KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville’s growth is no longer a secret — and developers are racing to keep up with it.

As East Tennessee continues attracting visitors for University of Tennessee game days, major Neyland Stadium concerts and Smoky Mountain tourism, experts said developers are zeroing in on downtown Knoxville, where at least four new hotels are now under construction.

“2026 is gonna be another record year for Knoxville, Tennessee,” Kim Bumpas with Visit Knoxville said, pointing to a steady stream of high-dollar travelers willing to pay premium hotel rates.

Knoxville’s downtown hotels have seen strong occupancy and rising average daily rates over the last several years. Those numbers, experts say, are exactly what developers look for when deciding where to invest.

"You're seeing jus

See Full Page