Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you’re staring at a half-empty gallon of milk or realizing you’re down to your last roll of Kirkland toilet paper, you're probably asking one thing: what time is Costco opening today?
The short answer for most of you? 10:00 AM. But there’s a massive catch that separates the early birds from the people stuck in the parking lot staring at locked glass doors. Honestly, if you have an Executive Membership, you’ve likely been sleeping on one of the best perks the warehouse offers. While the "official" opening time for the general public on Sundays is 10:00 AM, most locations actually swing the doors open at 9:00 AM for Executive Members.
The Sunday Morning Scramble
Sundays at Costco are basically a sport. If you show up at noon, you’re basically signing up for a 20-minute hunt for a parking spot and a checkout line that stretches back to the frozen rotisserie chickens.
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Because today is a Sunday, the standard operating window is shorter than during the week. Most warehouses wrap things up by 6:00 PM tonight. You've got a tighter window to get in, grab your bulk snacks, and get out before the pre-Monday blues set in.
Why 9 AM Matters Today
If you’re a Gold Star or Business member, you’re looking at a 10:00 AM start. But here’s the thing: in 2025 and heading into 2026, Costco leaning into the "Executive Hour" has changed the flow of the morning.
By the time the clock hits 10:00 AM, the Executive members have already picked over the best produce and cleared out the "While Supplies Last" treasures. If you’re planning to snag one of those seasonal items that everyone is talking about on TikTok, that extra hour is the difference between success and a sad, empty shelf.
Is Costco Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Since today is January 18, 2026, you might be wondering about the holiday tomorrow. Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Good news: Costco is open on MLK Day.
Unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter (when the warehouses are ghost towns), MLK Day is a standard business day for them. In fact, tomorrow they will likely revert to their weekday schedule, which usually means opening at 10:00 AM (or 9:00 AM for Executive) and staying open until 8:30 PM.
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A Breakdown of Today's Likely Schedule
Not every single Costco is a carbon copy of the next. Some regional variations exist, particularly in high-density areas like New York City or Los Angeles, but here is the standard "truth" for today:
- Executive Members: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Gold Star/Business Members: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Costco Gas Stations: Usually opens much earlier, often around 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM, and closes a bit after the warehouse (around 7:30 PM).
- Costco Pharmacy: Typically closed on Sundays or operates on very limited hours (check your local warehouse for this one, as it’s the most inconsistent department).
Don't Get Fooled by "Holiday Observed"
Since the federal holiday is tomorrow, some people assume today might have "holiday-adjacent" hours. Costco doesn't really play that game. They are remarkably consistent. If it’s a Sunday, they run Sunday hours.
The only real "danger zones" for closures are the big seven:
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Since today is just a regular Sunday in mid-January, it’s business as usual.
Pro-Tip for the Parking Lot
If you aren't an Executive member and you're planning to arrive for the 10:00 AM opening, arrive at 9:45 AM.
Why? Because many warehouse managers will actually "soft open" the doors 10 to 15 minutes early if the line outside is getting too long. It’s not a corporate rule, but it happens more often than you’d think. Getting that 15-minute head start means you can hit the samples before the crowd becomes a mosh pit.
Verify Your Specific Location
While 99% of U.S. warehouses follow the 10 AM (General) / 9 AM (Executive) Sunday rule, a quick check on the Costco App or the "Find a Warehouse" tool on their website is the only way to be 100% sure. Just type in your zip code, and it’ll give you the "Warehouse Hours" and "Gas Hours" specifically for today.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your card: If it’s black and gold, you’re Executive. Get there at 9:00 AM to beat the rush.
- Gas up first: Hit the pumps before the warehouse opens; the lines are significantly shorter at 8:30 AM than they are at 11:00 AM.
- Download the app: Use the warehouse locator to confirm if your specific location has any weird regional variances before you burn the gas to get there.