Academy Sports + Outdoors Expands Footprint with 11 New Stores in Q3 — Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc.

Event summary

Academy Sports + Outdoors opened two new stores in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and Kerrville, Texas, and plans to open nine more locations across six states by the end of Q3 2026.
The company expects to create over 650 new jobs through these expansions.
Academy committed $65,000 in donations to support more than 200 children through local nonprofit organizations as part of the grand opening celebrations.
The retailer has opened seven new stores in 2026 so far, aiming for a total of 20 to 25 new locations this fiscal year.
Since 2022, Academy has opened over 60 new locations, including 24 in 2025 and 16 in 2024.

The big picture

Academy Sports + Outdoors continues its rapid expansion strategy, aiming to solidify its position as a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer. The company's growth is supported by investments in customer experience enhancements, such as the myAcademy Rewards Mastercard and the enhanced myAcademy Rewards program. This expansion comes amid a broader industry trend of retailers focusing on omnichannel strategies and community engagement to drive growth and customer loyalty.

What we're watching

Execution Risk: Whether Academy can sustain its aggressive expansion pace while maintaining operational efficiency and customer experience.
Market Penetration: How the new store openings will impact Academy's market share in existing and new markets.
Customer Engagement: The effectiveness of Academy's enhanced myAcademy Rewards program and new credit card in driving customer loyalty and sales.