Project marks first collegiate ground-up development for the experiential brand as national expansion continues

Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL), a leading leisure travel company, today announced the groundbreaking of a new Sports Illustrated Resorts destination in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, marking the brand's first ground-up development in a collegiate market.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260527477186/en/

Travel + Leisure Co., a leading leisure travel company, today announced the groundbreaking of a new Sports Illustrated Resorts destination in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, marking the brand's first ground-up development in a collegiate market.

Set along the Black Warrior River, the resort will introduce a mixed-use destination designed to serve fans and visitors year-round, bringing a game day–inspired experience beyond the stadium while supporting the continued growth of one of the country's most recognized college sports markets.

Located approximately one mile from University of Alabama, the planned resort will provide convenient access to campus, game days, and downtown Tuscaloosa. The development will bring together residential, hospitality, and social components in a destination designed to serve both visitors and the local community year-round.

"With one of the most iconic programs in college sports and a fan base that defines game day culture, Tuscaloosa is a natural fit for Sports Illustrated Resorts," said Geoff Richards, chief operating officer at Travel + Leisure Co. "This groundbreaking represents an important milestone as we expand into premier sports markets and create destinations where guests don't just watch sports — they're part of the experience."

The resort design will draw from the University of Alabama's athletic tradition, combining classic Southern architecture with sports-inspired design elements that reflect the region's identity and heritage.

Expected to open in 2028, the Tuscaloosa resort will feature a six-story tower with 75 whole-ownership condominiums and a six-story tower with 86 vacation ownership units, connected by a central lobby. Owners and guests will have access to an exclusive owner's lounge with stadium-style seating for immersive watch parties, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and elevated pool deck amenities.

The development will include dynamic retail and public-facing gathering spaces, including indoor/outdoor bars, a game lounge, and a coffee bar, creating a year-round destination where fans and visitors can gather. Plans also include a broadcast booth, as well as a rooftop terrace event space.

The project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs and long-term employment opportunities, supporting continued economic development in the Tuscaloosa area.

The Tuscaloosa development advances the expansion of Sports Illustrated Resorts, joining announced destinations in Baton Rouge, Nashville, and Chicago. Together, these projects reflect the brand's strategy to grow in high-demand sports and lifestyle markets while building a portfolio of immersive travel experiences rooted in sports, culture, and community.

Sports Illustrated Resorts is operated by Travel + Leisure Co. under a license from Authentic Brands Group.

To learn more about Sports Illustrated Resorts, visit www.sportsillustratedresorts.com.

Follow Sports Illustrated Resorts on Instagram.

About Travel + Leisure Co.

Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) is a leading leisure travel company, providing more than six million vacations to travelers around the world every year. The company operates a diverse portfolio of vacation ownership, travel club, and lifestyle travel brands designed to meet the needs of the modern leisure traveler, whether they're traversing the globe or enjoying destinations closer to home. This includes experiential brands such as Sports Illustrated Resorts, Eddie Bauer Adventure Club, Margaritaville Vacation Club, and Accor Vacation Club, as well as cornerstone brands, Club Wyndham, WorldMark, and RCI. With hospitality and responsible tourism at its heart, the company's more than 19,000 dedicated associates worldwide help fulfill its mission to put the world on vacation. Learn more at travelandleisureco.com.

About Sports Illustrated

For 70 years, Sports Illustrated (SI) has been recognized for shaping modern culture at the intersection of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. SI is a 360-degree platform that unites athletes, teams and fans worldwide through quality content, innovative digital experiences, unforgettable events, and original products. Its award-winning media arm brings powerful storytelling to life through probing profiles and up-to-date news on SI.com, across social media platforms, and through its renowned print magazine whose cover is widely regarded as the most coveted space in sports media. The most trusted name in sports transcends media through SI Tickets, a fan-first ticketing platform, Sports Illustrated Resorts, the ultimate destination for active lifestyles & sports enthusiasts, SI Studios, the brand's home for film, TV, and long form podcasts, and more. SI brings its unique perspective to marquee events and captivating brand activations including "SI The Party", Club SI, the Sportsperson of the Year Awards, SI Swimsuit Launch Weekend, and the SI Circuit Series.

For more information, visit SI.com.

Follow Sports Illustrated on X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260527477186/en/

Media Contact:

Melissa Landy

(407) 626-3830

Media@travelandleisure.com

Travel + Leisure Co. Breaks Ground on Sports Illustrated Resorts Destination in Tuscaloosa, Alabama