Play It Again Sports in Atlanta: Where to Buy, Sell, and Trade Used Sports Gear
If you play sports in Atlanta, Play It Again Sports can be a practical way to save money on equipment, clear out your garage, and keep gear in use instead of in a landfill. This guide walks you through how these stores work in the Atlanta area, what to expect when you buy or sell, and tips for getting the most value locally.
What Is Play It Again Sports?
Play It Again Sports is a chain of sporting goods stores that focuses on buying, selling, and trading used and new sports equipment.
In the Atlanta area, these stores typically:
- Buy gently used gear from individuals
- Resell used and new equipment at lower prices than many big-box retailers
- Offer cash or store credit when you bring in gear
For Atlanta residents, these shops can be especially helpful if:
- Your kids move quickly from youth leagues to high school sports
- You play seasonal sports (softball, soccer, basketball, flag football, hockey)
- You’re trying a new activity and don’t want to buy everything new right away
Where You’ll Find Play It Again Sports Around Atlanta
Store locations can change, but Atlanta-area shoppers often find Play It Again Sports in or near:
- Intown / ITP suburbs – locations in nearby metro areas often serve Atlanta neighborhoods like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Decatur, and East Atlanta
- North metro – convenient if you live in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, or Cumming
- West and South metro – often used by families from Smyrna, Marietta, Mableton, Douglasville, or down toward Fayette and Henry counties
Because specific store locations and hours can change, it’s wise to:
- Check the latest store list and hours on Play It Again Sports’ official website
- Call the nearest store before you drive over with a car full of gear
Most metro stores are in strip centers or shopping plazas with plenty of parking, which is helpful when you’re hauling bulky items like bikes, treadmills, or weight sets.
How Selling and Trading Works in Atlanta
What Condition Does Gear Need To Be In?
Atlanta stores generally look for equipment that is:
- Clean – no built-up dirt, mold, or heavy odors
- Safe and functional – no major cracks, broken straps, or missing parts
- Current enough – older items can be harder to resell, especially for tech-heavy gear like fitness trackers, high-end bikes, or hockey helmets
Most stores will inspect your items on the spot and decide whether they can buy them.
What You Can Usually Sell or Trade
Every store sets its own buying guidelines, but common items in Atlanta include:
Team sports gear
- Baseball and softball bats, gloves, helmets, catcher’s gear
- Soccer balls, shin guards, goals
- Football pads, helmets, practice jerseys
- Basketballs and training equipment
Individual and fitness gear
- Dumbbells, kettlebells, benches, racks
- Treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes (if in good working order)
- Yoga mats, resistance bands, balance boards
Seasonal Atlanta favorites
- Tennis rackets and pickleball paddles (very popular around Atlanta parks and tennis centers)
- Golf clubs, bags, and push carts
- Bikes for the BeltLine, Silver Comet, and neighborhood rides
Kids’ and youth equipment
- Cleats, bats, gloves, and youth-size pads
- Dance and gymnastics accessories (leotards are sometimes accepted if in excellent condition)
Items like old-style helmets, heavily worn cleats, and anything with clear safety issues are often declined.
Cash vs. Store Credit
Most Atlanta-area locations follow a similar approach:
- Cash – paid on the spot for accepted items
- Store credit – often a higher value than cash, useful if you plan to re-equip for another sport or the next size up
Example:
If your gear is worth $40 to the store, you might be offered something like:
- Around $X in cash
- A bit more than that in store credit
Exact numbers vary by store, item, demand, and condition, but this gives a sense of how they usually prioritize people who plan to keep shopping there.
