 | |
 Sports Direct store, York | |
| |
| Formerly | |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1982; 43 years ago (1982) |
| Founder | Mike Ashley |
| Headquarters | Shirebrook, England |
Number of locations | 715 stores (2024)[2] |
Area served | |
| Products | |
| Services | Sports Direct Membership |
Number of employees | approx. 20,000 (2024)[2] |
| Parent | Frasers Group |
| Divisions | Lillywhites |
| Website | SportsDirectSportsWorld |
Sportsdirect.com Retail Limited,trading asSports Direct, is a British retail company owned byFrasers Group. The company was founded in 1982 byMike Ashley and was originally based inMaidenhead, England. It specialises in the sale of sports equipment, clothing, footwear, and accessories, operating both physical outlets and an online store.[3]
The company operates in 19 countries, including France, Germany, and Spain. Certain Frasers Group fascias, such asUSC,Game, andEvans Cycles, also operate within selected Sports Direct stores.[4][5]
The company was founded byMike Ashley in 1982 as a single store inMaidenhead trading under the name of "Mike Ashley Sports".[3][6]
In February 2006,Sports World International purchased Gilesports and merged it with Sports World, then Sports Direct.[7]
In October 2012, Sports Direct International acquired 20 formerJJB Sports stores and converted them into Sports Direct stores.[8]
In June 2015, Sports Direct appeared in an episode ofChannel 4'sDispatches where they investigated and went under-cover in the Sports Direct warehouse in Shirebrook as it was alleged it was like "sweatshop" and compared working conditions to thevictorian era.[9]
It was announced in 2018 thatGame concession stores would open in Sports Direct stores.[10]
In November 2019, Sports Direct International rebranded to Frasers Group as part of their "elevation" strategy asHouse of Fraser became their new flagship brand.[11]
In March 2020, Sports Direct announced they would remain open amid thecoronavirus lockdown in the UK. A day later, after receiving widespread criticism, the decision was reversed.[12][13]
In March 2021, Sports Direct underwent a rebrand aimed at "promoting inclusivity" and "enhancing customer experience". The rebrand, designed by the consultancyVenturethree, included a new logo and visual identity. The logo was redesigned to feature an 'equaliser' symbol, representing "inclusivity and equality".[14]
In February 2025, Sports Direct launched their own membership scheme as the "Sports Direct Membership" allowing customers to earn points and access a range of benefits from the scheme.[15]
Sports Direct has around 700 stores across the UK and several other European countries. The company expanded into the European Union in the mid-2000s, and by 2024, it had a presence in countries including France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. In Denmark, SportsMaster operates under the Sports World brand, which it acquired in 2022.[4][16]
Sports Direct continues to use its Sports World branding in some markets. As of 2024, there were approximately 170 Sports World stores operating within the European Union, primarily focusing on sporting goods and apparel. In Asia, Sports Direct expanded its operations into Malaysia, where it operates several stores under the SportsDirect and Sports World brands.[17][18]
In 2021, Sports Direct collaborated with the design agencyVenturethree to develop a new brand strategy and identity. The rebrand introduced a new logo featuring an equal sign, symbolising equality and inclusivity, and emphasised accessibility in sports.[14] As part of this strategy, the company refurbished several flagship stores. Its Oxford Street flagship store in London underwent a £10 million revamp, incorporating digital technologies such as interactive displays.[19]
The elevation strategy also involved expanding into "premium" and "lifestyle" segments. Sports Direct opened new flagship stores in Manchester and Cardiff, featuring areas for high-end brands and specialized sporting categories. For example, the Cardiff flagship introduced an "Outdoor Concept", with products tailored to outdoor enthusiasts.[20]
In 2021, Sports Direct's parent company, Frasers Group, began integrating Sports Direct stores with other brands under its portfolio, such as USC, GAME and Evans Cycles. This consolidation aimed to provide a "more comprehensive retail experience" and streamline operations.[21]
The elevation strategy has led to the closure of some smaller stores, particularly those under 20,000 square feet, to focus on larger flagship locations.[22]
In February 2025, parent companyFrasers Group announced a 10 year partnership with distributor GMG to open 50 Sports Direct stores in theMiddle East and North Africa.[23]
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Sports Direct served asNewcastle United's primary sponsor, with the company's branding featured on club shirts. On 10 November 2011, Newcastle United announced that their stadium would temporarily be renamed the "Sports Direct Arena". The decision to drop theSt James' Park name was made on the grounds that the original name was not deemed "commercially attractive". Previously, in 2009, the club had expressed intentions to sell the stadium naming rights. However, following protests, including an early-day motion in Parliament, the club clarified that the St James' Park name would not be entirely abandoned, and alternatives such as "Sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium" were considered.[24][25][26]
In 2012, the club entered into a sponsorship agreement with payday loan company Wonga.com, which included purchasing the stadium naming rights. This deal saw the return of the St James' Park name, which was restored as part of the agreement.[27]
Following the 2021 Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United, the new ownership, led byAmanda Staveley and her consortium, removed all Sports Direct branding from the stadium. The removal of the branding, which occurred on 6 December 2021, marked a break from the previous ownership's commercial ties.Mike Ashley, the former owner, subsequently filed legal action against Staveley and her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, after claiming they had breached an agreement to maintain the Sports Direct sponsorship until the end of the 2021–22 season.[28][29]
As of the 2024-25 season, the "Newcastle United" signage above the East Stand (which used the typeface used by Sports Direct) was restored to its original font.[30]
In December 2020, Sports Direct entered into a five-year sponsorship agreement withCork GAA, becoming the official sponsor of the men's senior hurling and football teams, as well as the U20 and minor teams in both codes. This partnership commenced in early 2021.[31]
In August 2021, Sports Direct became the official sponsor of theLadies Gaelic Football Association's 'Gaelic4Mothers&Others' programme.[32]
In December 2023, Sports Direct announced a two-year partnership withLouth GAA, becoming the official partner of the men's senior, U20, and U17 teams in both football and hurling.[33]
In 2023, Sports Direct became the title sponsor of theFootball Association of Ireland's (FAI) Men's and Women's FAI Cups.[34] In the same year it also entered a sponsorship agreement with the FAI to become the official retail partner for theRepublic of Ireland national football team.[35]
In 2023, the company entered into a three-year partnership with theNorthern Ireland Football League (NIFL), becoming the title sponsor of the Men's and Women's Premierships.[36]
In 2024, Sports Direct became title partner ofHyrox, a global fitness competition that combines running with functional fitness.[37]
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