Movie Theater Chains Hoping Pickleball Helps Ticket Sales

Adam Forziati

Team The Kitchen

Last Edited

Sep 19 2024

Category

News

A struggling industry is looking to pickleball for resuscitation.

Over the next three years, the top eight movie theater chains in the U.S. and Canada are investing more than $2.2 billion to revamp their cinemas, adding not just plush seating, top-notch sound systems, and high-tech projectors, but also pickleball courts.

Chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark are all focusing on transforming theaters into full-fledged entertainment hubs.

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As Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), put it: “I never thought I’d be talking about pickleball courts as much as I am.”

Theater chains like B&B Theatres are already rolling out this concept. A Dallas location boasts 12 movie screens, a bar, a live performance space, and, of course, two outdoor pickleball courts:

@dallaslovelist ✨🍿BRAND NEW MOVIE THEATER WITH AN ARCADE, BOWLING, PICKLE-BALL & OUTDOOR BAR // TAG A FRIEND WHO NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS SPOT 🎥✨ #DallasLoveList // Yes, you read that title right! There is a brand new movie theater with an arcade, rockwall, & high tech bowling alley inside and a pickle ball court and bar outside! It just opened 20 miles from Dallas in Red Oak, and it’s honestly one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen! 🔥 @B&B Theatres takes going to the movies to a whole new level! They literally have the LARGEST @ScreenX USA ♬ original sound - 🤍🥥S•phia🐚🍨

The courts can be rented independently of any movie ticket, allowing visitors to get their pickleball fix without ever sitting down for a flick.

Some theaters are also adding ziplines, bowling alleys, and full-service dining to make the entire experience a draw.

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