Barack Obama Presidential Center to Feature Full Basketball Court

As the long-awaited Barack Obama Presidential Center prepares for its public opening in June 2026, new details about one of its most discussed features have been confirmed. The center will include a full-sized basketball court meant for community use and youth involvement.

Former President Barack Obama shared this plan at the NBA All-Star Game. He confirmed that the center is more than just a museum and archive.

It will feature a full basketball court as part of its amenities. Obama stated, “One thing that it will have is a full-court basketball court. We intend to have all kinds of activities, because sports is an entryway for kids to participate, to build community, to create some joy.”

A Space for Fun, Community and Health

The basketball court will be located in a 60,000-square-foot athletic and events facility called Home Court. This facility will sit on the southwest corner of the Obama Presidential Center campus in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side.

Home Court is designed as a versatile space. It will be used not only for sports but also for community events, conferences, and large events.

According to the Obama Foundation, Home Court includes:

• An NBA-regulation basketball court with intersecting practice courts.
• Flexible seating to support sports programs, community gatherings, and formal events.
• Fitness and training spaces along with multipurpose rooms for community use.

Renderings released by the foundation show a bright gym with a wooden court floor. There is also the Obama Foundation logo at center court, surrounded by glass walls that overlook the campus.

Design, Purpose and Community Impact

The Home Court has a modern and sleek design with its metal exterior and large glass panels. Its inspiration comes from personal and community values. The foundation states that the space reflects Obama’s lifelong love for basketball and a commitment to building community.

Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, explained that the facility aims to be “a place where people could come for fun, inspiration, and learning. The kind of community spaces we need in an inclusive democracy.”

Jarrett added that the court and related programs are part of a wider range of opportunities that connect local residents to health, wellness, and leadership resources.

Sustainability and Local Collaboration

Home Court also aligns with the Foundation’s sustainability goals. It will be heated and cooled mainly through geothermal energy. This is part of a campus-wide effort to reduce fossil fuel use.

Beyond design and energy, the project has welcomed input from various community partners. They include the YMCA, local youth sports organizations, and after-school programs, to shape future activities and ensure the facility meets local needs.

A Broader Vision Takes Shape

The inclusion of a full basketball court highlights a shift in how we think about presidential libraries. The Obama Presidential Center has been designed from the beginning as a community-focused space instead of a static archive.

The campus will also include a museum, a public library branch, gardens, and educational spaces, all integrated into nearly 20 acres of parkland.

As construction moves into its final phases, with Home Court now structurally complete and interior work in progress, local leaders and residents are closely observing.

Although some discussions about design and costs have occurred since the project began, the addition of a full basketball court emphasizes the center’s mission to blend heritage, civic life, and everyday community engagement.

With the opening day approaching, one thing is clear: the basketball court at the Obama Presidential Center is more than just a physical space. It signifies fun and community connection. It also signifies the promise of a place where people can come together, learn, and grow.