Located in the city of São Francisco de Paula, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, these two resorts will feature a total of 461 rooms, complete family-friendly leisure areas, a sports bar, and a full-size football pitch for fans to showcase their skills. This pioneering initiative requires an investment of approximately R$1 billion and is scheduled to begin construction in the next six months, with completion expected by 2027.
One of the key features of these projects is the active participation of the clubs in engaging with the guests. Gustavo Kinzel, partner and CEO of BR Resorts, emphasizes that they aim to provide experiences that will surprise even the most passionate fans. The resort complex will include family, premium, and suite apartments, with some units offering a terrace overlooking the football field. Additionally, there will be over 10 sports courts, including mini football pitches, beach football, tennis, and beach tennis, among others.
The resorts will also boast a wide range of amenities such as playgrounds, kids’ areas, restaurants, a fitness center, approximately 1,000 m2 of indoor and outdoor pools, wellness facilities, co-working spaces, game rooms, a club store, an event area for up to 300 people, a club museum, and an Instagrammable sports bar with a view of the field.
Alberto Guerra, president of Grêmio, stated that this groundbreaking project aligns with their efforts to strengthen the connection with their fan base. He believes that offering unique experiences like a themed resort confirms their commitment to innovative initiatives that enhance their brand recognition and generate new revenue streams for the club.
Alessandro Barcellos, president of Sport Club Internacional, emphasizes that this partnership will bring fans of the club even closer. He states that they are constantly striving to provide the best experiences for their supporters and to allow them to engage with the Inter in a way that goes beyond the football pitch. He believes that this resort will become a vacation home for Internacional fans.
Combining football and tourism is expected to be a lucrative business for the clubs involved. Both resorts will sell apartments under a fractional ownership model, allowing owners to use the property for a certain number of weeks per year and even rent them out through the resort’s hospitality system. Additionally, owners will have the option to exchange their weeks for stays in over 4,300 hotels worldwide through RCI – Resorts Condominiums International, the partner of these resort projects.
Plinio Ghisleni, a partner at Laghetto Hotels, highlights the licensing agreement with the clubs, which includes participation in real estate sales, operations, and services. He claims that this will be one of the largest licensing agreements with football clubs worldwide. The resorts will bear the Laghetto Sports Resort brand, which is a part of the Laghetto Hotels network that currently operates 23 hotels and resorts across Brazil.
This ambitious project is not only an opportunity to provide memorable experiences for football fans but also a significant boost for the economy, generating jobs and opportunities for the region and the entire country. Fabiana Leite, RCI’s Director of Business Development for South America, expresses her commitment to this exciting venture that promises to offer travelers a new era of thrilling possibilities.
The combination of football and tourism has always been popular, with fans traveling across the world to support their teams. With the introduction of these themed resorts, Brazilian football fans will have the chance to immerse themselves in their club’s history and be closer to their idols. The Laghetto Sports Resort in São Francisco de Paula is pioneering a new era in the industry, raising the standard for football-themed hospitality. As construction begins in the coming months, football enthusiasts eagerly await the opening of these unique resorts in 2027.
