The fast-growing hospitality company has multiple airport openings on the calendar for 2026 as it widens its roster of athlete-led restaurants, bars, and retail spaces.
Athlete Playmakers Group is reshaping how travelers eat, drink, and shop inside the terminal. The company builds restaurant, bar, and retail concepts tied to professional athletes, and every space reflects the culture, energy, and identity of the city around it. That approach has put the brand on a fast growth track across the country.
In 2026, the company plans to open multiple new locations in major U.S. airports. The expansion follows a string of recent launches developed alongside iconic athletes, airport operators, and leading local collaborators. Every venue draws from the personal story, career, and tastes of the athlete behind it, which gives each location a sense of place rather than the feel of a standard concession stand.
“Today’s travelers expect more than convenience. They want experiences that are memorable, authentic, and exciting,” said Derek Missimo, Co-Founder of Athlete Playmakers Group. “We are creating hospitality concepts that capture the spirit of each city while delivering elevated food, beverage, and guest experiences that travelers genuinely connect with.”
A Fresh Take on Airport Dining
The company treats airport restaurants as places worth seeking out, not stops between gates. Storytelling drives every concept. Premium food and beverage programs sit alongside design details that point back to the athlete partner, and the result is a venue that feels like a true destination rather than an interchangeable concession space.
“We founded Athlete Playmakers Group on the belief that airport restaurants can become destinations in their own right,” added Simon Bozas, Co-Founder. “Every concept blends premium hospitality, compelling storytelling, and the influence of legendary athletes to create experiences that stand apart.”
A Growing Lineup of Athlete Partnerships
Athlete Playmakers Group launched its first venue at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Terminal C-37 with NBA legend “Dirk Nowitzki / Nowitzki.” The opening introduced the company’s model for athlete-driven airport hospitality and set the tone for the rollouts that followed.
The brand then moved into Dallas Love Field with Dallas Stars icon “Marty Turco / Turco35,” giving North Texas travelers a second athlete-led option from the same operator.
Earlier this year, the company opened “Simone Biles / Taste of Gold” at George Bush Intercontinental Airport alongside the seven-time Olympic gold medalist. The space honors the legacy, excellence, and global impact Biles has built as one of the most decorated athletes of all time.
Most recently, Athlete Playmakers Group unveiled a new restaurant concept at Norfolk International Airport with Pro Football Hall of Famer, Buffalo Bills legend, and NFL all-time sack leader “Bruce Smith / 200 Sack Club.” The venue is built around Smith’s football legacy and weaves his career into the design and identity of the space.
An Experienced Leadership Bench
The company runs on more than a century of combined experience in aviation and hospitality. Its executive roster includes Heather Peoples, Michael Uremovich, Ken Myers, Tom Fireoved, and Mark Brezinski. Together, the team has built a high-performance operating platform that has earned the trust of airport authorities, concession partners, and travelers across the country.
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, Athlete Playmakers Group plans to keep moving into major airport markets nationwide. The company also intends to pursue new hospitality, entertainment, and brand partnerships that broaden what travelers find inside the terminal. Each new opening continues the same playbook of pairing a recognizable athlete with a city-rooted concept, and the pipeline points to more growth in the months ahead.
