Hotels Biju John | October 06, 2026

Travel + Leisure Co. Partners with Wyndham to Develop Hotels Under the Sports Illustrated Resorts Brand

Travel + Leisure Co. is advancing the next phase of Sports Illustrated Resorts through an expanded partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts that establishes the framework to build, operate and scale hotels under Sports Illustrated Resorts as a complementary, yet differentiated, hospitality and mixed-use development platform.

Partnership Framework
- Travel + Leisure Co. + Wyndham Hotels & Resorts are teaming up to develop, operate, and scale hotels under the Sports Illustrated Resorts brand.
- Wyndham brings global scale, distribution, and development infrastructure, while Travel + Leisure contributes brand stewardship and mixed-use expertise.
- Developers can choose hotel-only projects or larger mixed-use destinations combining vacation ownership, residential, and resort experiences.

Sports Illustrated Resorts Concept
- First introduced in 2023, designed around sports, culture, and entertainment.
- Offers hospitality, vacation ownership, and residential options in sports-focused destinations.
- Anchored in immersive experiences, distinctive programming, and sports-centric events.

Current & Upcoming Destinations
- Nashville: First fully branded resort, 185 suites, sports-inspired amenities on Music Row.
- Chicago: Operating in “preseason era,” full launch expected early 2027.
- Baton Rouge: First resort with hotel component, phased opening in 2027.
- Tuscaloosa: First ground-up resort, opening in 2028.

Strategic Impact
- Builds on Travel + Leisure’s long-standing relationship with Wyndham (Club Wyndham, Margaritaville Vacation Club, Eddie Bauer Adventure Club).
- Taps into Wyndham Rewards’ 126M+ members, creating strong loyalty and demand.
- Positions Sports Illustrated Resorts as a high-yield sports tourism platform in college towns and major urban markets.

This move is significant because it transforms Sports Illustrated’s cultural legacy into a hospitality brand, blending sports tourism with lifestyle-driven travel.