebrate the king of the court.

Bridgeland Sport Court

Located in Murdoch Park at 9 St NE & Centre Ave NE.

The Bridgeland Sport Court officially opened to the public in September 2022. The space has three basketball half-courts facing outwards in a circle. This allows multiple groups to play simultaneously. Designed for the fast-growing popularity of 3×3 basketball, making its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The court cost approximately $200,000 to build. Funding and support were provided by Bridgeland businesses and community members, alongside the City of Calgary, Calgary Foundation, Parks Foundation Calgary, the Calgary Flames Foundation, and the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association.

Century Gardens Sport Court

Located at 826 8 St SW.

The new courts, opening in August 2023, mirror the successful design implemented in Bridgeland the year before.

They cost approximately $300,000, paid for by the City of Calgary, the Surge, and constructed by Parks Foundation. The project is part of the City’s Downtown Strategy and 8th Street SW Revitalization project. 

The court, situated next to a C-train station, enhances Century Gardens. An open space with water features, benches and a public washroom. It is a welcome addition to this part of downtown. Maximizing the potential of underutilized space to present recreational opportunities and gathering places.

Pixel Park

Located next to Enoch Park at 12 Ave and Macleod Trail

Pixel Park features half-court basketball, an off-leash dog park, and pickleball courts. There is also a skate park and the downtown’s largest electric vehicle charging site. The park offers spaces that facilitate programming and placemaking initiatives led by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation.

Hoop in an inner city environment surrounded by modern towers and warehouses that established Calgary’s wholesale district. Across the street is a prominent example of this period. The 1912 structure was occupied by Massey Harris until 1979. It features a brick facade design with elements of both warehousing and retail.

HOOP DREAMS

Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Canada.

The Calgary Surge, a CEBL professional basketball team, completed its inaugural season in 2023. The Toronto Raptors won an NBA title in 2019. Canadian-born players Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins played significant roles on NBA championship teams in consecutive seasons.

Team Canada’s hopes to make a run in Paris 2024 were met with a disappointing loss to the host team from France. Momentum was building after qualifying for the Olympics for the first time in 23 years. This followed the team earning a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup, defeating the USA. The roster featured Canadian NBA stars: 2024 NBA MVP Runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks and newly acquired Raptor RJ Barrett.

This success on the biggest stage provides exposure to the sport and inspiration for young Canadians. The development of these outdoor courts facilitates active communities and spaces. These efforts will continue to grow the game of basketball in a country better known for hockey dominance.

UPDATE May 21, 2025 – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the recipient of the Michael Jordan Trophy as the 2024-25 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. He becomes the second player from Canada to earn the honour, along with two-time winner Steve Nash (2004/05 and 2005/06). Read more.