London Sports Festival moves from 3×3 basketball success to pickleball at the City of London Corporation’s Guildhall Yard

Following the huge success of Central London Alliance’s 3×3 basketball activation in Paternoster Square, London Sports Festival is taking its programme of sport, participation and community into its next chapter, with pickleball and jumbo volleyball coming to the City of London Corporation’s Guildhall Yard in the Culture Mile next week.

The new activation will once again transform a public space in the Square Mile into a vibrant destination for sport, wellbeing and social connection, giving workers, residents and visitors the opportunity to discover and play one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

The move to Guildhall Yard follows the remarkable response to London Sports Festival’s 3×3 basketball activation in Paternoster Square, which transformed the Square into a thriving sporting destination, welcoming over 3,500 participants through coaching, wheelchair basketball, corporate challenges, inclusive sessions, tournaments, fitness classes and open play. The court also welcomed men’s, women’s and wheelchair 3×3 players ahead of the Commonwealth Games, with the men’s and wheelchair women’s teams returning from Glasgow as Commonwealth Games gold medallists – a powerful demonstration of London Sports Festival’s ambition to connect elite sport with grassroots participation.

Nadia Perrier, Director of Central London Alliance, said:

The success of 3×3 basketball in Paternoster Square has shown us just how powerful sport can be in bringing people into our public spaces and creating a real sense of community. We now want to build on that momentum with pickleball and jumbo volleyball in Guildhall Yard.

Whether you’re a complete beginner, an experienced player, a family looking for something active to do or a business wanting to bring your team together, there will be an opportunity to Play Your Part. Most importantly, we want people to come along, have a go and discover a sport they might not otherwise have tried.

That is what London Sports Festival is all about – bringing sport into the heart of the city, making it accessible to everyone and using it to animate our public spaces, bring people together, support local businesses and showcase London as a vibrant, active and welcoming city.

London Sports Festival in Guildhall Yard will offer something for everyone, from beginners and those looking to develop their skills to those simply wanting to meet others in the City.

Pickleball is one of the world’s fastest growing sports, is easily accessible and quick to learn, and provides teams with a fun and competitive way to venture out of the office, connect with colleagues and experience sport together.

Jumbo volleyball will also make its London Sports Festival debut at Guildhall Yard, bringing a fun and accessible twist to the traditional game. Designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, the oversized ball encourages teamwork, movement and plenty of friendly competition, making it ideal for community groups, families and workplace teams.

Caroline Hanson, Director of Communications and Marketing for Culture Mile BID commented:

Following the huge success of last year’s partnership with the Central London Alliance to host basketball and football at the Guildhall Yard, we look forward to once again welcoming the London Sports Festival to the Culture Mile.

With the Guildhall Yard once home to an ancient Roman amphitheatre and sportsground, it’s a full circle moment to bring sporting activity back to this historic space.

The festival provides local workers, families and visitors a low cost and accessible programme of events this summer, where they can get moving and discover new corners of the Square Mile, as part of our ‘Move the Mile’ summer campaign

What’s on offer at Guildhall Yard

• Pickleball Socials – a new way to network at lunch time with complimentary drinks provided on Tuesday 18 and Friday 21 August.

• Coaching sessions – skills sessions on offer with professional guidance from England’s World Cup Captain, Daniel Osben on Friday 21 August.

• Free junior coaching – introducing the next generation to the sport courtesy of Culture Mile BID on Saturday 22 August.

• Corporate Challenge – fun, competitive session for local businesses and teams in a stunning City setting on Monday 17 August courtesy of Blue Orchid Hospitality and Wednesday 19 August courtesy of Culture Mile BID.

• Serve, Rally & Save Lives – combine pickleball with essential CPR training on Thursday 27 August, 5pm – 7pm, whilst also securing your place in Central London Alliance’s world record attempt in September.

• Pay & Play – the courts can be booked and enjoyed with friends or colleagues from 17 – 27 August, 11am – 7pm.

• Private hire – available for events and corporate bookings.

London Sports Festival is continuing  to demonstrate how sport can help animate public spaces, support local businesses and create healthier, more connected communities.

Pickleball and jumbo volleyball in Guildhall Yard is delivered by Central London Alliance in partnership with Culture Mile BID and with support from Blue Orchid Hospitality and the City of London Corporation. 

Further information, session times and bookings for pickleball and jumbo volleyball together with all of the above activities in Guildhall Yard, are available via the London Sports Festival website.