Gaylord Opryland Adds 108,000 Square Feet of Meeting Space In Nashville

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center checks in with a $131 million expansion that will add approximately 108,000 square feet of meeting space in Nashville.
As Music City’s reputation as meeting city continues to rise, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. announced the expansion which is expected to be complete by Spring 2027. The project includes a new 31,000-square-foot ballroom, 38,000 square feet of breakout space and 39,000 square feet of pre-function space. Once complete, the project will bring Gaylord Opryland’s total exhibit and meeting space to approximately 756,000 square feet – making it the largest non-gaming in-hotel exhibit space in the country.
“In recent years, Nashville’s popularity as a top meetings destination has skyrocketed, and we anticipate annual visitors and spending to continue this upward trajectory,” said Mark Fioravanti, president and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties in a release. “Our premium group customers are seeking modern, flexible carpeted meeting space and this expansion will deliver the high-quality experience our guests have come to expect from us. In addition, we believe this expansion will attract new corporate groups to Music City.”
Gaylord Opryland has 2,800 guest rooms and is located 10 miles from the city center. The Music City Center is located downtown and is the largest convention space in Nashville with a total of 2.1 million square feet, including 1.2 million in public space and 350,000 in exhibit space.
The meeting space expansion is the latest announcement in a multi-phase capital improvement plan at Gaylord Opryland. Other previously announced projects include a $17 million transformation of the Governor’s ballroom and pre-function space, expected to be finished by the end of January; and a $36 million renovation of the Presidential ballroom and pre-function space, which is currently underway and expected to be completed by mid-year.
Construction on a new $40 million 550-seat sports bar, 6,200 square-foot event lawn and 3,000-square-foot pavilion began last summer and is expected to be completed in late 2025. It’s being built on the site of a former interior courtyard.
The company expects to fund the Gaylord Opryland expansion, as well as other previously announced projects through cash on hand and availability under its revolving credit facility, according to a spokesperson.
“These projects leverage our deep customer relationships, strong partnership with our hotel operator and key learnings from similar recently completed projects across our portfolio, transforming previously underutilized areas on our Opryland campus into valuable space for our customers to enjoy,” added Fioravanti.
Ryman Hospitality Properties’ holdings include Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida; Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas; Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland; and Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. The company also holds a 70 percent controlling ownerships interest in Opry Entertainment Group, which includes Nashville entertainment institutions the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium as well as ACL Live at the Moody Theatre in Austin, Texas.

