Sites Like Sports Authority: 12 Sporting Goods Retailers That Filled the Gap
Text
About Sports Authority
Founded
1928
USA
Ships to
Defunct (stores closed 2016)
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The wall of Nike and Adidas cleats, the treadmill row you could actually test-jog on, the fishing section that smelled faintly of rubber and neoprene, the CoachUp kiosk near the registers — all of that didn't vanish so much as get absorbed. When the 463 stores went dark and the liquidation banners went up (everything 30% off, then 50%, then the fixtures themselves), the customers didn't stop needing running shoes and Little League gear. They just scattered.
Dick's Sporting Goods bought the name and the e-commerce domain for around $15 million, which is why typing sportsauthority.com now bounces you to a competitor. Academy Sports scooped up the value shoppers in Texas and the South. REI kept the outdoor crowd it always had.
What Sports Authority actually offered was breadth at a mid-tier price — one roof for the treadmill, the youth soccer kit, the Coleman cooler, and a rack of discounted last-season Under Armour.
That exact combination is harder to find now, split across regional chains and online outfitters that each do a slice of what the blue store did under one roof. Academy and Dick's are where most of the old team-sports and family shoppers landed, but the fuller answer depends on whether you cared about the deals, the outdoor gear, or just the store nearest the interstate.
Dick's Sporting Goods bought the name and the e-commerce domain for around $15 million, which is why typing sportsauthority.com now bounces you to a competitor. Academy Sports scooped up the value shoppers in Texas and the South. REI kept the outdoor crowd it always had.
What Sports Authority actually offered was breadth at a mid-tier price — one roof for the treadmill, the youth soccer kit, the Coleman cooler, and a rack of discounted last-season Under Armour.
That exact combination is harder to find now, split across regional chains and online outfitters that each do a slice of what the blue store did under one roof. Academy and Dick's are where most of the old team-sports and family shoppers landed, but the fuller answer depends on whether you cared about the deals, the outdoor gear, or just the store nearest the interstate.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Sports Authority
1
Dick's Sporting Goods
Est. 1948
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, USA
≈
similar
Former Sports Authority regulars who want the closest one-roof replacement
Bought the Sports Authority name and domain, then absorbed most of its team-sports and family-shopper base. Same big-box breadth: cleats, treadmills, youth gear, and a real footwear wall.
Pros
- Largest US sporting goods footprint, over 850 stores
- Strong team-sports and youth gear selection
- House brands like CALIA and DSG keep prices down
- Bought the Sports Authority name, so it's the literal successor
Cons
- Stopped selling assault-style rifles, which alienated some hunting customers
- Stores can feel picked-over on sale sizes
- Pricing on brand-name shoes rarely beats online
2
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Est. 1938
Katy, Texas, USA
$
cheaper
Bargain shoppers who lived for the Sports Authority clearance racks
The value-first big box that captured Sports Authority's deal hunters, especially across the South and Texas. Huge fishing, hunting, and camping sections plus family athletic gear.
Pros
- Genuinely low prices on brand-name gear
- Deep hunting, fishing, and camping selection
- Strong regional presence in the South and Midwest
- Grills, coolers, and patio gear alongside sporting goods
Cons
- Store network concentrated in the South, sparse elsewhere
- Customer service and stock consistency vary by location
- Apparel selection thinner than Dick's
3
REI Co-op
Est. 1938
Kent, Washington, USA
$$$
pricier
Hikers, campers, and cyclists who used Sports Authority for gear, not team sports
B Corp
1% for the Planet
Where Sports Authority's outdoor and camping crowd migrated. Deeper technical gear, knowledgeable staff, and the member dividend that turns loyalty into cash back.
Pros
- Co-op membership pays an annual dividend
- Expert staff and generous return policy
- Used Gear program and huge garage sales
- Strong sustainability commitments
Cons
- No team sports, weights, or general athletic wear
- Premium pricing on most gear
- Membership best for frequent buyers only
Visit REI Co-op
Full guide: Stores Like REI Co-op
4
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Est. 1955
El Segundo, California, USA
$
cheaper
West Coast deal hunters who miss the weekly-circular bargains
Small-format West Coast chain that runs the kind of aggressive weekly print-ad sales Sports Authority shoppers loved. Broad mix from cleats to camping at low prices.
