Walmart partnered with the racquet sports booking platform, Break the Love, offering for free 125,000 reservations for customers and employees to book pickleball playtime at venues nationwide.
Through the program, Walmart will provide pickleball racquets and balls to customers and employees and host 25 community events nationwide. Walmart+ members will earn first access to peak reservation times, co-branded merchandise and meet and greets with pro-pickleball players.
Walmart said the partnership would “break down existing barriers with the sport and make it more approachable” while supporting wellness initiatives.
“We are always looking for ways to create meaningful experiences that encourage our customers to interact with Walmart in new ways,” said Casey Schlaybaugh, VP of brand marketing and strategy for Walmart U.S. “Walmart is dedicated to supporting its customers and their communities, helping them find and access everyday opportunities to create moments of joy and connection in their lives.”
Pickleball has been around since the mid-1960s but has ranked as the fastest-growing sport for the last three years, according to SFIA, with participation increasing “85.7 percent in 2022 to 8.9 million participants in the U.S.”
More than 30 venues, most with multiple courts, are available to book in 10 states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
