storefront — New Academy Sports + Outdoors in Birmingham off Hwy. 280. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Academy Sports + Outdoors has opened at River Ridge Shopping Center on Highway 280.

The popular sporting goods store returns to the Highway 280 corridor after a five-year hiatus.

16th Academy Sports + Outdoors in Alabama

“Academy Sports + Outdoors is excited to debut in Birmingham with our 16th store in the state of Alabama. We look forward to serving the Birmingham community by providing fun for all through a wide assortment of Sports and Outdoors products that are curated to make the most out of every budget.”

Rose Ellis, Store Director, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Store 371

According to Ellis, beginning Thursday, October 10, the store is hosting a four-day grand opening full of amazing, limited-time deals.

Families are invited to stop in for free events, including gift card, giveaways, and interactive demonstrations by branded Academy Sports + Outdoors. For a full list of deals and events, customers can visit academy.com/Birmingham.

River Ridge Shopping Center transformation

The River Ridge Shopping Center has gone through a major transformation over past few years. Major box stores such as Best Buy, Staples and Nordstrom The Rack have departed. They have been replaced by Marshalls and now Academy.

Academy Sports store hours

Thinking about visiting the new Academy Sports + Outdoors? Below are the hours and location:

Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 9AM-9PM; Friday, 9AM-10PM; Saturday, 8AM – 10PM
Location: 4610 US Highway 280, Birmingham, AL 35242

Are you a big fan of Academy Sports + Outdoors? Tell us what you like about this popular sporting goods superstore by tagging us on social media at @bhamnow