Youth sports tourism drives demand for highway-access hotels in Illinois

Youth sports travel is fueling billions in economic activity and reshaping hotel demand around tournaments. A Mettawa, Illinois, Residence Inn is positioning itself for family teams that need quick highway access, breakfast, kitchens and room to recover between games.

Why it matters: - Youth sports tourism has become a major economic engine, with family travel tied to weekend tournaments, hotel stays and restaurant spending. - Hotels near tournament hubs are adapting to serve parents and athletes who need early starts, flexible meals and space to rest between games. - Illinois is one of the states capturing a large share of that spending because of its central location and concentration of athletic facilities.

What happened: - A 2026 report commissioned by the Sports Events and Tourism Association said sports-related travel generated $111.2 billion in direct economic impact in the United States in 2025. - The same report said sports travel accounted for 124.3 million hotel room nights as teams moved across the country for regional and national events. - Data from the Aspen Institute shows the average American family now spends more than $1,000 annually on one child's primary sport. - Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa is marketing its location and amenities to families traveling for youth sports tournaments in Lake County, Illinois.

The details: - The hotel sits directly off Interstate 94, giving visiting families quick access to regional athletic venues, including the Libertyville SportsComplex. - The property offers complimentary daily breakfast for early tournament schedules. - Guest suites include full kitchens, giving parents a place to prepare meals and store team snacks. - The hotel is positioned as a quiet place for families to wait out schedule delays away from crowded athletic centers. - The property is a five-story hotel with 130 guest suites. - Room types include studio units at 468 square feet, one-bedroom suites at 494 square feet and two-bedroom suites at 734 square feet. - Each suite has a full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, microwave and dishwasher. - Guest rooms include 32-inch flat-screen televisions with premium cable programming. - The hotel has 950 square feet of meeting and event space. - The Riverwoods Meeting Room is 650 square feet and holds up to 30 people. - The North Shore Board Room adds another 300 square feet of event space. - Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with Matrix equipment, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor sports court and a patio with barbecue grills. - The hotel is located at 26325 N Riverwoods Boulevard in Mettawa, Illinois.

Between the lines: - L.E.K. Consulting found that youth sports have evolved into a year-round marketplace, making travel logistics more complex for parents. - Families are prioritizing properties with fast highway access, early meals and functional spaces for snacks and rest because tournament schedules often start early and run late. - The shift favors hotels that can reduce friction for traveling families instead of offering only standard overnight lodging.

What's next: - Weekend tournament traffic in northern Illinois is likely to keep supporting demand for hotels near major athletic complexes. - Lodging operators that offer kitchens, breakfast and easy highway access may continue to win family sports travel business. - As youth sports remain a year-round activity, travel-focused amenities are likely to matter more in hotel selection.

The bottom line: - Youth sports tourism is no longer a niche travel segment; it is a multi-billion-dollar demand driver shaping where families stay and how hotels are designed. More information