By CostcoFan | Updated July 2026
Penn Championship Extra Duty Tennis Balls, 20-Pack (60 balls) | Item #672381 | $45.99 in-store ($54.99 online)
I’ve been buying Costco tennis balls once a year since 2020, and I’ll tell you upfront: I don’t actually play tennis. Not once. But this 20-pack of Penn Championship balls might be one of the most-used things I bring home from Costco — for baseball, for playing catch with my kid, for basically everything except the sport they’re made for. So this is an honest look at what you get, what they cost, how the price has changed over the years, and who these are actually great for (hint: it’s a bigger group than just tennis players).
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What You Get for $45.99
The Costco pack (item #672381) is 20 cans of 3 balls each — 60 tennis balls total — for $45.99 in-store ($54.99 online, where shipping’s included). That works out to under a dollar a ball, which is the whole reason to buy them this way. A single can of 3 Penn Championship balls runs around $4–5 at a sporting goods store, so buying 60 individually would cost you roughly $80–100. The Costco case is a genuine bulk deal.
These are the Extra Duty version (black lettering on the can), which means they’re built for hard courts — the tougher felt holds up better on abrasive surfaces. That’s the right choice for most people, since the vast majority of courts (and driveways, and backyards) are hard surfaces. The regular-duty felt (red lettering) is meant for clay, which most people never touch. Penn Championship is the official ball of USTA League Tennis and the best-selling tennis ball in the country, so this is the standard, not some off-brand.
Costco Tennis Ball Price History (2020–2026)
Here’s something I can offer that a lot of sites can’t: I’ve actually tracked this price over the years.
When I first wrote about these back in September 2020, they were $39.99. Today they’re $45.99 in-store ($54.99 online). So they’ve climbed about six bucks over roughly six years — not nothing, but honestly milder than a lot of Costco price creep, and it’s still under a dollar a ball. The item number hasn’t even changed — it’s been #672381 the whole time.
One more thing worth knowing: they go on sale periodically. I’ve seen the case marked down (historically as low as around $30), usually — of course — right when I’ve already bought a case at full price. So if you’re not in a rush, it’s worth keeping an eye out for a markdown. But at under a dollar a ball even at full price, I’ve never felt bad paying it.
Are Costco Penn Tennis Balls Any Good? (The Honest Answer)
This is where I have to be straight with you, because it depends entirely on who you are.
If you’re a serious, competitive tennis player: you should know that these balls get mixed reviews from that crowd. Players report that quality dipped after COVID, that they sometimes find a flat or dead ball in a can even when it’s still pressurized, and that they don’t hold their bounce as long as premium balls like Wilson US Open. Plenty of 4.0-and-up players have moved to pricier balls for match play. If you’re playing competitive USTA matches and you can feel the difference between a fresh premium ball and a mid-tier one, that’s a real consideration — and honestly, buyers at that level often keep these as practice balls and save the premium ones for matches.
But here’s my honest experience: I’ve bought a case a year since 2020, and I have never once had a dead-ball problem. Not one. Now — big caveat — I’m not scrutinizing bounce the way a competitive player would, because I’m not using them for tennis. Which brings me to the part that actually matters for most people buying these…
What I Actually Use Them For (Everything Except Tennis)
Here’s the thing almost no tennis-focused review will tell you: a huge share of the people buying 60 tennis balls aren’t playing tennis. I’m one of them. Here’s how these earn their keep in my house:
- Baseball drills and catch with my kid. This is the big one. When my son was first learning to catch a baseball, he was scared of getting hit — totally normal for a little kid. A tennis ball fixed that overnight. It doesn’t hurt, so he wasn’t afraid to get his glove up, and it built his confidence until he was ready for a real ball. If you’ve got a nervous young player, this is genuinely one of the best coaching tools I’ve found, and it costs under a dollar.
- Hitting practice — and the sound. When he connects and sends a tennis ball flying off the bat, it makes this awesome, satisfying pop, and the ball sails. For a kid, that instant feedback is hugely encouraging — it makes him want to keep swinging. You don’t get that from a foam ball.
