Tulum, Quintana Roo – Fantasy football players will have a chance to trade their usual draft-night setup for a beachfront gathering in Tulum when La Zebra hosts a new destination event led by former NFL head coach Rex Ryan.
The Draft at La Zebra is planned as a four-day fantasy football getaway beginning Thursday, August 27, bringing league members together to select their teams while enjoying the hotel’s beachfront facilities and other activities in the Riviera Maya.
Ryan, who coached the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014 and the Buffalo Bills during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, will host the event and share his perspective on players, strategy and the approaching NFL season. He led the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship games during his first two seasons in New York and has worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN since 2017. ESPN currently lists him among its football analysts.
“The Draft at La Zebra is about more than just picking a roster. It’s about the camaraderie of the league,” said Paul Cohen, CEO of Colibri Boutique Hotels, which operates La Zebra. “By bringing your draft to Tulum, you’re turning a standard meeting into a legendary getaway.”
The program is designed for established fantasy leagues whose members typically gather once a year to draft players before the NFL regular season begins. Instead of meeting in someone’s living room or joining remotely, participants will be able to hold their draft at the hotel and build a vacation around it.
La Zebra plans to use its beachfront sports bar as the main gathering place for draft sessions, game viewing and post-draft celebrations. Participants will also have access to the hotel’s beach club, spa and wellness activities.
Golf can be added to the itinerary through nearby PGA Riviera Maya, the 18-hole course at Tulum Country Club. The Robert Trent Jones II-designed course winds through jungle terrain, natural lakes and cenotes north of Tulum.
Accommodation choices at La Zebra range from garden and jungle rooms to sea-view rooms, beachfront rooms and larger beachside suites. Draft packages, prices and the full schedule have not yet been released.
Quintana Roo Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra said the event reflects the state’s efforts to attract specialized travel experiences that combine entertainment with the Mexican Caribbean’s established tourism offerings.
The announcement identifies the gathering as a four-day event running from Thursday through Sunday. In 2026, those dates correspond to August 27 through August 30, although the original release also references August 31. Guests should confirm the departure date when making reservations.
Additional details and booking information will be posted on the La Zebra sports events page.
