FLORIDA STATE - The "Great Retail Reset" has reached the Sunshine State. As of February 2026, GameStop is finalizing a major nationwide downsizing that includes the closure of 25 to 40 locations across Florida.
Following a year of aggressive cost-cutting and a persistent industry-wide shift toward digital downloads, the Texas-based gaming giant is shuttering underperforming storefronts from the Panhandle down to Miami. For many local communities, this marks the end of a multi-decade era of physical game trading and midnight launch parties.
The Florida Impact: Closures Across the State
While GameStop typically avoids releasing a master list of shuttered stores, recent reports and local liquidations have confirmed that major hubs in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville have been hit particularly hard.
Confirmed Florida Closures (Early 2026)
- Tampa Bay Area: * Tampa: Citrus Park Shopping Center (8502 Citrus Park Dr.)
- Clearwater: Clearwater Mall (2723 Gulf to Bay Blvd.)
- Port Richey: US Highway 19 N (8605 US Highway 19 N.)
- Central Florida: * Orlando: Lake Fredrica Shopping Center (3916 S. Semoran Blvd.)
- Sanford: Seminole Center (3715 S. Orlando Dr.)
- Ocoee: Ocoee Commons (10576 W. Colonial Dr.)
- Deland & Deltona: Locations at Gibbs Plaza and Shoppes of East Deltona.
- South Florida: * Miami: Aventura Mall (EB Games location)
- Sunrise: Sawgrass Mills Mall (12801 W. Sunrise Blvd.)
- Coral Springs: Maplewood Plaza (1158 N. University Dr.)
- Jacksonville & North Florida: * Jacksonville: Lem Turner Road (12001 Lem Turner Rd.)
- Palatka: Palatka Center (850 S. Moody Rd.)
- Pensacola: Creighton Commons (2620 Creighton Rd.)
Insider Tip: If you have active pre-orders at a closing location, they are generally transferred to the nearest surviving store. Check the GameStop app or visit your local manager immediately to confirm where your items will be held.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The 2026 closures are part of GameStop's "store portfolio optimization review." The company is facing a "perfect storm" of retail challenges:
- The Digital Dominance: More than 80% of new game sales are now digital, leaving physical retailers to rely heavily on hardware and collectibles.
- Foot Traffic Decline: Many of the closures were in aging strip malls or malls that have experienced a significant decline in foot traffic since 2024.
- Corporate Pivot: Under CEO Ryan Cohen, the company is aggressively trimming "fat" (unprofitable stores) to preserve cash and explore new revenue streams like Bitcoin investments and expanded trading card (Pokémon/Magic) marketplaces.
What This Means for Florida Gamers
The loss of these neighborhood stores is more than just a retail shift; it's a cultural one. For Florida residents, it means:
- Fewer Trade-In Options: With fewer stores, the convenience of trading in old games for store credit is diminishing.
- Longer Drives for Physical Media: Those who prefer physical discs for collection or preservation will now have to travel further to find a specialized retailer.
- Liquidation Bargains: Many closing stores are currently offering "Everything Must Go" discounts, with reports of 20% trade-in bonuses and steep markdowns on accessories as they clear the shelves.
