Lifetime’s newest holiday movie, A Pickleball Christmas, stars James Lafferty and Zibby Allen in a festive tale of love, sports, and community. Swooon exclusively debuted the first trailer for the film, which premieres December 20 at 8/7c as part of Lifetime’s It’s a Wonderful Lifetime slate.
Lafferty, best known from One Tree Hill, plays tennis star Luke Hollis, who returns home to Florida for Christmas only to discover his family’s racquet club is at risk of being sold. He joins forces with Caroline (Allen), the club’s pickleball coach, and enters a holiday pickleball tournament — though Luke quickly learns that tennis skills alone aren’t enough in the “fastest growing sport in America.”
As Luke and Caroline train together, sparks fly both on and off the court. Caroline admits, “I know pickleball is silly, but it’s given me community and friends,” touching Luke as he realizes he’s competing for more than just a trophy — he’s swinging for love.
This marks the first holiday movie for both Lafferty and Allen. Lafferty recently created, directed, and starred in Everyone is Doing Great, streaming on Tubi, while Allen just wrapped Virgin River Season 7 and will return for Season 8 in 2026.
A Pickleball Christmas hits Lifetime December 20 at 8/7c.
