Play It Again Sports®
What Is Play It Again Sports?
Play It Again Sports is a retail franchise operating brick-and-mortar stores that buy and sell quality used and new sporting goods equipment and accessories. It serves individual consumers and families (B2C), targeting people active in sporting activities and those purchasing sporting goods for them. Franchisees receive the Play It Again Sports Business System and trademarks, including operational manuals and access to an inventory buying group, and must comply with applicable laws and franchise requirements.
Play It Again Sports Franchise: Pros and Cons
The franchise offers very strong territorial protection (territory protection score 95, in the top 5% for Retail), but it also shows a notable level of past franchisee exits - seven outlet terminations (top 10% for Retail) plus one non-renewal, indicating elevated exit risk.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
Play It Again Sports reported no material legal proceedings,
Territory Protection
Play It Again Sports grants site-specific territory (territory_type: null) under Item 12, and the Franchise Agreement states Winmark cannot alter them. There are no performance contingencies or franchisor online/alternative-channel sales rights, and without a right of first refusal the franchisor retains the right to develop units in the surrounding market.
Training & Support
Play It Again Sports provides a robust 77-hour training curriculum designed to prepare franchise personnel for launch, and the initial franchise fee does not include training for any individuals. The program includes on-site launch assistance provided as part of the offering, and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.
Franchisee Stability
Play It Again Sports earns an Excellent Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 1.69% is well below the typical Retail franchise (around 5%). Out of 13 total exits, terminations dominated with 12, alongside 1 non-renewal, no franchisor buybacks, and no ceased operations.
The dominance of terminations suggests franchisor-initiated exits, which can mean operators struggled with the model or that the franchisor enforces standards aggressively. The system had about 265 franchised outlets in the most recent year, so this pattern comes from a substantial base rather than a tiny pilot. Prospective buyers should ask why those terminations occurred and how the franchisor handled remediation and support for affected operators. For prospective franchisees, this is among the strongest retention profiles in franchising.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Play It Again Sports Franchise?
Opening a Play It Again Sports franchise requires a total initial investment of $346,300 to $459,700, according to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.
Minimum Investment
Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
Investment Analysis
This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.
The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Play It Again Sports a good franchise to own?
Whether Play It Again Sports is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Play It Again Sports operates 309 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 42/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a Play It Again Sports franchise worth the investment?
The value of a Play It Again Sports franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $346,300 to $459,700. Play It Again Sports disclosed average gross sales of $1,172,630 in 2026. The system reported 7 terminated units in 2026. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.
What is the failure rate of Play It Again Sports franchises?
In the 2026 FDD, Play It Again Sports reported 7 terminated franchises and 1 non-renewals out of 309 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.
How long does it take to break even with a Play It Again Sports franchise?
Break-even timelines for Play It Again Sports franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.
Is Play It Again Sports a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2026 FDD, Play It Again Sports operates 309 franchised locations and 0 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
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