Pros
- Aggressive weekly sales and doorbusters
- Broad little-of-everything assortment
- Convenient neighborhood-sized stores
- Strong on hunting and fishing basics
Cons
- Smaller footprint means limited size and brand depth
- Stores lean older and cluttered
- Mostly West Coast locations
5
Hibbett Sports
Est. 1945
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
≈
similar
Sneaker shoppers in smaller towns without a big-box option nearby
Fills the small-town niche Sports Authority never served well, with a heavy sneaker and athletic-apparel focus. Strong Nike and Jordan access for a smaller chain.
Pros
- Excellent Nike and Jordan sneaker allocations
- Located in smaller towns and strip malls
- Strong streetwear and athletic apparel
- Rewards program with regular drops
Cons
- Small stores, limited hardgoods like treadmills
- Not a destination for team equipment or camping
- Sneaker releases sell out fast
6
Scheels
Est. 1902
Fargo, North Dakota, USA
≈
similar
Shoppers who want the biggest possible one-roof sporting goods experience
Employee-owned Midwest superstore that out-does Sports Authority on breadth — some locations have a Ferris wheel and a mountain wildlife display. Everything from firearms to running shoes.
Pros
- Enormous stores with genuinely wide selection
- Employee-owned with strong service reputation
- Covers hunting, fishing, team sports, and apparel
- Experiential extras like aquariums and Ferris wheels
Cons
- Store network limited to the Midwest and Mountain West
- Pricing not the cheapest
- Sheer size can be overwhelming
7
Play It Again Sports
Est. 1983
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
$
cheaper
Parents buying and rotating youth sports equipment on a budget
Recycled
Buys and sells used gear, hitting the value angle Sports Authority clearance shoppers chased. Great for outfitting a growing kid without paying full retail every season.
Pros
- Buys used gear for cash or trade credit
- Great for outgrown youth equipment
- Mix of new and used keeps prices low
- Widely franchised across the US
Cons
- Inventory is unpredictable and store-dependent
- Used goods vary in condition
- Limited apparel and footwear
8
Dunham's Sports
Est. 1937
Troy, Michigan, USA
$
cheaper
Midwest shoppers wanting an affordable full-line sporting goods store
Midwest big-box chain with the same value positioning and broad family assortment Sports Authority ran, from firearms and fishing to sneakers and fitness gear.
Pros
- Low prices and frequent coupons
- Broad assortment including hunting and fishing
- Over 240 stores across the Midwest
- Strong on seasonal and value gear
Cons
- Regional footprint only
- Stores feel dated
- Brand-name depth thinner than national chains
9
Decathlon
Est. 1976
Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France
$
cheaper
Value shoppers who don't need name brands and want gear for many sports
The French giant recreating the affordable one-roof model Sports Authority pioneered, but with strong in-house brands covering nearly every sport at aggressive prices.
Pros
- Extremely low prices on in-house brands
- Covers 70-plus sports under one roof
- Strong value on camping, cycling, and fitness
- Growing US store presence
Cons
- Limited US locations, mostly online for now
- Few big-name brands like Nike or Under Armour
- Quality is good-for-price, not premium
10
Bass Pro Shops
Est. 1972
Springfield, Missouri, USA
≈
similar
Anglers, hunters, and campers who used Sports Authority for outdoor gear
Owns the outdoor and hunting-fishing category Sports Authority carried but never dominated. Destination stores with aquariums, boats, and deep hardgoods.
Pros
- Unmatched fishing and hunting selection
- Destination stores with aquariums and boats
- Owns Cabela's, doubling outdoor reach
- Strong house brands like RedHead
Cons
- Little for team sports or general athletic wear
- Stores are far apart
- Not a stop for treadmills or running shoes
Visit Bass Pro Shops
Full guide: Stores Like Bass Pro Shops
11
Kohl's
Est. 1962
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, USA
$
cheaper
Casual buyers who mainly want discounted athletic apparel and shoes
Not a sporting goods store, but its Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas apparel plus in-store athletic sections capture a big slice of the casual Sports Authority shopper on constant sale.
