Academy Sports and Outdoors opens second Illinois store, eyes up to 15 new U.S. locations in 2023

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Apr 26, 2023

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. announced on Tuesday it will open its first location in Peoria, Illinois in the summer of 2023, serving as the sporting good retailer's second location in the state. 

Located in the city's Grand Prairie Plaza, the new store boasts more than 60,000 square feet and will carry a wide assortment of sports and outdoors products, including ​athletic and casual shoes, sports and outdoors equipment, and clothing from brands such as Nike, Adidas, The North Face, Under Armour, Columbia, Yeti, Carhartt, Wrangler, Cat, Traeger and more.  

Academy also offers its private label brands such as Magellan Outdoors, Freely, R.O.W., BCG, H2OX, Mosaic, and O'Rageous, which cover outdoor apparel and equipment, women's and men's apparel, workout attire, fishing equipment, and water gear, respectively.

"We're excited to be a new destination for the Peoria community to find everything they need to pursue their sports and outdoors passions with top national brands like Nike, adidas, Yeti, Columbia, Carhartt, and many more," said Sam Johnson, Academy's executive vice president of retail operations.

"At Academy Sports and Outdoors we deliver fun with a broad assortment of products at a great value and unmatched service that makes it easier for active families planning a day on the Illinois River, kids gearing up for summer fun, and anglers reeling in a big catch."

The Katy, Texas-based Academy said plans to continue its expansion efforts in 2023 with the goal of opening 13 – 15 stores this year, and a total of 120 to 140 new stores by the end of 2027.