Skechers has been named the official footwear sponsor of the 2023 English Open and English Nationals pickleball tournaments by Pickleball England. Last year, Skechers signed its first two elite pickleball athletes in the US and Canada, Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau. Shortly thereafter, the brand introduced the Skechers Viper Court shoes at the US Open Pickleball Championships in Florida. Since then, Skechers has sponsored every major tour and organization in North America, including USA Pickleball, Major League Pickleball, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour, the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and the Pickleball Canada National Championship.
“With the launch of Skechers Viper Court in 2022, Skechers has quickly become the leading pickleball footwear brand in the U.S., and we want to replicate that success in the U.K.,” said Richard Parker, Managing Director of Skechers in the U.K. and Ireland. “Now that the sport is growing rapidly in this country, it’s time for players here to experience the benefits of Skechers pickleball shoes, which are specifically designed for comfort and performance on the court. Partnering with Pickleball England illustrates our commitment to the sport and is just one of several steps we plan to take to continue supporting the fans who love the game.“ Karen Mitchell, Chair and Co-Founder of Pickleball England, said: “Skechers currently sponsors the major elite professional pickleball tours in the United States and Canada, so it’s fantastic to have their support for our biggest events here.”
Pickleball England’s English Open will take place Aug. 3-6 at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire, while the English Nationals will be held Oct. 26-29 at Bolton Arena in Greater Manchester. A record turnout is expected for both events this year, with the English Open already surpassing last year’s registration numbers by 90 percent.
