Updated on Tuesday, October 13, 2026: Academy Sports + Outdoors has already activated several Black Friday 2026 shopping pages, but the retailer has not yet released its full Black Friday ad or official Thanksgiving-week schedule. Current Black Friday sections cover categories including shoes, basketball equipment, ride-ons, hunting gear and outdoor products.
Last year, Academy’s Black Friday Week deals began November 20, followed by additional doorbusters on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Stores remained closed Thanksgiving Day and reopened at 5:00 AM on Black Friday.
For 2026, we expect the main event to begin around November 19–20, about one week before Black Friday on November 27.
Academy Sports Black Friday 2026 at a Glance
| Sale Detail | Our 2026 Prediction |
|---|---|
| Early Black Friday deals | Around November 19–20 |
| Thanksgiving | November 26 |
| Black Friday | November 27 |
| Store opening | Around 5:00 AM on Black Friday |
| Shoes and apparel | 20%–40% off select styles |
| Fitness equipment | Up to roughly 50% off select items |
| Grills and outdoor cooking | $50–$500+ off select models |
| Bikes and ride-ons | Up to roughly 50% off select products |
| Sports equipment | 20%–50% off select products |
| Cyber Monday | November 30 |
| Expected ad release | Early to mid-November |
These are predictions until Academy publishes its official 2026 event schedule.
When Will Academy Sports Black Friday 2026 Start?
Our best guess is Thursday, November 19 or Friday, November 20.
Academy’s 2025 holiday schedule had Black Friday Week deals running from November 20 through November 28, with separate doorbusters on November 27 and 28. Cyber Week followed from November 30 through December 7. Following the same pattern would put this year’s Black Friday Week launch roughly November 19–20.
There is little reason to wait until November 27 if the product you want reaches a strong price beforehand. Academy increasingly treats Black Friday as a week-long event rather than a single Friday sale.
What Did Academy Offer Last Black Friday?
Academy’s 2025 ad included deals across footwear, apparel, grills, fitness equipment, bikes and sporting goods.
Some of the featured offers included:
| 2025 Deal | Black Friday Offer |
|---|---|
| Nike shoes and clothing | Up to 25% off |
| HEYDUDE, Converse and Crocs | 25% off select styles |
| Puma adult fleece | 40% off select styles |
| Athletic shoes | Starting at $29.99 |
| Pit Boss Navigator 1000 Pellet Grill | $399.99, was $999.99 |
| Freely Pilates Board | $49.99, was $99.99 |
| Spalding 54″ Pro Glide Hoop | $249.99, was $499.99 |
| Select sports balls and baseball bats | Up to 50% off |
| Select ride-ons | Up to 50% off |
The sale ran from November 20 through November 29 while supplies lasted.
That gives us a useful benchmark for judging the 2026 deals.
Some Black Friday 2026 Deals Are Already Showing Up
Academy’s Black Friday 2026 category pages are already populated with Hot Deals.
Current examples include a Spalding 54-inch Pro Glide basketball hoop at $349.99 from $499.99 and a Spalding 44-inch basketball system at $199.99 from $299.99.
The current Black Friday footwear page also lists the ASICS Gel-Venture 11 at $69.99 from $89.99, while selected Nike running shoes are discounted depending on color.
Trail-camera offers are even more aggressive. Academy currently lists a Moultrie Edge 2 two-pack at $79.99 from $149.99, a 47% discount.
These prices may change before Thanksgiving, but they provide an important comparison point. A Black Friday deal should beat or at least match prices Academy is already offering in October.
Shoes and Apparel Should Be a Major Category
Footwear is consistently one of Academy’s strongest Black Friday categories.
Last year, Nike products reached 25% off, selected HEYDUDE, Converse and Crocs styles were 25% off, and some Puma fleece was discounted 40%.
For 2026, we would consider 25% off popular current-season Nike, adidas or Crocs merchandise a reasonable deal. Discounts around 40% become more compelling, particularly when they apply to styles that are not already sitting in clearance.
Academy’s Black Friday 2026 shoe pages are already live, so this category is clearly expected to remain important.
Grills Could Produce Some of the Biggest Dollar Savings
Outdoor cooking has historically produced some of Academy’s most eye-catching Black Friday discounts.
The Pit Boss Navigator 1000 Pellet Grill dropped from $999.99 to $399.99 last year, while an Outdoor Gourmet charcoal grill and a three-burner gas grill were each advertised for $99.
A grill marked down by $300–$600 can be more meaningful than a much larger percentage discount on a smaller product.