Pros
- Constant sales and Kohl's Cash rewards
- Solid Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour apparel
- Convenient locations nationwide
- Good for family athletic clothing
Cons
- No hardgoods, camping, or team equipment
- Not a true sporting goods store
- Athletic footwear selection is limited
Visit Kohl's
Full guide: Stores Like Kohl's
12
Rogue Fitness
Est. 2007
Columbus, Ohio, USA
$$$
pricier
Home-gym builders who want durable, serious strength equipment
For the fitness-equipment shopper who once bought a bench or dumbbells at Sports Authority, Rogue offers far better-built gear for home and garage gyms.
Pros
- American-made, near-indestructible equipment
- Gold standard for barbells, racks, and plates
- Used at CrossFit Games and pro gyms
- Strong resale value
Cons
- Expensive compared to big-box fitness gear
- Strength-focused, not general sporting goods
- Heavy items mean high shipping costs
Where the value shoppers landed
If you shopped Sports Authority mainly for its clearance racks and weekly deals, the cheapest credible replacements are Academy Sports, Big 5, Dunham's, and Decathlon. Academy dominates the South with genuinely low prices on brand names, while Decathlon's in-house lines undercut everyone if you don't need a Nike swoosh. Play It Again Sports goes even cheaper by selling used gear.
For the outdoor and camping crowd
Sports Authority carried Coleman coolers and basic camping gear, but never went deep. REI, Bass Pro Shops, and Scheels all do it far better. REI wins on hiking, cycling, and technical gear with expert staff and its co-op dividend; Bass Pro owns fishing and hunting outright. If you want everything under one enormous roof, Scheels is the closest to the old big-box feel.
The closest one-roof replacement
For the shopper who just wants the same experience — cleats, treadmills, youth gear, and a sneaker wall in one trip — Dick's Sporting Goods is the literal successor, having bought the name itself. Scheels matches and often beats it on breadth if you live in the Midwest. Both recreate the department-store-of-sports model Sports Authority ran.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Pick based on why you shopped Sports Authority in the first place. If you want the closest all-in-one replacement, go to Dick's — it owns the name and covers the same team-sports and family ground. If deals were the draw, Academy Sports and Big 5 run the aggressive weekly sales that made the old clearance racks worth a Saturday trip. Outdoor and camping people are better served by REI or Bass Pro Shops, which go far deeper than Sports Authority ever did. Parents rotating youth gear should try Play It Again Sports for used equipment, and anyone building a home gym should skip the big boxes entirely for Rogue Fitness. Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat happened to Sports Authority and why did all the stores close?
Sports Authority filed for bankruptcy and liquidated all 463 stores in 2016 after failing to compete with online retailers and lower-priced chains. Dick's Sporting Goods bought the brand name and e-commerce domain for around $15 million, which is why the old website now redirects to Dick's.
QWhich store is most like Sports Authority now?
Dick's Sporting Goods is the closest match — it literally bought the Sports Authority name and covers the same one-roof mix of team sports, footwear, apparel, and fitness. Scheels is arguably even broader if you live in the Midwest or Mountain West.
QWhere can I find the best deals now that Sports Authority is gone?
Academy Sports offers the lowest everyday prices on brand-name gear, especially in the South. Big 5 and Dunham's run aggressive weekly sales, and Decathlon undercuts everyone with strong in-house brands. For used gear, Play It Again Sports is cheapest.
QIs there a Sports Authority alternative for camping and outdoor gear?
Yes, and they're better at it than Sports Authority was. REI is the top pick for hiking, cycling, and technical gear with expert staff, while Bass Pro Shops and its Cabela's stores dominate fishing and hunting. Scheels covers outdoor gear alongside everything else.
QWhere should I buy youth sports equipment now that Sports Authority closed?
Dick's and Academy both carry deep youth and team-sports sections at reasonable prices. But if your kid is growing out of gear every season, Play It Again Sports lets you buy used cleats, gloves, and pads and trade them back in for credit, which saves serious money over time.
Our Verdict
The Best Sports Authority Alternative For You
Pick based on why you shopped Sports Authority in the first place. If you want the closest all-in-one replacement, go to Dick's — it owns the name and covers the same team-sports and family ground. If deals were the draw, Academy Sports and Big 5 run the aggressive weekly sales that made the old clearance racks worth a Saturday trip. Outdoor and camping people are better served by REI or Bass Pro Shops, which go far deeper than Sports Authority ever did. Parents rotating youth gear should try Play It Again Sports for used equipment, and anyone building a home gym should skip the big boxes entirely for Rogue Fitness.