CHICAGO⯗ Following the success of the City’s summer sports series during 2025, today, MayorBrandonJohnsonjoined City officials, Project sWish, the Chicago Park District, and private partners to launch Late Night Basketball 2026 at Washington Park. “Late Night Ball” provides safe spaces and free community-building opportunities for youth and adults during holiday weekends throughout the summer.
“Every young person deserves meaningful opportunities to connect and grow in a positive environment,” said MayorBrandonJohnson. “Programs like Late Night Ball create spaces where young people can build relationships, develop confidence, and spend their time in ways that strengthen both their future and their community.
When we invest in opportunities and alternatives that bring people together, we help build safer, stronger neighborhoods across Chicago.”
This year, Late Night Basketball is kicking off with two events hosted at the Washington Park Fieldhouse, 5531 S.
King Dr., and the Homan Square Park Fieldhouse, 3559 W.
Arthington St. Coinciding with Juneteenth and Father’s Day weekend, the activations will welcome young people aged 13-18 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and residents 18 and older from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
In addition to organized, refereed basketball runs, each event will offer access to video games, free food, a live DJ, and police security.
“Summer is here and parks are in full swing, bursting with activities for all ages and abilities.
Late Night Basketball will debut this Saturday at Homan Square Park and Washington Park, serving as the inaugural event for the summer park programming series.
The seasonal rollout will continue next week with the official start of Summer Day Camp,”said General Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer for the Chicago Park District, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “These flagship programs anchor a comprehensive summer schedule focused on community park activation and equitable access to affordable programming and exceptional experiences in our parks.”
Late Night Basketball complements existing basketball programs, including Project sWish’s free weekly leagues and the Park District’s Windy City Hoops, a miniature tournament played across 12 Park District sites.
“Project sWish is committed to engaging young people and providing a safe and supportive outlet at no cost to participants,” saidMcKinley Nelson, Founder of Project sWish Chicago. “Six days a week, we provide free sWish Leagues thanks to Illinois Blue Cross Blue Shield and partnership with the Chicago Park District.
Late night basketball is no different, our goal is to provide a safe space to hoop, eat, listen to music, exercise and connect with others.
We pride ourselves on being a community and a movement.”
Nelson, a lifelong Chicagoan, founded Project sWish in 2018 after losing multiple of his close friends to gun violence.
Since its inception, Project sWish has brought together over 7,000 young people through free weekly basketball leagues, community events, life readiness initiatives, and health equity programs including yoga, meditation, and art therapy.
The summer sports series demonstrates the strength of public-private partnerships which the Johnsonadministration has fostered in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, Chicago Park District, City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and more.
Last summer, the Mayor’s Office hosted 13 Late Night Basketball events, drawing attendance from over 750 residents.
Participants shared in surveys that the activations gave them something safe and positive to do on a weekend night and reported feeling safer in their neighborhood due to the events.
“The Summer Sports Series is a powerful example of how we can come together to make a difference in the lives of our young people,” said DeputyMayorof Community Safety Emmanuel Andre. “By bringing together partners across city government, public health, education, parks, and the private sector, we are creating opportunities for residents to engage in safe, positive activities throughout the summer.
As the summer continues, we will continue to build on that success by expanding opportunities for connection, wellness, and community engagement.”
Residents can register to attend upcoming “Late Night Ball” events by visiting https:anc.apm.activecommunities.com/chicagoparkdistrict/activity/search?online SiteId0&date_after2026-06-17&activity_keywordLate%20Night%20Basketball&view Modelist&localeen-US