GameStop starting in 2026 by closing hundreds of stores permanently. The sudden move has come as a surprise to many GameStop customers and employees, who are now voicing their frustration and confusion online.
GameStop's finances and success in recent years have seen significant changes with ups and downs. The company has repeatedly tried to turn around and improve its circumstances, bringing in new board members, focusing on non-video game products such as Pokemon TCG cards and various collectibles and so on. The company has also closed a number of locations in the past, but now more are joining the list in 2026.
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GameStop closes around 300 stores
Now, GameStop has revealed to employees and customers that many of its locations are closing. The news appears to have come without warning to many of its employees, with some claiming they learned their workplace would be shutting down the same way customers did: through a sign taped to the front door. Some of the GameStops have already closed, but closures are expected to continue through January 14. The aforementioned sign tells customers where their nearest GameStop location is, with a 20% trade-in bonus on games and accessories for the rest of the month at the alternate store location. Those who pre-ordered products through GameStop locations that are closed or closed can usually pick them up at their nearest GameStop, though buyers will want to check with their individual stores to confirm. This follows GameStop store closures in 2025 and years prior.
Lots of people have come out of the woods to reject the store closures. Many have criticized the way the announcement was handled, with some complaining about the lack of advance notice, while others are more upset at the idea of putting a coupon on a store closing sign while employees struggle with losing their jobs. Some have also been outraged by this change because the current CEO of GameStop, Ryan Cohen, could potentially earn a pay package worth $35 billion in stock options.
GameStop location closures
According to a community-driven page detailing the GameStop closures, 296 locations are confirmed to be closing, with another 58 unconfirmed at this time.
Game stores continue to disappear
Another common perception among those commenting on this development is that they now completely lack nearby gaming stores. The second closest GameStop listed for some locations is more than half an hour away, which is not feasible for some fans, especially when the convenience of digital video game distribution and online purchases is at a gamer's fingertips. GameStop is likely primarily closing stores that were underperforming or costing too much money to run due to issues like high rent, but as more gamers find themselves in video game store deserts, the trend toward buying physical games — especially at brick-and-mortar locations — may continue to decline.
For many, buying games in stores is a time-honored tradition and something they have fond memories associated with. Many gamers have found games they might not have discovered if they hadn't seen it on a random store shelf, for example, while others fondly think back to lining up in the middle of the night to grab a new console or game at midnight. Of course, buying games in physical stores also has its disadvantages, such as not finding what you are looking for, or having to stand in long queues to complete a purchase. There are pros and cons to both sides, but without gaming stores, players lose the ability to make that choice themselves.
- Date founded
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January 1, 1984
- Head office
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Grapevine, Texas, USA
