Travel + Leisure Co. Kicks Off Soccer-Themed Fan Events at Select Resorts

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 11, 2026--

Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL), a leading leisure travel company, today announced Countdown to Kickoff, a series of soccer-themed celebrations and fan experiences taking place at select resorts across its vacation club portfolio. Tapping into the buzz surrounding the world’s biggest soccer tournament, the events will bring owners and guests together for destination highlights, fan moments, and on-property activities inspired by the global games.

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Travel + Leisure Co. announced Countdown to Kickoff, a series of soccer-themed celebrations and fan experiences taking place at select resorts across its vacation club portfolio. Designed to celebrate the global spirit of the game, the activation reflects the company’s broader focus on experiential travel, bringing travelers together through shared passions for culture, entertainment, and community.

With the tournament’s first whistle sounding today, Travel + Leisure Co. is inviting vacation club owners and guests to join in the excitement through its Countdown to Kickoff special event series. Designed to celebrate the global spirit of the game, the activation reflects the company’s broader focus on experiential travel, bringing travelers together through shared passions for culture, entertainment, and community.

“We've caught the soccer fever,” said Kevin Maciulewicz, Senior Vice President of Resort Operations at Travel + Leisure Co. “We wanted to create a way for owners and guests to celebrate the energy surrounding the global tournament together. By hosting these events ahead of some of the biggest matchups, we're bringing fans together to build anticipation, share in the excitement, and create memorable moments while on vacation.”

The Countdown to Kickoff celebrations will take place at four resorts in North America:

Each event will feature themed activities, shareable photo moments, and soccer-inspired programming designed to capture the momentum of the global game while showcasing the unique character of each resort location. Vacation club owners and guests will also have access to custom neighborhood guides curated by resort general managers, highlighting local restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems in each destination.

“With more than 280 resorts across our portfolio, we have a unique opportunity to create experiences that extend beyond the resort stay,” added Maciulewicz. “These celebrations bring owners and guests together around a shared passion while creating a sense of community that makes travel even more meaningful.”

Follow along on Instagram for Countdown to Kickoff event highlights, fan moments, and behind-the-scenes content through the Club Wyndam ( @ClubWyndham ), WorldMark (@WorldMarkbyWyndham ), and Margaritaville Vacation Club ( @MargaritavilleVC ) channels.

For more information about Travel + Leisure Co. and its vacation club brands, please visit travelandleisureco.com.

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.

Travel + Leisure Co. announced Countdown to Kickoff, a series of soccer-themed celebrations and fan experiences taking place at select resorts across its vacation club portfolio. WorldMark The Camlin in Seattle will host a June 18 fan celebration ahead of the United States versus Australia match.

Travel + Leisure Co. announced Countdown to Kickoff, a series of soccer-themed celebrations and fan experiences taking place at select resorts across its vacation club portfolio. Designed to celebrate the global spirit of the game, the activation reflects the company’s broader focus on experiential travel, bringing travelers together through shared passions for culture, entertainment, and community.

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, on Thursday said he has “mixed feelings” about the government's revision to the Imperial House Law that reinforces a rule dictating only men can become emperor.

“I believe there is no difference between men and women” in serving the roles of the imperial family to respond to social needs, Akishino said at a news conference ahead of a trip to Paraguay later this month to mark the 90th anniversary of Japanese emigration to the South American country.

The comments by Akishino, the next in line for the throne, come just weeks after a historic revision to the Imperial House Law by the conservative government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that insists only paternal-lineage men can become emperor.

The law has been criticized as anachronistic and sexist, and the revision sparked outrage and concern that the measure could doom the already shrinking imperial family.

Critics say the government’s insistence on the male-only succession imposes an inhumane system on the royals without taking into consideration their perspective.

As an imperial family member who is not supposed to make political statements, Akishino was nuanced in his comments.

“I have mixed feelings about it, and it's rather strange if I don't,” Akishino said when asked about the government’s decision. He added that it “is a difficult question, and the reality is that I can't talk about it.”

“Society needs to keep making progress, and I believe it is important for people with different views to keep thinking what's best,” Akishino said.

Naruhito’s 24-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, is hugely popular and many Japanese want her to be his successor, but as a woman she is ineligible. The male-only succession rule means the throne must go to Akishino, then to his 19-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito. Next in line after him is the emperor’s 90-year-old uncle.

The revisions by Takaichi's government to the antiquated law is meant to solidify the principle of the imperial bloodline, but pushes aside the emperor’s daughter.

The revision allows princesses to keep their status and perform royal duties if they marry a commoner, but their husbands and children will remain non-royals.

A more controversial change allows unmarried male descendants aged 15 or older of very distant imperial male relatives to be adopted into the immediate royal family to father heirs. Only those of paternal lineage can be chosen for adoption.

The revisions have led to protests from Japanese who see the government efforts as an attempt to eliminate Princess Aiko from ruling and justify discrimination against women and a patriarchal system.

Akishino's popular younger daughter, Princess Kako, has taken on official duties in recent years, including overseas trips. His elder daughter, former Princess Mako, renounced her royal status in 2021 when she married her college boyfriend and moved to the U.S. where he now is a lawyer. Under the revised law, Kako gets to choose whether to keep her status if she marries, though her intention is unknown.

Akishino said he hopes Kako and his son Hisahito cherish each official duty when they serve their roles. “As a parent ... I just hope they will find their way to happiness.”

There have been eight female monarchs in Japan. The last was Empress Gosakuramachi, who ruled from 1762 to 1770.

The paternal-line male succession was stipulated for the first time in the 1890 Imperial House Law, when Japan promoted patriarchal systems. That law was largely carried over to the current 1947 version.

There is also worry that the government’s push will upset the legacy of former Emperor Akihito, including making amends for the victims of World War II, which was fought in his father’s name.

Akihito, who abdicated in 2019, tried to bring what was seen as an aloof monarchy closer to the people, an example followed by his son, Naruhito, and his family.

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino attends a news conference in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of his visit to Paraguay. (Japan Pool/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attend a news conference in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of their visit to Paraguay. (Japan Pool/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attend a news conference in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of their visit to Paraguay. (Japan Pool/Kyodo News via AP)