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Key Takeaways
- Academy Sports + Outdoors plans to open 20-25 new stores in fiscal 2026, building on 24 openings in 2025
- Two new Q1 locations in North Canton, Ohio and Muskogee, Oklahoma bring the retailer to 300+ stores across 21 states
- The company is donating over $10,000 to support more than 40 children through local Parks and Recreation groups tied to the new stores
- Cleveland safety Grant Delpit will host a shopping spree for 20 local youth at the North Canton grand opening
- Academy opened its first Maryland and Pennsylvania locations in 2025, signaling continued geographic diversification
Steady Expansion Across the Sporting Goods Retail Landscape
Academy Sports + Outdoors (Nasdaq: ASO) is pressing forward with its national growth strategy, announcing two new store openings in North Canton, Ohio and Muskogee, Oklahoma for Q1 of fiscal 2026. The Katy, Texas-based retailer now operates four locations in Ohio and 14 in Oklahoma, part of a broader footprint that spans more than 300 stores across 21 states.
The company has set a target of 20-25 new stores for fiscal 2026, a pace consistent with its 2025 performance, when it opened 24 stores across 16 states. That included first-ever entries into Maryland and Pennsylvania. In 2024, Academy added 16 stores across 10 states.
Community Investment as Part of the Playbook
Each new store comes with a community component. Academy is donating over $10,000 to support more than 40 children through local Parks and Recreation groups connected to the North Canton and Muskogee openings. At the North Canton grand opening, Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit is expected to join Academy in hosting 20 local youth, selected by Canton Parks & Recreation leadership, for a shopping spree.
The involvement of a professional athlete in a youth-focused retail activation underscores how sporting goods retailers are increasingly tying store launches to local engagement, particularly around youth access to sports and recreation.
“We’re focused on extending our footprint with intention, growing in the right markets, strengthening our connection with customers, and creating stores that make it easier for families to get out and enjoy the activities they love,” said Eric Friederich, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
What This Means for Youth Sports Retail
Academy’s expansion matters in the youth sports context for a few reasons. The retailer positions itself as a family-first destination, carrying everything from team sports equipment and footwear to camping gear and outdoor cooking products. Its free in-store services, including grill and bike assembly, scope mounting, and line winding, create touchpoints that go beyond a standard transaction.
The company also continues building out its private label portfolio with brands like Magellan Outdoors, Freely, BCG, and Mosaic, offering budget-conscious alternatives for families navigating rising participation costs. With youth sports households spending more than ever on equipment and apparel, the availability of value-oriented retail options in new markets is a relevant development for the broader ecosystem.
The two new stores are expected to bring approximately 120 jobs to their respective communities, adding to Academy’s growing workforce footprint.
Growing Where It Counts
Academy’s approach to expansion, measured and community-oriented, reflects a retailer that understands its customer base. For youth sports families, having a full-line sporting goods destination within reach can make a real difference in accessibility and affordability. As Academy pushes toward its 20-25 store target for fiscal 2026, the company’s trajectory continues to intersect with the broader growth of youth sports participation and spending across the country.
via: Academy Sports
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