• by Todd Wasserman , April 16, 2023

As Pickleball explodes in popularity, Subway is launching a Pickleball Club sandwich,  scheduled for an April 27 debut.

The chain is partnering with 2003 U.S. Open champ Andy Roddick to promote the new menu.

Roddick, John McEnroe, Michael Chang and Andre Agassi took part in the first Pickleball Slam at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida., on April 2.

Subway was a sponsor of that event.

Subway’s Pickleball Club includes honey mustard and thicker dill pickles, black forest ham, hickory smoked bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and red onions on artisan Italian bread.

Pickleball has been around for more than 50 years, but has become more popular in recent years. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, it was named the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.

The pandemic, which prompted people to look for alternatives to indoor activities, helped grow the sport’s popularity. In 2022, there were an estimated 4.8 million pickleball players in the U.S., a 14.8% increase over the previous year.