- Indoor throwing without breaking anything. Bouncing them off the wall, playing catch inside — tennis balls don’t damage the house (usually), so it’s low-stakes indoor fun.
- The “who cares if we lose it” factor. At under a buck a ball, it genuinely doesn’t matter if one rolls under the deck, gets destroyed, or — as has happened more than once at the park — gets claimed by a dog. Honestly, I’ve handed a few over to dogs at the park myself. Or they took them. Either way, no big loss.
For all of that, the complaints tennis players have about these balls are completely irrelevant. A ball a competitive player would call “a little flat” is exactly right for a 7-year-old learning to catch. That’s the reframe: for casual play, kids, coaching, ball machines, and dogs, these are a fantastic value — and that’s a much bigger audience than the tennis-snob crowd griping on the forums.
Who Should Buy These
Great for:
- Parents and coaches (baseball, catch, backyard games, teaching kids)
- Casual and recreational tennis players who don’t need premium bounce
- Anyone with a ball machine or hopper (you need volume, and cheap-per-ball wins)
- Dog owners (durable enough for fetch, cheap enough to replace)
- Practice/drill balls even for serious players (save the pricey ones for matches)
Maybe look elsewhere if:
- You’re a competitive player who wants premium bounce and longevity for match play (consider Wilson US Open or Pro Penn, and note USTA members often get a Wilson discount)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are tennis balls at Costco?
The Penn Championship 20-pack (60 balls, item #672381) is $45.99 in-store and $54.99 online. That’s under a dollar a ball. They were $39.99 back in 2020 and go on sale periodically.
How many tennis balls come in the Costco pack?
20 cans of 3 balls each — 60 tennis balls total.
Are Costco tennis balls extra duty or regular duty?
Extra Duty (for hard courts) — the black-lettering version. That’s the right choice for most players.
Are Costco Penn tennis balls good quality?
For casual play, kids, coaching, ball machines, and dogs, they’re a great value. Competitive players report the quality is mid-tier and sometimes inconsistent, so serious match players often prefer premium balls and use these for practice.
Do Costco tennis balls go on sale?
Yes — the case gets marked down periodically (historically to around $30). Worth watching for if you’re not in a hurry.
Can you use tennis balls for things other than tennis?
Absolutely — they’re excellent for baseball/catch practice (especially for kids afraid of a hardball), ball machines, dog fetch, and indoor games. That’s most of what I use them for.
Where to Buy
Best value is the case at Costco (item #672381) — in-store ($45.99) beats online ($54.99). If your warehouse is out (they sometimes only stock these seasonally), they’re available on Amazon too:
- WILSON Championship Tennis Balls on Amazon -> Tennis balls for all hard surfaces, one size, USTA- and ITF-certified – Optimum durability and performance, ideal for all courts – Durable, hard core, made of Dura-Weave felt for longer durability – With resealable can for tidier storing and longer durability.
- Penn Championship Tennis Balls – Extra Duty Felt Pressurized on Amazon -> Penn Championship tennis balls represent the standard by which all other tennis balls are measured with consistent feel and playability every time you step onto the court.
- Wilson Profile All Court Tennis Balls – Single Can, 4 Cans (12 Balls), 24 Cans (72 Balls) on Amazon -> Engineered for prime performance on all court surfaces, the Wilson Profile tennis ball features exclusive Dura-Weave felt for optimal fluffing characteristics.
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Does anyone see this in Costco near LA downtown recently?
I can’t find it any at Monterey park and Inglewood.
They were hit or miss at my stores in Northern California for a while. I’ve been at Costco a LOT the last month & I haven’t seen them. I think this is the cycle where they’re off the shelves for a bit. They’re probably making room for all the holiday items. I’ll keep my eyes out though. Hopefully you find them soon.
I was also looking for them in so-cal/Hawthorne Costco where we play tennis year around and there were no tennis balls in the sports section.
Seems to be seasonal. I have seen them at my Costco recently but I can be 100% certain where. They tend to go in and out of stock frequently so keep looking.
