26 April 2007

SPORTS DIRECT INTERNATIONAL PLC

PRE CLOSE STATEMENT

Pre Close Statement

Sports Direct International plc, the UK's leading sports retailer, today provides an update on current trading in advance of its year end on Sunday 29th April, and sets out its expected calendar for future announcements.

The Board of Sports Direct International believes that Group pre-exceptional EBITDA, its key performance measure, for the 52 week period ending on 29th April, will be broadly in line with latest market expectations.

As anticipated in the prospectus published in advance of the Company's listing on the London Stock Exchange on 2nd March, pricing in the UK sports retail sector and in the Company's main UK retail business has stabilised, and increased in some areas, in line with management's expectations.

Sales growth in the main UK retail business is slower than earlier in the year, but remains positive, and overheads continue to benefit from the move to the Shirebrook Distribution Centre.

Financial Announcement Calendar

The expected calendar for future financial announcements is as follows:

Preliminary Results Announcement

2006-07: 24th July, 2007

Annual General Meeting and Interim

Management Statement:10th September, 2007:

Half Year Results 2007-08: 19th December, 2007

Christmas Trading and Interim

Management Statement:wc 21st January, 2008

Pre Close statement:wc 21st April, 2008

The Board of Sports Direct International expects to be able to announce the appointment of IR and PR advisors in May 2007.

Notes to Editors

1. Sports Direct International is the UK's leading sports retailer by revenue and operating profit.

2. Sports Direct International's main UK retail business comprises all its UK retail businesses other than Original Shoe Company, Streetwise and on line trading.



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