You play on your schedule — there's no fixed weekly time slot. Each week of the season, you and your opponent coordinate directly to find a time that works for both of you. Most matches happen on weekday evenings or weekend mornings, but any mutually agreed time works.

As for location, you'll pick a home court when you register — usually a public court near your home or work — and play half your matches there. The other half are played away, within about a 20-minute drive. On day one of the season, your full schedule with opponent contact info is waiting in your player profile. From there, you reach out, agree on a time, and play.

Gladiator uses a skill system based on NTRP and UTR ratings, ranging from 2.5 (beginner) to 5.0 (expert). Not sure where you fall? Check out our Skill Levels page for a full breakdown. If you're still unsure, just select "Not Sure" when creating your profile and your local league coordinator will reach out to help you through it. Sometimes we can even set up a free ratings match to get you placed correctly before the season starts.

Leagues start at under $50. That covers your full match schedule, player stats and standings, and access to claim bonus matches through The Gauntlet. Beyond that, the main extra costs depend on your region:

• Chicago & St. Louis: Outdoor matches on public courts are free. Indoor matches during winter seasons have court fees, split 50/50 with your opponent.
• Florida markets: Many outdoor public courts charge a booking fee. When that's the case, the home player covers the cost for both players. Indoor court fees are split 50/50.

Every home player also brings a new can of balls — Wilson US Open balls are the league standard.

You have more flexibility than you might think. You can play matches ahead of schedule, out of order, or at any mutually agreed time — as long as all scores are reported by the season's final deadline. If you need to miss a match or two, you can also recruit a substitute player to fill in for you. The format is genuinely built for people with real lives.

We have helped thousands of tennis enthusiasts play their first league. You'll be matched with players at your verified skill level, close to where you live. Most Gladiators are working adults who love tennis, want real competition, and don't want the overhead of a club team. If you can rally and you want to improve, you'll fit right in.

We aim to keep singles matches within a 20-minute drive of your home court. You'll select a home court when you register — usually a public court near your home or work — and play half your matches there. The other half are played away, within that same 20-minute radius. You won't be driving across town to play tennis.