The Obama Presidential Center is adding something deeply personal — and culturally significant — to its Chicago campus: a full-court basketball facility.
According to a recent report from CBS Chicago, the center, currently under construction in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, will include a regulation-size basketball court as part of its broader community programming. The Center is scheduled to open in June 2026.
More Than a Game: Community, Culture, and Access
In a recent conversation with NBA legend Reggie Miller, Obama confirmed that the facility will feature a “full-court basketball court,” emphasizing that sports can serve as a gateway to community engagement. As CBS Chicago noted in its coverage, Obama described sports as a way to bring young people together and create joy through participation.
“Sports can be an entryway for kids to participate, to build community, to create some joy.”
The basketball facility — referred to as Home Court — is expected to be part of a larger campus that blends cultural, educational, and community features. Additional CBS reporting on the project’s timeline confirms the planned. June 2026 opening window.
A Personal Legacy Rooted in Basketball
Obama’s connection to basketball is well documented — and the court is a reminder that for many Black Americans, basketball has been more than entertainment. It has often served as a pathway to discipline, mentorship, scholarships, and community connection.
Why This Matters for Chicago’s South Side
The Presidential Center has been years in the making since it was first announced in 2016, and it remains one of the most high-profile cultural investments in Chicago’s South Side in decades. The real test will be implementation: access, partnerships, and how effectively programming reaches local youth and families.
