Are you ready to embark on a journey to discover just how widespread Academy Sports + Outdoors is across the United States? It's more than just a store; it's a destination for sports enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers! Let's dive in and uncover the impressive footprint of this beloved retailer.
As of March 7, 2025, Academy Sports + Outdoors operates 301 stores across 21 states throughout the South, Southeast, and Midwest of the United States. They have been actively expanding, reaching new milestones and opening stores in new states.
Step 1: Understanding Academy Sports + Outdoors
First, let's get a clear picture of what Academy Sports + Outdoors represents. It's not just a big box store; it's a significant player in the American retail landscape, especially for those with a passion for sports and the outdoors.
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| How Many Locations Does Academy Sports Have |
What is Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Academy Sports + Outdoors is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer. Founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, it has grown significantly over the decades. Their mission is to provide "Fun for All" by offering a wide array of products, from athletic apparel and footwear to hunting, fishing, and camping gear. They carry both leading national brands and a portfolio of their own private label brands like Magellan Outdoors and BCG.
Step 2: Tracing the Growth – A Historical Perspective
To truly appreciate the current number of locations, it's helpful to look at Academy's history of expansion. Their growth has been consistent and strategic, moving into new markets and solidifying their presence in existing ones.
The Early Years
1938: Founded in San Antonio, Texas, originally as a family business selling military surplus.
1970s-1980s: Began to expand within Texas, establishing itself as a popular regional chain.
Recent Expansion Milestones
Academy Sports + Outdoors has been on a noticeable growth trajectory in recent years:
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2023: The company opened 14 new stores across 6 different states.
2024: They continued their expansion, opening 16 new stores across 10 different states, including their first locations in Ohio.
Early 2025: As of March 2025, Academy opened its first locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland, contributing to their milestone of surpassing 300 stores. They also opened a new store in Kansas City, Missouri, and planned another for Charlotte, North Carolina. The company plans to open a total of 20-25 new stores in fiscal year 2025.
Step 3: Pinpointing the Current Number of Locations
Now, let's get to the core of the question: how many locations does Academy Sports + Outdoors have?
The Latest Store Count
As of March 7, 2025, Academy Sports + Outdoors officially operates 301 stores across the United States. This number reflects their ongoing commitment to expanding their footprint and making their products more accessible to customers nationwide.
Geographic Reach: States with Academy Stores
Academy Sports + Outdoors has a strong presence primarily in the South, Southeast, and Midwest. As of March 2025, they operate in 21 states, including:
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland (new in 2025)
Mississippi
Missouri
North Carolina
Ohio (new in 2024)
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania (new in 2025)
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
This widespread distribution allows a large segment of the U.S. population to access their vast selection of sporting goods and outdoor recreation equipment.
Step 4: The Strategic Vision Behind Expansion
Academy's growth isn't random; it's a calculated strategy to meet customer demand and broaden their market share.
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Why Expand?
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Increased Accessibility: More stores mean more convenient access for customers who are looking for sporting goods, outdoor gear, and casual apparel.
Market Penetration: Expanding into new states and markets allows Academy to capture new customer bases and compete effectively with other retailers.
Economic Impact: Each new store opening creates jobs and contributes to the local economy, reinforcing Academy's presence in the communities they serve. For example, the new stores opened in Q1 2025 were expected to create approximately 300 new jobs.
"Fun for All" Mission: Their expansion reinforces their mission to help more families and individuals "have fun out there" by providing quality products at competitive prices.
Step 5: Finding a Store Near You
While knowing the total count is interesting, what most users really want to know is how to find their nearest Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Utilizing the Store Locator
The easiest and most accurate way to find an Academy Sports + Outdoors location is to use their official store locator.
Visit the Academy Sports + Outdoors website: Navigate to their official website, typically
www.academy.com.Locate the "Store Locator" or "Find a Store" section: This is usually found in the header or footer of the website.
Enter your location: You can typically search by city, state, or ZIP code. Some locators also offer a "Geolocate" option to automatically detect your current location.
View results: The map or list will display nearby stores, often providing details such as store hours, address, and phone number.
Step 6: Beyond the Physical Stores
It's also worth noting that Academy Sports + Outdoors extends its reach beyond its physical locations.
Online Presence
In addition to its brick-and-mortar stores, Academy has a robust online presence. Their e-commerce platform allows customers to browse and purchase products from anywhere, providing a convenient alternative for those who may not live near a physical store or prefer online shopping. This multi-channel approach ensures maximum accessibility for their customer base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How to find the nearest Academy Sports + Outdoors store?
You can easily find the nearest Academy Sports + Outdoors store by using the "Store Locator" tool on their official website, www.academy.com. Simply enter your city, state, or ZIP code.
How to check Academy Sports + Outdoors store hours?
Once you locate a specific store using their online store locator, the store's dedicated page will typically display its current operating hours, including any holiday hours.
How to apply for a job at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
You can find information about career opportunities and apply for jobs directly on the "Careers" section of the Academy Sports + Outdoors corporate website.
How to return an item to Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Academy Sports + Outdoors generally has a clear return policy. Details on how to return an item, including requirements for receipts and packaging, can be found on their website under the "Returns & Exchanges" or "Customer Service" section.
How to contact Academy Sports + Outdoors customer service?
Customer service contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, is typically available on the "Contact Us" or "Customer Service" page of their official website.
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How to use Academy Sports + Outdoors gift cards?
Academy Sports + Outdoors gift cards can usually be redeemed both in-store and online at checkout. The website will have specific instructions for online redemption.
How to sign up for Academy Sports + Outdoors emails and promotions?
You can typically sign up for email newsletters and promotional offers on their website by entering your email address in a designated sign-up field, often found in the footer.
How to find sales and clearance items at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Look for "Clearance" or "Sale" sections on their website, or visit a physical store where sales and clearance racks are usually clearly marked.
How to check the stock of an item at a specific Academy Sports + Outdoors location?
On their website, when viewing a product, there's often an option to "Check Store Availability" where you can select a specific store to see if the item is in stock.
How to learn about Academy Sports + Outdoors' community involvement?
Information about Academy Sports + Outdoors' community initiatives, partnerships, and sponsorships is usually detailed in the "About Us" or "Corporate Responsibility" sections of their corporate website.
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