For 2026, compare the specific model number, cooking area and included accessories. Grill manufacturers often sell similar-looking models at very different regular prices.
Fitness Equipment Is Worth Watching
Academy has repeatedly used Black Friday to discount larger fitness products.
Last year’s event included up to 50% off select fitness equipment, including a Pilates board reduced from $99.99 to $49.99.
Previous Academy events have also featured large discounts on treadmills and other home-gym equipment.
If you’re shopping for a treadmill, weight bench, exercise bike or other bulky equipment, check delivery costs and assembly requirements along with the sale price.
Bikes, Ride-Ons and Outdoor Gifts Should Return
Academy’s Black Friday sale usually includes a substantial assortment of kids’ bikes, scooters, hoverboards and battery-powered ride-ons.
Its current 2026 Black Friday ride-on page already has several Hot Deals, including a $99.99 item reduced from $149.99, a Ford Bronco ride-on at $199.99 from $249.99 and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Wagon at $299.99 from $399.99.
Last year’s event included some ride-ons at up to 50% off.
For this category, 30% off is good. A true 50% markdown on a well-reviewed model is much more interesting.
Join myAcademy Rewards Before Black Friday
Academy substantially revamped its rewards program in 2026.
The free myAcademy Rewards program now includes a $15 welcome offer, a $15 birthday reward, a $25 reward after $500 in annual Academy spending and free shipping on qualifying Academy.com orders of $25 or more.
Cardholders receive 5% off qualifying Academy purchases and free standard shipping with no minimum.
The important caveat is that rewards and discounts do not always stack with other promotions. Check the Black Friday terms before assuming you can add another discount to a doorbuster.
Academy’s Price Match Can Help, but Black Friday Has Exceptions
Academy normally beats qualifying competitor prices by 5% on identical, in-stock merchandise from approved retailers such as Amazon, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, REI, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Target and Walmart.
However, clearance prices, timed events, limited-quantity offers, coupons, rebates and some other special promotions are excluded.
That means many traditional Black Friday doorbusters may not qualify.
Academy also allows qualifying price adjustments within 14 days of purchase, but merchandise bought during timed events is excluded.
So do not assume buying early automatically protects you against every Black Friday price drop.
Shipping Is Better for Rewards Members
Academy’s current shipping policy gives myAcademy Rewards members free standard shipping on qualifying orders over $25. Nonmembers need to spend more than $50, while Academy credit cardholders receive qualifying standard shipping with no minimum.
Academy also offers store pickup and same-day delivery options on qualifying products.
For bulky grills, fitness equipment and other oversized merchandise, check the individual product page because standard free-shipping rules may not apply.
Returns Are Relatively Generous
Academy generally allows most unused merchandise in new condition to be returned within 60 days of purchase.
That is useful for holiday gifts purchased before Thanksgiving.
There can still be category-specific restrictions, so check the return terms on large equipment, specialized outdoor gear and other unusual products before buying.
Should You Wait for Cyber Monday?
Probably not for a strong Black Friday doorbuster.
Academy’s 2025 holiday schedule moved directly from Black Friday Week into Cyber Week, with Cyber Week running November 30 through December 7.
That makes Cyber Monday a useful second chance, but not necessarily a better sale.
If a grill falls hundreds of dollars, a basketball hoop reaches roughly 50% off or the exact shoe you want is deeply discounted in your size, we would buy during Black Friday rather than gamble on November 30.
When Will the Academy Sports Black Friday 2026 Ad Be Released?
Academy’s 2025 Black Friday ad was posted November 6, roughly three weeks before Black Friday.
That makes early November the most reasonable window for the 2026 ad.
Academy already has multiple pages labeled “Black Friday Sale 2026” live on its website, so the holiday merchandising is clearly being prepared.
Once Academy releases the complete 2026 ad and schedule, we’ll update this page with the confirmed dates, store hours and standout deals on shoes, grills, fitness equipment, bikes and sporting goods.
Until then, you can see the Academy Sports Black Friday 2025 ad and complete ad history below.
Black Friday Ad History/Archive
Is Academy Sports’ Black Friday sale this year as good as last year’s? Take a look a the ad history below to compare the offers.
- 2025: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
- 2024: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.
- 2023: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32.
- 2022: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34.
- 2021: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28.
- 2020: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28.
- 2019: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.
- 2018: Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21.
Questions & Comments
What will you be picking up this thanksgiving weekend at Academy Sports + Outdoors? A new basketball hoop? Maybe a ping-pong table? Leave your comments below.