Hello there! Are you curious about the expansive reach of Academy Sports + Outdoors? You've come to the right place! Let's dive into the fascinating details of how many locations this popular sporting goods retailer has and where you can find them.
Step 1: Understanding Academy Sports + Outdoors' Footprint ️
First things first, let's get a clear picture of what Academy Sports + Outdoors is all about. It's a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States, offering a vast array of products for various activities, from team sports and fitness to hunting, fishing, and camping. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown significantly over the decades.
Did you know? Academy Sports + Outdoors was initially a tire shop before transitioning into the sports and outdoor equipment business! Talk about a pivot!
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| How Many Locations Does Academy Sports And Outdoors Have |
Where They Are Primarily Located
Academy Sports + Outdoors has a strong presence across the South, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the United States. While they are expanding into new territories, their core market remains these areas.
Step 2: The Current Store Count: As of Early 2025
As of March 7, 2025, Academy Sports + Outdoors operates a total of 301 stores across 21 states. This number reflects their ongoing expansion efforts and commitment to reaching more customers.
It's important to note that this number is dynamic, as the company is actively opening new stores. For instance, they surpassed the 300-store milestone in Q1 2025.
Recent Growth in 2024 and 2025
Academy Sports + Outdoors has been consistently expanding its footprint:
In fiscal year 2024, they opened 16 new stores across ten different states, including their first locations in Ohio.
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, they opened five new stores, bringing their total to 303 locations. This also included expanding into two new states: Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Step 3: States with Academy Sports + Outdoors Locations
QuickTip: Take a pause every few paragraphs.
As of early 2025, you can find Academy Sports + Outdoors stores in the following 21 states:
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
States with the Highest Concentration
Unsurprisingly, their home state of Texas boasts the highest number of Academy stores, making it a true hub for outdoor enthusiasts and sports lovers. Other states with a significant number of locations include Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Florida.
Step 4: Future Expansion Plans
Academy Sports + Outdoors has ambitious plans for continued growth. They are not slowing down!
Targets for New Store Openings
For fiscal year 2025, the company plans to open a total of 20 to 25 new stores.
Looking further ahead, Academy aims to open approximately 120-140 new stores by the end of 2027. This indicates a substantial increase in their store count over the next few years.
The long-term vision is even more impressive: Academy believes it has the potential to operate over 800 stores nationwide! This would nearly triple their current footprint.
Strategic Focus for New Markets
Academy is strategically focusing its expansion on both new and existing markets, with a particular emphasis on smaller and mid-sized markets. This approach allows them to tap into new customer bases and potentially achieve higher profit opportunities in less saturated areas. They also plan to increase the density of new store openings in new markets around the same time for greater impact.
Step 5: Why the Expansion?
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
Academy's consistent expansion is driven by several key factors:
Meeting Customer Demand
They aim to make shopping for sporting goods and outdoor gear more convenient for families across the country. Their localized merchandising strategy ensures that the product assortment in each store connects strongly with regional preferences and seasonal demands.
Omnichannel Growth
While expanding physical stores, Academy is also keen on driving its e-commerce penetration to 15% of total revenue. New stores are seen as accretive to their comparable sales trends and overall omnichannel strategy, allowing customers to seamlessly shop in-store, online, and through their mobile app.
Value Proposition
Academy focuses on being a value player in the sporting goods space, offering competitive pricing on leading national brands as well as their own portfolio of private label brands (like Magellan Outdoors, Freely, H2OX, and BCG). This value proposition resonates with a broad range of consumers, including those in low-to-middle income cohorts.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Find the Nearest Academy Sports + Outdoors Store?
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
You can easily find the nearest Academy Sports + Outdoors store by visiting their official website, academy.com, and using their store locator tool. Simply enter your zip code or city and state.
How to Check Academy Sports + Outdoors Store Hours?
Store hours for any specific Academy Sports + Outdoors location can be found on their website's store locator page. Just search for your preferred store, and its hours will be displayed.
How to Apply for a Job at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
If you're interested in a career at Academy Sports + Outdoors, you can visit their careers website at careers.academy.com to browse and apply for open positions.
How to Return an Item to Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Academy Sports + Outdoors has a clear return policy. Generally, you can return most items to any store location with your receipt within a specified period, or follow their online return process for mail-in returns. Check their website for the most up-to-date return policy details.
How to Get a Hunting or Fishing License at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Many Academy Sports + Outdoors stores offer the convenience of purchasing hunting and fishing licenses directly in-store. Inquire at the customer service desk or the sporting goods department.
Tip: Bookmark this post to revisit later.
How to Assemble a Grill or Bike Purchased at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Academy Sports + Outdoors often provides free services such as grill and bike assembly for items purchased in their stores. Ask a sales associate for details when you make your purchase.
How to Use the Academy Sports + Outdoors Mobile App?
The Academy Sports + Outdoors mobile app allows you to shop, find deals, access your loyalty program, and manage your account on the go. Download it from your device's app store and explore its features.
How to Contact Academy Sports + Outdoors Customer Service?
You can typically contact Academy Sports + Outdoors customer service through their website's "Contact Us" section, which may include phone numbers, email options, or live chat.
How to Find Sales and Promotions at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Keep an eye on Academy Sports + Outdoors' weekly ads, online circulars, and email newsletters to stay informed about their latest sales and promotions. You can usually sign up for email alerts on their website.
How to Get Updates on New Academy Sports + Outdoors Store Openings?
To stay informed about new store openings, you can follow Academy Sports + Outdoors' official social media channels, check their corporate newsroom on their investor relations website, or sign up for their email list.
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