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Home Court

Inspired by President Obama’s belief in the power of sports, mentorship, and connection, Home Court is a 60,000 square foot multipurpose space featuring a gymnasium and multiple programming rooms. It’s a space that allows people to gather through our programs and events to play, learn, and build community.
An exterior shot of Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center on a snowy night. Behind Home Court is the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Credit: Angie McMonigal

What to do at Home Court 

  • Main Court

    Channel your love of sports on our NBA-regulation sized basketball court! Main Court features several practice courts and accessible seating.

  • Flexible programming spaces

    Need space for your guests to collaborate or brainstorm?  Explore one of our flexible programming rooms, designed for community programming, wellness workshops, and special events.

Our Home Court values

  • Teamwork

    Home Court is committed to being a good steward of our global community and our local neighbors in Chicago. Home Court's programming enhances existing campus initiatives, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in a spirit of community.

  • Resilience

    The Obama Foundation values the ability to "navigate challenge and change." Home Court is where we put this value into action. Through partnerships with local and national organizations, we will host events and programs focused on building self-confidence and practical skills. 

    From art classes to athletic initiatives, Home Court offers activities that help people of all ages develop essential problem-solving abilities.

  • Leadership

    Sports leadership is about more than making shots. Programming at Home Court explores a breadth of opportunities to open young people’s eyes beyond the playing field. 

    We provide young people with career development training and mentorship, equipping them with real-world insight and direct connections to industry professionals.

A rendering of decorative white tables and chairs on the exterior of the Obama Presidential Center.

Host a Wedding or Special Event

The Obama Presidential Center was thoughtfully designed to serve the community with programming and event space rentals, for personal, local, national and even global needs.

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The Making of Home Court

The Obama Foundation Home Court’s design is inspired by two of President Obama’s personal passions – basketball and building community – with a sleek metal and fritted glass panel exterior inspired by the pattern and form of a basketball net as a metaphor for community connection. 

This building is also designed in line with the Foundation’s sustainability goals and is heated and cooled primarily through the use of geothermal energy.

Home Court was built by Elevate Design Builders, a joint firm led by Bowa Construction, an African American-owned construction management firm headquartered in Chicago on South Stony Island, and AECOM/Hunt.

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