It’s that magical time of year again: The air is (slightly) less humid, the smell of charcoal grills and broken dreams fills the Saturday sky, and if you close your eyes and listen hard enough…you can almost hear Lee Corso mumbling, “Not so fast, my friend,” as he puts a giant duck head on his body.
Yes, college football season is back, and for short-term rental investors, that means one thing: Game day bookings.
There is no substitute for the energy of a college town on a football weekend. We’re talking fully packed rentals, premium weekend rates, and guests who want to leave your place during the day so they can scream at 19-year-olds in shoulder pads.
But which towns give you the best chance to cash in?
We ranked the top 10 short-term rental markets for college football fans and investors using a mashup of Rabbu, Mashvisor, Airbtics, and PriceLabs data. Each platform has its quirks, so instead of playing favorites, we averaged them to smooth out the noise. Since Airbtics does not factor in cleaning fees, we bumped their revenue projections by 20% to keep things apples-to-apples. Your market’s cleaning fee may be higher or lower, so adjust accordingly.
We then layered in STR yield potential (annual revenue divided by median home price), and because we are not soulless spreadsheets, football program strength. The result is a list that runs from the SEC juggernauts you would expect to the sneaky Midwest moneymakers you might not.
We looked at:
- How each STR market performs (ADR, occupancy, revenue, yield)
- Which listings do best (by bedroom count)
- Regulations and seasonality
- Football team rankings and recruiting
- And yes, which town is most likely to have a guest show up wearing body paint and holding a crock pot
Let’s dive into the top 10 college football towns where fall Saturdays bring more than touchdowns; they bring cash flow.
And Lee, if you’re reading this: We miss you.
Honorable Mentions
- State College, PA (Penn State)
- Blacksburg, VA (Virginia Tech)
- Knoxville, TN (Tennessee)
- Charlottesville, VA (Virginia)
- East Lansing, MI (Michigan State)
- Clemson, SC (Clemson)
Let’s dive into the top 10.
10. Baton Rouge, LA (LSU Tigers)
Why it works
Not a staggering high yield on paper, but LSU’s campus demand drives peak revenue, especially for premium home rentals (4 to 5 bedrooms) during major football weekends and concerts. The regulatory environment is fair, but it varies by neighborhood.
Football update
LSU enters the 2025 preseason at No. 9 in the coaches poll, after a 9-4 season. Their 2025 class ranks around No. 11 nationally, bolstered by big-time flips like Solomon Thomas (OT) and Tristen Keys (WR)
Investor angle
Major football weekends carry massive capture value, even during off-season months. Stadium rentals near campus do well, if you can stomach the block party view and occasional traffic jam.
9. Bloomington, IN (Indiana University)
Why it works
You’ll see mid-tier returns, but with consistent occupancy around basketball season and football weekends. In addition, 3-4 bedroom homes close to campus perform best. Amenities such as a backyard, parking, and kitchen can add $5,000–$10,000 in annual revenue, per Rabbu.
Football update
IU stunned in 2024 with an 11-win season and first-ever CFP appearance under coach Curt Cignetti, finishing around No. 17 in the Way Too Early preseason poll and No. 23 in SP+ projections. ESPN attributes breakout success to QB Kurtis Rourke and organizational momentum. Their 2025 class ranks around mid-20s, per ESPN and 247Sports.
Investor angle
Bloomington’s football boom is emerging. While yield is modest, market upside lies in appreciation and a growing fan base.
8. Minneapolis, MN (University of Minnesota Golden Gophers)
Why it works
Investors enjoy the dual appeal of urban travelers and Gophers fans, yielding strong occupancy and solid RevPAR. Top-performing listings are typically 2 to 3 bedrooms, located in downtown areas or near the stadium.
Football update
Minnesota is not yet considered a top-tier team, but ESPN FPI ranks them in the top 50 nationally and 11th among Big Ten teams for 2025. Their recruiting class features local standouts and includes Emmanuel Karmo (No. 26 OLB) and Bradley Martino (No. 62 WR). They’ll likely hover on the fringes of the top 25 unless a breakthrough happens.
Investor angle
Winning campaigns are crucial for driving weekend sales. Until then, the urban sector keeps this market ticking near double-digit yields.
7. Athens, GA (University of Georgia Bulldogs)
Why it works
Georgia fans are known for their extensive travel. Bulldog Nation descends on Athens for every SEC confrontation and home game. The most profitable STRs here are typically 4 to 5 bedrooms, located near campus or downtown, which are ideal for families or alumni groups.
Football update
Georgia enters the 2025 season ranked No. 2, coming off an 11-3 season as SEC Champions and Sugar Bowl participants. Kirby Smart—ranked as the top coach in 2025—has built a stockpile of national contenders. The 2025 recruiting class is expectation-laden, especially after landing top-rated prospects and consistently ranking in the Top 5 nationally.
Investor angle
Athens, GA, isn’t just where titles are won; it’s where bookings pile up like tailgate trash after a night game. This town transforms into an SEC pilgrimage site six Saturdays a year, and guests aren’t pinching pennies. Whether it’s alumni rolling in with their grown children or out-of-state fans seeking Southern charm with walkability, Athens delivers consistent demand.
