How DoorDash partnered with Major League Pickleball to elevate the pro game
Last Edited
Aug 22 2025
Category
News
The announcement back in the spring came as a surprise to many: DoorDash, a dominant player in the U.S. food and convenience delivery market, was coming on as the title sponsor of Major League Pickleball.
The company, which was founded in 2013 and now operates in more than 30 countries, kicked off its big splash in the sport by partnering with Dude Perfect and MLP stars Anna Bright and Tyson McGuffin on a promotion offering customers a free jar of pickles with their order.
In the months since, DoorDash has been involved in several creative events designed to be fun, culturally relevant and highly engaging for pickleball fans.
Recently they teamed up with MLP and City Pickle in New York City to build a pickleball court in Grand Central Station in honor of National Pickleball Day and to promote this weekend's MLP Finals in Central Park. The event featured several pros and celebrity guest Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson (an enthusiastic new pickleball fan), introducing the sport to his audience and bringing fresh eyes to the game.
"As with any sports partnership, our goal is always to find creative ways to engage fans while elevating the league and sport itself," said Ariel Gambardella, Head of Brand Partnerships for DoorDash. "Pickleball presents a particularly unique opportunity because both the game and its professional league are still so new compared to other established sports. This gives us a chance to show up in fresh, unexpected and innovative ways."
DoorDash has always been deeply involved in sports, so exploring the pickleball space was a no brainer, Gambardella said, especially considering its historic growth over the past several years and its ability to attract players of all ages and skill levels. DoorDash saw an opportunity to connect with the pickleball community at both the grassroots and professional level through its partnership with the league, she said.
"MLP provides a platform to highlight pickleball’s top talent, exciting team format and fan engagement, which aligns well with DoorDash’s focus on supporting vibrant communities," Gambardella said.
DoorDash teams up with top women's player Anna Leigh Waters
One piece of DoorDash's push in the sport this summer was an ad featuring Anna Leigh Waters, the No. 1 women's pickleball player in the world. In the spot, which you can watch here, Waters helped Billy (a fictional character in the ad) chase his pro dreams -- with a little assistance from DoorDash along the way.
"ALW is one of pickleball’s brightest stars and a true embodiment of the sport’s energy and potential," Gambardella said. "Partnering with her was a natural choice -- she connects with both longtime pickleball enthusiasts and new fans discovering the game. Pickleball is a sport where casual players often dream of going pro, and that’s exactly the story we wanted to tell."
DoorDash makes connection with pickleball community
Gambardella said the team at DoorDash has been impressed by the welcoming, multigenerational and passionate pickleball community in their interactions with fans and players.
"Not all athletic spaces are as social and accessible as pickleball is, and we love that this energy creates an environment where beginners and pros alike share the same courts and experiences," she said. "The community’s openness, diversity, and enthusiasm have reinforced DoorDash’s belief that this is more than just a sport -- it’s a cultural movement that brings people together in a way that mirrors how DoorDash connects people to food, merchants and experiences."
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