Does anyone see this in Costco near LA downtown recently?
I can’t find it any at Monterey park and Inglewood.
They were hit or miss at my stores in Northern California for a while. I’ve been at Costco a LOT the last month & I haven’t seen them. I think this is the cycle where they’re off the shelves for a bit. They’re probably making room for all the holiday items. I’ll keep my eyes out though. Hopefully you find them soon.
I bought a case of balls last year that I’m just finishing now. they are awful. None bounce high enough. They bounce like they’ve been used for five sets. Very disappointed.
Sorry to hear. I was just at Costco today & they have the “Penn Extra Duty 20 Pack” with Novak Djokovic on the front cover. They must be getting them back in stock. I wonder if these will be any different from the ones you were using.
Haven’t seen them in San Diego stores for a few months now.
Sorry to hear. I swear I keep seeing them at my local Costco’s. I’ll double check next time I go because they’ve been on our shelves for months.
Costco doesn’t seem to have the 20 can case. They told me they are seasonal
I keep getting comments about these not being sold in store or that they are seasonal, however I keep seeing them at my local Costco’s. I am in the Bay Area, CA. They are currently not selling them on Costco’s website (1/1/2021), but I see them all the time in store. If, they are seasonal, maybe I just keep catching them at the right time. Either way, it’s a bummer you can’t find them. Good luck
We are in the Bay Area too. The three Costco’s in San Mateo county don’t have them and don’t know when they will them. I have to go to Los Gatos in two weeks and could go to a Costco between Foster City and Los Gatos.
I can’t say I noticed them my last few trips to Costco. I’ll keep an eye out. I just know I saw them consistently for months at all the different Costco’s. They moved locations a lot in store, so be aware. I’ll keep you posted if I spot them anywhere in the Bay Area.
I’m trying to buy these now. I looked them up last week and they were $44 for 60 balls (20 cans).
It’s not currently on their site…… I’m ready to buy at this great price.
Bummer! I just saw them in store yesterday. They are right next to the golf balls, footballs & basketballs. Don’t forget to look on the sides of the store……the less traveled areas. I have found them there on multiple occasions. Good luck! Hope you find them!
Called Costco corporate because I couldn’t find it locally anywhere in Florida and they told me the only places in the country that have them are stores in the Carolinas but they don’t ship.
Well that can’t be true. I was in Costco today (12/3/2020) & they had them in stock. The Penn Extra Duty Tennis Balls with Item Number 672381. This was in the Bay Area, CA. Sorry you can’t find them anywhere, but I have seen them at my 3 local Costco’s. I know that doesn’t help you in Florida, but they are in stock at other Costco’s. Maybe they are under a different item number or they only carry the Kirkland Signature one’s. Either way, I hope you end up finding them!
Sure, because it’s not like we’d be playing tennis in Florida now, right?
[I called the local Costco in Boca Raton & was told there was a truck expected “next week,” so maybe…]
And on the hope that “next week” might be as early as Monday, I called back this morning, and…was told that they were delivered on Friday, December 17th, and were already gone. So, basically, the “next week” that Costco told me was THE NEXT DAY!
Sorry Bruce! That is a bummer. They must have sold out quickly. It’s such a good deal on tennis balls that these are popular at almost every Costco. Good luck and I hope you get your hands on the next shipment
Thanks, and, yes, they’re definitely a bargain!
Ya. I looked yesterday & could not find them at my local Costco. I’ll see them for a couple months and then they’re gone. I’m sure I’ll see them back on the shelves in a few weeks when they start getting ready for spring stuff
Fingers crossed. Hope you end up finding them. These are definitely seasonal, because I don’t see them all the time at my Costco. When you see them, you need to buy them, whether you are stocked or not because you may not see them for another few months. Good luck & I hope you find them
What happened to the tennis balls 672381. ?
I’ve seen them at most Costco’s. They don’t seem to carry them online, but they carry them in most stores. If you’re having trouble finding it you can always try the Amazon links above. That is the correct Item Number: 672381. Good luck