Walmart Open Call 2026: How to Prepare
Walmart is always on the lookout for innovative products that are made, grown, or assembled in the United States. That's why it began Open Call more than a decade ago.
Open Call has provided thousands of small and medium-sized businesses the chance to become Walmart suppliers. Since its launch in 2014, it has provided an amazing opportunity for entrepreneurs with a shelf-ready product. Being granted a Walmart Golden Ticket is the start of an amazing journey.
Last year's event was another strong showing. At the 2025 Open Call in Bentonville, more than 500 entrepreneurs attended and more than 100 received Golden Tickets. International buyers from Canada and Mexico also participated, further expanding the opportunity beyond U.S. borders.
What Is Walmart Open Call?
Walmart Open Call 2026 Key Dates
Applications for the 2026 Open Call closed August 3. The main event takes place October 6-7, 2026, at Walmart's Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas. If you already have your invitation, now is the time to prepare.
If you missed this year's window, Walmart typically opens its Road to Open Call regional tour the following spring, giving entrepreneurs a chance to earn a fast pass to the main event. Keep an eye out for next year's schedule.
For further information directly from Walmart: https://corporate.walmart.com/suppliers/investing-in-american-jobs/events/annual-open-call
What to Do If You Are Accepted to Open Call
You'll need to put together a presentation about your product, but before you begin, dedicate an afternoon to walking the store. Better still, dedicate a full day to walking through several Walmart stores. Observe. Take notes.
Spend time looking at the shelves where your product is likely to be placed. What is missing in that category? What does your product do to fill in that gap? How will your product fill an unmet need? How is your product innovative? Why does Walmart need it?
Download Your Free New Walmart Supplier Checklist
Before you dive into preparing your presentation, make sure you’re fully equipped for success. Our New Walmart Supplier Checklist gives you all the essential steps you need to become a successful Walmart supplier — from getting ready to apply to staying on the shelf and growing your business.
Download your free checklist now
Your Golden Ticket Gets You On Walmart.com Too. Now What?
A Golden Ticket doesn't only put you in stores. Open Call outcomes regularly include placement on Walmart.com, SamsClub.com, and Walmart Marketplace, and that digital shelf runs on its own rules, starting with Walmart Connect advertising.
If you've never spent a dollar on Walmart Connect, you're not alone, and you're not too small to start. 8th & Walton Digital builds and manages Walmart Connect campaigns for suppliers at every stage, including those starting from zero. There's no minimum ad spend required. We build the strategy, launch the first campaigns, and grow the budget as the program proves itself.
Unlike agencies that bring an Amazon playbook to Walmart, we've done nothing but Walmart for two decades. If your product photos and listing content aren't advertising-ready yet, we can build that too: a full image gallery, title, and product description from a single photo. (That's an add-on, not a requirement to get started.)
We've taken suppliers from their first advertising dollar to seven-figure annual Walmart Connect spend. Wherever you're starting, that's the direction we build toward.
What to Include in Your Open Call Presentation
- Only information about the single product you are presenting, not other products
- How your product differs from others, how it is innovative, how it fills an unmet need of the Walmart shopper
- Sales data (if available)
- Sales data from other retailers (if available)
- A marketing plan
- Promotion ideas for your product
- Private label options
- All testing and research you have done
- The back story of the brand, but only if you can make this brief and interesting
- Testimonials or stories from your customers
Tips About Presenting at Open Call
- You will have a limited time to present. Allow time for questions from Walmart.
- Make notes of exactly what you want to convey. Be succinct.
- Practice in front of a mirror.
- Practice in front of a mirror while you are smiling.
- Practice in front of a live person or two.
- Begin your presentation with WHY your product should be in Walmart.
Walmart Open Call FAQ
What does Made In the USA actually mean to Walmart?
Made, grown, or assembled in the United States.
When will I hear if I’m accepted?
Invited companies are typically notified the first week of September, following the close of the application period, via email from RangeMe.
What is RangeMe?
Walmart has partnered with RangeMe, a product-discovery and sourcing platform, to gather all product pitches for Open Call.
"One of the best things to do if you are going to participate in Walmart's annual Open Call is to set up a free account with RangeMe," suggests Joel Graham, one of 8th & Walton's key directors and advisors to Walmart suppliers. "This will allow you to create a product profile, and that's great exposure for you."
I applied a few years back but was not selected. May I apply again?
Yes, repeat attendees are encouraged to return to Open Call but to pitch only for categories not previously pitched and only to Walmart merchants with whom they have not met in the last twelve months.
How many of my team may attend?
A maximum of one attendee per company for the main event.
I see that only shelf-ready products should be presented. What does that mean?
Products must be already in hand and must have a UPC code. They must be all set to actually be put on a Walmart shelf.
The application is a little confusing to me. May I just leave a couple of things blank?
Walmart advises suppliers to complete all sections of the application form and pay close attention to the supplier requirements. Share everything you can, including where your products are made or assembled. Filling it out completely increases your chances of success.
How can I find out more about Open Call?
Walmart explains many details here. Additionally, Walmart offers help preparing through its Road to Open Call, with further information available on their site.
What do I need to know about Bentonville, Arkansas?
Welcome to Bentonville! We are thrilled to have you. To learn about staying in and visiting Walmart's hometown, we recommend visiting Visit Bentonville. They have an easy-to-use website with trip planners and suggested outings.
Need Assistance? We’re Here for You!
If you are fortunate enough to receive a Golden Ticket, do your utmost to complete everything requested promptly and accurately. Errors can set you back months or even eliminate you. Our 8th & Walton experts, with decades of experience working with Walmart, are here to guide you through a flawless onboarding as a Walmart supplier. Book a discovery call to learn more!
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