FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — For basketball players like Anthony Haygood, there’s nowhere else he’d rather be on a weekend afternoon than the basketball courts along Fort Lauderdale Beach.
“This is my peace every weekend, I’m here pretty much on Saturdays and Sundays just shooting around, getting some rays in. I love it,” Haygood said.
The iconic courts have stood along the beach for years, becoming a staple for the local basketball community. For those who grew up in the area, like Riley Kozak, the courts carry a deeper meaning.
“The culture, the vibe, everything, you know, it’s secluded with the wall. People pull up, walk around and just enjoy the view. There’s nothing really like it in South Florida,” Kozak said.
But that atmosphere has been disrupted after the recent Tortuga Music Festival left damage behind on the courts.
“This is not the first time there’s been an impact by Tortuga and some of the existing facilities we have on the beach,” Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said.
Chunks of the court are missing, leaving some players frustrated. City officials say the festival will cover the cost of repairs, and there are also longer-term plans in place.
“They take full responsibility and they will restore it. Ultimately we are going to have the Bahia Mar folks completely rebuild the basketball courts,” Trantalis said.
Still, some players are questioning how soon those repairs will happen. The city responded to a viral Instagram video showing the damage, suggesting fixes may not be completed until this summer.
“Someone should use some of that Tortuga money, some of that concert money they got, all those tips, all those drinks sold. They should come back and repave the courts they messed up,” Kozak said.
In the meantime, players like Haygood and Kozak say they’ll keep coming back.
“It’s peace. It’s tranquil. This is my therapy,” Haygood said.
There has also been discussion about replacing the courts with pickleball facilities, but a group of local players voiced strong opposition.
City officials have since backed off those plans, saying basketball on the beach is here to stay.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
