STWF Sports | ARLINGTON, Texas | May 13, 2026 — The Dallas Wings officially tipped off a new partnership with Kroger during Tuesday night’s sold-out home opener at College Park Center, combining the excitement of WNBA basketball with a major commitment to community outreach across North Texas.
As part of the collaboration, Kroger served as the presenting sponsor for Dallas’ matchup against the Atlanta Dream and immediately established a visible presence throughout the arena experience.
More than 6,000 rally towels were distributed to fans attending the Wings’ home opener, helping energize the sold-out crowd while introducing Kroger’s partnership to the franchise’s growing fan base. The company also received prominent placement through in-arena signage, digital branding and team social media integrations throughout the evening.
The partnership extends far beyond game-night branding.
According to the organization, Kroger will remain heavily involved throughout the entire 2026 WNBA season through continued community activations, youth programming and fan engagement opportunities tied to the Wings organization.
Supporting the Dallas Wings Community Initiatives
One of the most impactful moments of Tuesday’s home opener came during an in-game community presentation.
Kroger’s Texas Division announced a $150,000 matching grant to the Tarrant Area Food Bank Summer Feeding Program as part of the grocer’s “Zero Hunger Zero Waste” initiative.
The donation reinforced one of the central goals behind the new partnership — creating meaningful local impact beyond basketball.
Dallas Wings leadership emphasized the importance of aligning with organizations that prioritize community investment and outreach throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“Kroger’s principle of caring for the community is pivotal to this partnership,” the organization stated as part of Tuesday’s announcement.
That shared commitment will also extend into youth sports development.
Kroger will serve as the Presenting Partner of the Dallas Wings Youth Basketball Community Clinics, a series of events designed to strengthen relationships with local youth and families while continuing to grow interest in girls basketball throughout North Texas.
The clinics are expected to take place throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex during the 2026 season and will provide opportunities for young athletes to engage directly with the franchise and learn fundamental basketball skills in a positive community setting.
The partnership between Kroger and the Wings has already been visible during several major franchise moments this year.
Kroger also supported the Wings’ WNBA Draft Party held April 13 in downtown Dallas, where the organization selected Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
The event drew strong fan attendance and featured a commemorative photo experience sponsored by Kroger.
Fudd’s arrival added another major storyline to the franchise’s evolving roster and marked the second consecutive season the Wings selected a former University of Connecticut star with the No. 1 overall pick.
Dallas previously selected reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers at the top of the 2025 draft, helping elevate national attention surrounding the organization entering the 2026 season.
The Wings continue building momentum both on and off the court as the franchise prepares for its future full-time move into Dallas while simultaneously expanding its business partnerships and community presence throughout the region.
Tuesday’s sold-out home opener further demonstrated the growing excitement surrounding women’s basketball in North Texas despite Dallas falling 77-72 to Atlanta in a tightly contested game.
The atmosphere inside College Park Center reflected the increasing visibility and commercial growth surrounding the WNBA, with partnerships like Kroger’s becoming an increasingly important part of franchise expansion.
Several key representatives from both organizations participated in Tuesday’s partnership launch presentation, including Kroger Texas Division President Rudy DiPietro and Dallas Wings CEO and Managing Partner Greg Bibb.
The event also featured appearances from the Kroji mascots alongside Wings mascot Lightning, adding to the celebratory environment surrounding the collaboration.
As the 2026 season continues, both organizations hope the partnership will strengthen fan engagement while also providing meaningful support for families and communities throughout North Texas.
For the Wings, the collaboration represents another major step in the organization’s continued growth both as a basketball franchise and as a community-driven brand within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex sports landscape.
