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Big 5 Sporting Goods

Best Credit Card for Big 5 Sporting Goods in 2026

big5sportinggoods.com
In-Store Sporting Goods
Updated April 04, 2026 · By Sudhir Bandla, Credit Card Data Analyst · Methodology
MCC Code
5941
Sporting Goods Stores
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer

Big 5 Sporting Goods is classified under MCC 5941 (Sporting Goods Stores). The best card for Big 5 Sporting Goods purchases is the Active Cash (no annual fee), earning 2x on sporting goods stores — an effective return of 2.00%.

Sporting goods stores like Big 5 are great for those who love to stay active. If you're into fitness or outdoor activities, cards that offer higher rewards in this category can really add up.

Pro Tip

Maximize your rewards by timing purchases with promotional periods when Big 5 offers extra discounts or bonus points for using certain credit cards.

Big 5 Sporting Goods purchases are classified under MCC 5941 (Sporting Goods Stores).

MCC Details for Big 5 Sporting Goods

MCC Code
5941
Category
Sporting Goods Stores
Industry Group
Sporting Goods
Purchase Type
Physical locations
What This Covers
Sporting goods stores

Best Credit Cards for Big 5 Sporting Goods (2026)

Note: These are general top-rated cards. Confirm bonus eligibility for MCC 5941 with your card issuer.
Top Pick
#1
Active Cash
Wells Fargo
2xSporting Goods
2.00%Effective Return
$0Annual Fee
Best no-fee option for Big 5 Sporting Goods — 2x on sporting goods, $0 annual cost.
Apply NowFull Review
#2
Signify Business Cash
Wells Fargo
2xSporting Goods
2.00%Effective Return
$0Annual Fee
Best no-fee option for Big 5 Sporting Goods — 2x on sporting goods, $0 annual cost.
Apply NowFull Review
#3
Freedom Unlimited
Chase
2xSporting Goods
1.50%Effective Return
$0Annual Fee
Best no-fee option for Big 5 Sporting Goods — 2x on sporting goods, $0 annual cost.
Apply NowFull Review
#4
Platinum (Schwab)
American Express
1xSporting Goods
1.00%Effective Return
$895Annual Fee
Earns 1x on sporting goods at Big 5 Sporting Goods ($895/yr).
Apply NowFull Review
#5
Platinum (Morgan Stanley)
American Express
1xSporting Goods
1.00%Effective Return
$895Annual Fee
Earns 1x on sporting goods at Big 5 Sporting Goods ($895/yr).
Apply NowFull Review

How Big 5 Sporting Goods Codes on Your Statement

When you pay at Big 5 Sporting Goods at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5941 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a sporting goods stores merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.

If your card earns bonus points on "sporting goods stores" purchases, Big 5 Sporting Goods transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Big 5 Sporting Goods specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.

You can verify the MCC on any Big 5 Sporting Goods transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 5941 qualifies for bonus rewards.

Bonus Category Match — Big 5 Sporting Goods

Card
Category
Bonus
Base
Fee
All Purchases
2x
1x
$0
All Purchases
2x
1x
$0
All Purchases
2x
1x
$0
All Purchases
1x
1x
$895/yr
All Purchases
1x
1x
$895/yr

About MCC 5941: Sporting Goods Stores

Merchant Category Code 5941 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Sporting Goods Stores industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5941, all qualifying card programs that include sporting goods stores as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.

The Sporting Goods industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.

Quick Answer: What MCC code does Big 5 Sporting Goods use? →

Other Sporting Goods Stores merchants: Academy Sports, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's.

What You Could Earn at Big 5 Sporting Goods

Spending $200/month at Big 5 Sporting Goods with the Active Cash (2x on sporting goods stores) earns approximately $48/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $24 more per year with no annual fee.

Prefer no annual fee? The Signify Business Cash earns 2x at Big 5 Sporting Goods merchants, earning $48/year with no annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What MCC code does Big 5 Sporting Goods use?
Big 5 Sporting Goods uses MCC 5941 (Sporting Goods Stores). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at Big 5 Sporting Goods.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at Big 5 Sporting Goods?
The Active Cash earns 2x on sporting goods stores purchases (MCC 5941), making it the highest-earning option at Big 5 Sporting Goods among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at Big 5 Sporting Goods?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on sporting goods stores purchases, Big 5 Sporting Goods transactions (MCC 5941) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is Big 5 Sporting Goods classified as sporting goods stores for credit card purposes?
Yes. Big 5 Sporting Goods is classified under MCC 5941, which falls in the Sporting Goods Stores category. This means cards with sporting goods stores bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at Big 5 Sporting Goods.
What is MCC 5941 and what merchants use it?
MCC 5941 stands for Sporting Goods Stores. It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in sporting goods stores. Besides Big 5 Sporting Goods, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the sporting_goods industry group.
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MCC data based on card network classification standards. Rankings verified monthly from official card issuer terms. Last verified: April 04, 2026. Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.