By Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, is diving into the realm of pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. In an effort to make the sport more accessible, the retail giant has teamed up with Break the Love, a racket-sports booking platform, to provide 125,000 complimentary reservations for Walmart customers and employees.
Democratizing Pickleball
The collaboration aims to break down barriers to entry for pickleball, a sport often associated with country clubs and recreation centers, making it more inclusive for all. By offering free court reservations, Walmart hopes to democratize the sport and encourage broader participation.
“We are always looking for ways to create meaningful experiences that encourage our customers to interact with Walmart in new ways,” said Casey Schlaybaugh, Walmart’s vice president for brand marketing and strategy.
Accessible Venues Across the US
Currently, the sign-up site features over 30 venues across ten states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Most venues offer multiple courts, providing ample opportunities for players to book playtime.
How to Reserve a Court
To reserve a pickleball court through the partnership, Walmart customers and employees can visit www.breakthelove.com/x/walmart. They can then select a court and time slot in their area. Customers can avoid paying fees by providing a screenshot of a recent Walmart store receipt or their Walmart+ membership hub page during checkout. Walmart employees can access complimentary reservations by using a designated code on the booking platform.
Exclusive Benefits for Walmart+ Members
Members of Walmart+, Walmart’s subscription service akin to Amazon Prime, will enjoy additional perks. They will have priority access to peak reservation times, receive co-branded merchandise, and have opportunities for meet-and-greets with professional pickleball players.
“Comped court reservations can be redeemed more than once throughout the duration of the program, and to ensure everyone has a chance to hit the courts, a new set of reservations will become available on the platform each month,” explained Walmart spokeswoman Lea Ciskowski.
By offering free pickleball court reservations, Walmart aims to engage its customers in new and exciting ways while promoting an active lifestyle and community interaction.
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