Shares in U.S. retail giant Walmart (WMT) dribbled lower today despite its partner, Major League Soccer announcing the launch of Walmart Saturday Showdown matches.
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Marquee Soccer Matchups
The Showdown will spotlight a marquee matchup in the MLS each Saturday through the regular season. It all kicks off during the league’s opening weekend with defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami, home to Argentine legend Lionel Messi, taking on Los Angeles Football Club on February 21.
According to Walmart, Walmart Saturday Showdown will serve as the featured matchup within the Saturday slate of games, “giving fans a clear focal point to plan around one of the biggest games of the week.” As part of the league’s partnership with Apple (AAPL), all MLS matches will be available on Apple TV.
“At its core, Walmart Saturday Showdown is about access and community,” said William White, chief marketing officer at Walmart. “With Apple TV and MLS, we are celebrating the sport’s momentum and connecting fans with MLS’ most compelling matchups. Soccer fans don’t just watch matches, they build traditions that make soccer culture contagious, and we want to make it easier for more people to be a part of the fandom by making matchday consistent and shareable every Saturday.”
“2026 will be a historic year for both Major League Soccer and our sport, and the launch of Walmart Saturday Showdown exemplifies how we continue to create new and exciting experiences for fans through an occasion they can plan for every Saturday,” said Camilo Durana, MLS Executive Vice President.
World Cup Winners
The partnership, which has also included sponsoring the Leagues Cup, comes months before the World Cup, which will be held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico this summer. It will feature huge stars like Messi and Lamine Yamal of Spain.
Being attached to a year of exciting soccer could boost the Walmart brand and global revenues in the short and long term. Nearly three-quarters of the MLS fanbase is made up of Gen Zers or millennials, and more than 30% is Hispanic.
That could lead to a boost in its sales to younger people and those in Mexico and Canada gearing up for the World Cup.
Is WMT a Good Stock to Buy Now?
On TipRanks, WMT has a Strong Buy consensus based on 25 Buy and 1 Hold ratings. Its highest price target is $135. WMT stock’s consensus price target is $126.30, implying an 8.76% upside.
