Quick Answer
Yes, Sam's Club is open on Memorial Day 2026 (Monday, May 26). Every U.S. warehouse runs on a modified holiday schedule, with all member tiers needing to be out by 6:00 PM.
Plus members can shop from 8:00 AM, Club members from 10:00 AM. Fuel centers stay open with shortened hours, but in-store pharmacies and optical departments are closed for the day.
This is the opposite of warehouse competitor Costco, which closes every U.S. location for the holiday, including its gas stations.
Official Memorial Day Hours by Membership Tier
Sam's Club uses a tiered access model that already gives Plus members an earlier weekday opening time, and that structure carries over to the holiday schedule.
Plus Member Hours
Plus members can enter at 8:00 AM, two hours before the general membership floor opens. The window closes at 6:00 PM, two hours earlier than the typical 8:00 PM weekday close.
Club Member Hours
Club members are admitted starting at 10:00 AM and need to wrap up shopping by 6:00 PM. That gives roughly an eight-hour service window for general membership.
At-a-Glance Schedule
| Membership Tier | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus Members | 8:00 AM | 6:00 PM | Early access window maintained |
| Club Members | 10:00 AM | 6:00 PM | Closes two hours earlier than usual |
I always recommend confirming the exact hours for your local warehouse using the Sam's Club store locator, because a handful of locations in dense urban markets keep slightly different schedules.
What About the Fuel Centers
Sam's Club fuel centers are one of the biggest perks of the holiday weekend, especially with Costco gas stations closed. Pumps typically open around 6:00 AM and stay live until 6:00 to 7:00 PM, depending on the location.
Because Costco shuts its pumps entirely, expect Sam's Club fuel center lines to be longer than a standard Monday. The smartest move is to fill up before noon, or after the early Memorial Day cookout rush dies down around 4:00 PM.
Departments That Are Closed
Pharmacy
Sam's Club pharmacies are closed on Memorial Day across the country. If you need a refill picked up over the long weekend, plan on Saturday or Sunday, or use the mail-order option through the Sam's Club Pharmacy app.
Optical Center
Optical departments are closed. Glasses pickups, contact lens fittings, and eye exams resume on Tuesday morning.
Cafe and Fresh Counters
The Sam's Club Cafe typically stops accepting orders 15 to 30 minutes before the building closes. Fresh service counters, including the butcher block and bakery, run on shortened hours and may run out of made-to-order items by mid-afternoon.
Memorial Day Sales Worth Watching
The Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest promotional cycles at Sam's Club outside of Black Friday and the July 4th sale. The categories I watch most closely:
- Grilling and BBQ: Prime beef patties, marinated chicken skewers, USDA Choice ribeye and brisket, plus bulk lump charcoal and propane.
- Outdoor furniture: Lounge sets, fire tables, pop-up canopies, hard-shell coolers, and inflatable pools.
- Major appliances: Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers, often with free delivery, installation, and haul-away for Plus members.
- TVs and tech: 65-inch and 75-inch QLED and Mini-LED panels typically see member-only price drops.
- Tires: The Sam's Club Tire Center frequently runs a buy-three-get-one promo around Memorial Day, though the install center itself operates on the shortened holiday window.
How to Skip the Memorial Day Crowds
Memorial Day is one of the top five busiest single-day shopping windows of the year for warehouse clubs. A few habits I lean on to keep the trip short:
Use Scan and Go in the App
Scan and Go lets you scan barcodes with your phone as you shop, pay through the Sam's Club app, and walk past the checkout lines entirely. The greeter at the door verifies the digital receipt and you are out. On a holiday, this can save 20 to 40 minutes.
Shop the 8 to 10 AM Plus Window
If you are a Plus member, the two-hour early window is the single best time to shop a holiday. Aisles are clear, the meat counter is fully stocked, and curbside loaders are not yet backed up.
Order Curbside for Pre-Made BBQ Bundles
Sam's Club Curbside Pickup is free for Plus members. Pre-ordering the grilling bundle, drinks, paper goods, and ice for a 9:00 AM pickup eliminates the in-store run entirely.
Sam's Club vs. Costco on Memorial Day
The single biggest practical difference between the two warehouse giants on Memorial Day is access. Costco closes 100 percent of its U.S. warehouses and every Costco gas station. Sam's Club stays open with a modified close.
For households that hold both memberships, the choice is essentially made for you: the Memorial Day run goes to Sam's Club. The same logic applies for last-minute grilling needs or a tank of gas before a long-weekend drive.
The Bottom Line
Sam's Club is open on Memorial Day 2026 with a 6:00 PM close. Plus members start at 8:00 AM, Club members at 10:00 AM. Fuel centers run shortened hours, while pharmacies and optical centers are closed. Lean on Scan and Go or Curbside Pickup to beat the holiday traffic, and remember to confirm hours with the store locator before driving over.