What to Expect When Buying Used Gear in Atlanta
Typical Shopping Experience
Atlanta shoppers usually find:
- Mix of used and new items on the same racks
- Gear organized by sport or category
- Staff who are familiar with local leagues, school sports, and rec programs, which can help if you’re not sure what’s required
Many parents use Play It Again Sports to outfit kids playing in:
- Atlanta Parks and Recreation leagues
- Youth leagues in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties
- School teams at APS, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, and private schools
Pros and Cons of Buying Used in Atlanta
Benefits
- 💲 Lower cost for fast-growing kids and multi-sport families
- 🌱 More sustainable than buying new every season
- 🏃 Quick turnaround when you need a last-minute glove, bat, or pads
Potential trade-offs
- Limited sizes and styles on any given day
- Specific brands or the latest model gear may not always be available
- Cosmetic wear even when equipment is still functional
Popular Sports and Gear Needs in Atlanta
Atlanta’s mix of mild winters, hot summers, and active parks shapes which gear shows up most often.
Baseball and Softball
With strong youth baseball and softball scenes in Cobb, Gwinnett, and north Fulton, you’ll often find:
- Bats in multiple lengths and drop weights
- Fielding gloves and catcher’s gear
- Batting helmets and practice nets
Parents will sometimes bring in last season’s bat and glove when a child moves up a level and needs new sizes.
Soccer
Metro Atlanta’s youth and adult soccer leagues keep demand high for:
- Adult and youth cleats
- Shin guards
- Practice cones and goals
These are common “trade-up” items when kids outgrow their sizes.
Fitness and Home Gyms
With Atlanta’s mix of apartment living, suburban homes, and home gyms, Play It Again Sports often handles:
- Sets of dumbbells and plates
- Benches and squat racks
- Entry-level cardio machines
If you’re upgrading your home setup or downsizing before a move, a Play It Again Sports location can be one option for rehoming equipment.
Tips for Getting the Best Value at Play It Again Sports in Atlanta
Before You Bring Gear In
- Clean everything – wipe down surfaces, remove dirt and grass, and check pockets and compartments
- Group items – keep pairs together (cleats, skates), bundle sets (catcher’s gear, weight sets)
- Check for damage – fix minor issues if possible (replace missing laces, secure loose straps)
Well-presented items often sell faster in the store, which can support stronger offers.
When You’re in the Store
- 📝 Ask how they price items – staff can explain how condition, brand, and demand affect value
- 🔁 Consider store credit if you need gear for another sport or season
- 📅 Ask about timing – certain items may be in higher demand at specific times of year:
- Baseball/softball: late winter–spring
- Soccer and football: late summer–early fall
- Fitness gear: early in the year and before/after college move-in seasons
Safety and Fit
For gear that affects safety—especially helmets, pads, and skates—ask staff for help checking:
- Fit
- Straps and buckles
- Shells and padding condition
If you’re unsure about using any used protective equipment, it may be worth comparing with reputable new options and choosing what feels safest and most comfortable.
How Play It Again Sports Fits Into Atlanta’s Sports Ecosystem
For Atlanta residents, Play It Again Sports tends to work best as:
A budget-friendly option for:
- Youth sports gear that’s outgrown every year or two
- Trying new sports or fitness activities without a big upfront cost
A gear-recycling hub:
- Clearing out garages in Decatur, Smyrna, or Brookhaven
- Moving unused exercise machines from intown condos or suburban basements
Many Atlanta-area families use Play It Again Sports alongside:
- Local school and rec leagues
- Atlanta-area parks (Piedmont Park, Grant Park, Chastain, Brook Run, Blackburn Park, and others)
- Trails and paths like the Atlanta BeltLine and Silver Comet Trail
Practical Next Steps for Atlanta Shoppers
If you want to use Play It Again Sports in or near Atlanta:
Gather your gear
- Focus on clean, lightly used items still in safe working condition.
Call your nearest Atlanta-area store
- Ask what they’re currently buying
- Confirm hours and whether you need an appointment for large loads
Decide on cash vs. store credit
- Plan ahead: if you need new cleats, a bigger glove, or a different size bike, store credit may stretch further.
Visit with a list
- Especially for kids’ seasons, bring league equipment requirements so you leave fully prepared.
By understanding how Play It Again Sports operates in the Atlanta area, you can make smarter decisions about what to buy new, what to buy used, and how to get value back from the gear you no longer need.