Academy Sports + Outdoors to Open Three New Stores in Q2
Rhea-AI Summary
Academy Sports + Outdoors (Nasdaq: ASO) plans to open three new stores in Q2 2026, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and North Knoxville and Morristown, Tennessee. Combined, the stores are expected to create nearly 200 new jobs and feature grand opening events and community-focused donations totaling $15,000.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Three new Q2 2026 stores in Pennsylvania and Tennessee
- Nearly 200 new jobs expected across the three new locations
- $15,000 in donations to local nonprofits tied to grand openings
- 24 new stores opened across 16 states in 2025
- 16 new stores opened across 10 states in 2024
- Expansion supported by new myAcademy Rewards Mastercard and enhanced rewards program
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – ASO
On the day this news was published, ASO declined 1.46%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ASO slipped 1.13% while key peers showed mixed moves: RH (-1.88%), BBWI (-3.22%), MNSO (-1.59%), but FIVE (+1.17%) and MUSA (+0.29%) rose. The scanner did not flag a broad sector momentum move, suggesting the reaction was more stock-specific than a clear retail-wide rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14 | Debt refinancing | Neutral | -1.0% | Closed $500M 5.875% senior secured notes due 2031, refinancing existing debt. |
| May 04 | Debt pricing | Neutral | +0.5% | Priced $500M 5.875% senior secured notes due 2031 to refinance 2027 notes. |
| May 04 | Debt offering | Neutral | -3.8% | Announced intent to offer $500M senior secured notes due 2031 in private placement. |
| Apr 07 | Analyst Day | Positive | -3.2% | Hosted Analyst Day outlining long-term strategy and growth initiatives. |
| Apr 07 | Sales update | Positive | -3.2% | Preliminary Q1 update with sales up 6%–7% and comps up 2%–3%. |
Recent news—including debt refinancing and upbeat sales updates—has often seen muted-to-negative price reactions, with several positive or neutral announcements coinciding with declines.
Over the past few months, Academy has focused on balance sheet optimization and growth messaging. In early April, management previewed Q1 fiscal 2026 with expected sales up 6%–7% and comps up 2%–3%, yet the stock fell about 3.2%. Subsequent senior secured notes offerings and the final closing of $500 million of 5.875% notes produced mixed, mostly negative, price reactions. Today’s three-store Q2 expansion update fits the longer-term strategy centered on new store growth and profitability.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement underscores Academy’s continued footprint expansion, adding three Q2 stores after opening 24 in 2025 and 16 in 2024, and creating nearly 200 new jobs. The company pairs growth with community engagement, including a $15,000 donation supporting more than 60 children. Against earlier updates highlighting 6%–7% Q1 sales growth, this reinforces a strategy centered on new stores, local presence, and value-focused offerings.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Retailer continues to expand its national footprint while remaining invested in local communities
"Our focus remains on staying grounded in what matters most, which is serving families in the communities we call home by making it easier to play, compete, and enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank," said Eric Friederich, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations at Academy Sports + Outdoors. "We know fun can't lose when we pair unbeatable value with the local accessibility customers can count on."
2026 Q2 New Store Opening Locations |
Academy plans to celebrate each new store by donating
In pursuit of becoming the best sports and outdoors retailer in the country, Academy opened a total of 24 new stores across 16 states in 2025, including its first locations in
Academy's store growth is supported by continued investments that enhance the customer experience, including the recent rollout of the new myAcademy Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card, and enhanced myAcademy Rewards program, providing cardmembers and loyal customers with exclusive benefits and ways to save. Together, these initiatives reinforce Academy's commitment to delivering unbeatable value both in-store and beyond.
Every Academy store is a fun destination where families can find apparel, footwear, sports, hiking and camping equipment, hunting and fishing gear, outdoor cooking, and more from top national brands at an everyday value. Academy also offers free services such as grill and bike assembly, scope mounting, bore sighting, line winding/spooling, and propane exchange. Hunting and fishing licenses are also available to purchase in stores.
Additionally, Academy offers tremendous value and quality through its exclusive, private label brands such as Magellan Outdoors, Freely, R.O.W., BCG, H2OX, Redfield, and Mosaic, which offer great choices for outdoor apparel and equipment for the entire family, women's and men's apparel, workout attire, fishing equipment, hunting optics and accessories, and outdoor furniture, respectively.
Customers can find the best assortment of athletic and casual shoes, sports and outdoors equipment, and clothing from top national brands such as Nike, adidas, Carhartt, YETI, Stanley, Marucci, Titleist, Shimano, Brooks, Blackstone, Owala and more, in-store and online, and through the Academy mobile app.
Combined, the three new stores are expected to bring nearly 200 total new jobs to their local communities. Individuals interested in careers at Academy can visit careers.academy.com to apply for open positions.
About Academy Sports + Outdoors
Academy is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on Academy's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements may incorporate words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "forward," "ahead," "opportunities," "plans," "priorities," "goals," "future," "short/long term," "will," "should," or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global, regional, or local economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond Academy's control. These and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Academy's filings with the
Media Contact: Brooke Fendley, Sr. Specialist External Communications, publicrelations@academy.com
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SOURCE Academy Sports + Outdoors