You’re in the car. You just realized you’re out of those giant bags of frozen chicken wings or, worse, the good toilet paper. It’s late. You’re wondering if you can make it before the doors lock.
Honestly, the answer used to be a lot more complicated. For years, Sam’s Club had this staggered schedule that felt like you needed a decoder ring to understand. Sundays were especially weird, closing early and leaving everyone scrambling. But things changed late last year, and if you haven’t been paying attention to the 2026 updates, you might be sitting in the parking lot staring at a closed sign for no reason.
Basically, the "old" Sam's hours are dead. Here is the reality of the situation right now.
When Do Sam's Close on a Normal Day?
Most people still think Sam's Club shuts down at 6:00 PM on Sundays. That’s wrong. As of the massive rollout that started in October 2025 and carried into this year, the company unified its hours.
For the vast majority of locations, Sam’s Club closes at 8:00 PM every single day of the week. Whether it is a Tuesday or a Sunday, 8:00 PM is the magic number. This was a huge shift, specifically for Sunday shoppers who used to get kicked out in the late afternoon. They finally matched the schedule of their biggest rival (you know the one, starts with a C), making it way easier to plan a weekend grocery haul.
However, the "close" time isn't the whole story. If you show up at 7:55 PM, you’re going to get the side-eye from the employees who are already pulling the gate down.
The Membership Tier Trap
Just because the doors are open doesn't mean you can get in. This is where people get tripped up.
If you are a Club Member (the standard $50/year tier), your shopping window is strictly 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Don't try to show up at 8:30 AM thinking you'll beat the rush. You won't. You’ll be standing outside while the Plus Members ($110/year) breeze past you. Plus Members get that "Early Shopping" perk starting at 8:00 AM.
Interestingly, while Plus members get in early, they don't get to stay late. Everyone—Plus and Standard—has to be out by 8:00 PM.
Holiday Closures: The 2026 Red Zones
Sam’s Club is surprisingly consistent with when they lock the doors for holidays. They aren't like some 24-hour drugstores that stay open through a blizzard on Christmas. They shut down completely for the big ones.
If you're planning a party in 2026, mark these dates because the clubs will be 100% closed:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026)
- Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026)
- Christmas Day (December 25, 2026)
What about the "minor" holidays? This is where they actually extended the hours recently. For Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, most clubs used to close at 6:00 PM. Not anymore. In 2026, expect them to stay open until the standard 8:00 PM on those holidays.
📖 Related: Why the History of Nottingham Plantation in White Castle LA is So Hard to Track Down
The only real "early bird" closing you need to worry about is Christmas Eve. On December 24th, they almost always pull the plug at 6:00 PM. If you’re trying to buy a last-minute rotisserie chicken for Christmas dinner at 6:15 PM, you’re out of luck.
The "Store Within a Store" Problem
One thing that drives me crazy is when the warehouse is open, but the service I need is closed. This happens a lot with the specialty counters. Just because the main doors are open until 8:00 PM doesn't mean the Pharmacy or the Tire Center is waiting for you.
The Pharmacy usually has the most restrictive hours. In most locations, they close at 7:00 PM on weekdays and even earlier on Saturdays (usually around 6:00 PM). Most are closed entirely on Sundays. If you’re swinging by at 7:45 PM to grab a prescription, you’re going to find a shuttered window even if the rest of the store is buzzing.
The Tire and Battery Center usually follows a similar pattern, often closing by 7:00 PM. If you have a flat at dinner time, you might be able to drop the car off, but don't expect them to finish the work that night.
👉 See also: When is the last day to file taxes in 2026? What you need to know now
The Fuel Station is the lone wolf here. They open way earlier and stay open later than the club. Most Sam's gas stations are pumping from 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM. It’s one of the few things you can actually do at Sam's after the main warehouse closes its doors.
Is It Ever Different?
Look, I’m giving you the "most locations" version. But there are always those weird outliers. Some clubs in high-density areas like New Jersey or parts of California might have local ordinances that mess with these times.
Also, some rural clubs might still be testing slightly different hours. The best way to be 100% sure—besides checking the app—is to look at the "Club Finder" on their website. It’s the only source of truth that accounts for local management decisions.
How to Beat the 8:00 PM Rush
If you find yourself racing the clock, use Scan & Go. It’s the single best feature they have. You scan your items as you put them in the cart using the app. When you're done, you pay on your phone and just walk to the exit.
The "When do Sam's close" question becomes a lot less stressful when you don't have to wait in a 15-minute checkout line at 7:50 PM. You just show the exit worker your QR code and you're gone.
Your 2026 Action Plan:
- Check your membership level: If you're a Plus member, use that 8:00 AM hour. It is significantly quieter and the produce is fresher.
- Verify the specialty hours: If you need tires or meds, do not wait until 7:00 PM.
- Update your mental clock: Stop thinking Sundays close at 6:00 PM. You have until 8:00 PM now.
- Download the app: Use it to check specific holiday hours for your local zip code about 48 hours before the holiday hits.