6. Columbus, OH (Ohio State Buckeyes)
- Revenue: $36,651.8
- Median home price: $256,012
- Yield: 14.3%
- ADR: $192
- Occupancy: 52.3%
Why it works
A huge fan base guarantees peak weekend demand. Homes with 3 to 5 bedrooms in the University District consistently book. While the median home price is moderate, occupancy isn’t as high as expected, and there is lots of institutional demand, but changing regulations have slowed casual STRs.
Football update
Ohio State is preseason rank No. 4. They’re the defending national champions after defeating Notre Dame for the title earlier this year. The recruiting class and portal additions maintain elite status. Hard to go wrong here.
Investor angle
Columbus is steady, but regulatory uncertainties (zoning, permit caps) complicate yields. Premium game weekends still deliver reliably, for now.
5. Louisville, KY (University of Louisville Cardinals)
Why it works
Affordable homes with strong ADR yield solid returns, especially 3-to 4-bedroom properties near campus or in older neighborhoods like Highlands or Schnitzelburg. Amenity impact includes hot tubs and pools, adding $15,000–$20,000 per year.
Football update
Louisville enters 2025 as an “others receiving votes” team just outside the top 25 in multiple previews. ESPN ACC preview places them on the bubble. Recruiting rankings place them in the mid-to-upper teens; ESPN’s preview class is ranked around #11 nationally, with solid wide receiver additions to help develop rising quarterback talent.
Investor angle
Louisville is undervalued in football, but the STR numbers prove it out. This is a balanced market with growth potential if the Cards catch on.
4. Waco, TX (Baylor University)
Why it works
This market offers the cheapest entry price and substantial revenue, especially in 3-4 bedroom homes. If you enable filters (washer, kitchen, pool), those homes perform best, per Rabbu’s amenity breakdown. Returns are predicated on softball weekends, Magnolia visitors, and consistent Baylor football.
Football update
Baylor finished just outside 2025’s top-25 coaches poll projections; projected mid-teens in Big 12 rankings. Their recruiting class for 2025 is modest but competent, with a few ESPN300 commits among 34 signees.
Investor angle
Waco represents the classic high–yield play. It’s not SEC-level football demand, but STR profits, combined with stable home prices, make it irresistible for investors chasing ROI.
3. Champaign, IL (University of Illinois)
Why it works
Affordable homes and high occupancy rates result in consistent bookings. Rabbu shows that 2-bedroom listings perform best, but midrange 3-to-4-bedroom listings near campus also offer excellent returns. Enabling amenities like a washer, kitchen, and outdoor furniture net a $15,000–$18,000 revenue increase.
Football update
Illinois had a breakout year (10 wins, first such season in 23 years), finishing the AP poll around No. 16. Their 2025 recruiting class is labeled historic for Illinois, the largest average 247Sports rating in program history, even without ESPN 300 commits.
Investor angle
Champaign mixes momentum, affordability, and football turnaround energy. Investors willing to host between football weekends also see strong occupancy from March to May.
2. Tuscaloosa, AL (University of Alabama)
Why it works
Tuscaloosa’s ADR is fueled by Crimson Tide superfans, alumni reunions, and SEC football weekends that feel more like national holidays. The highest returns often come from 4-to-6-bedroom homes within walking distance of Bryant-Denny Stadium, or those with large backyards for pregame tailgates. Upscale touches, such as outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, and ample parking, make properties even more competitive.
Football update
Alabama enters the 2025 preseason ranked No. 8. Coming off a 12-2 season and a College Football Playoff appearance, the Tide’s 2025 recruiting class is ranked #1 by ESPN, featuring an absurd 12 ESPN 300 commits. In other words, expect packed stands and high traveler demand for years to come.
Investor angle
This is a market where game days can generate “a month’s rent in one weekend” kind of money. The upside is enormous if you can command premium rates for high-capacity homes. The trade-off is predictable: high seasonality outside the football season, so the best operators lean into university events, graduations, and short-term midweek bookings to maintain consistent revenue.
1. Columbia, SC (University of South Carolina Gamecocks)
Why it works
Lower-priced homes ($230K median) yield substantial returns, particularly 3–4 bedroom homes near campus or the downtown Coliseum. Amenities like pools and kitchens can significantly increase revenue when enabled.
Football update
South Carolina wraps a 2024 season at 9-4 (5-3 in SEC), finishing around No. 13 in coaching polls for 2025. Their 2025 recruiting class ranks around ESPN #20.
Investor angle
With a mid-teen recruiting class ranking, moderate STR yield, and a rising football culture, Columbia is a hidden gem for investors willing to time blocks smartly around Gamecock weekends.
Final Play-call: Why This List Matters
Here are the big takeaways from this list:
- STR yield drives wealth faster than just property appreciation.
- Team performance (and recruiting buzz) sustains demand, even in off-seasons.
- Local STR regulations, seasonality, and amenity strategy determine stability.
- Football puts fans in town. And fans pay better per night.
If your listing is around a college town with a top 25-ish team, you’re not betting on luck. You’re capturing culture, tradition, and loyalty. Those ingredients turn into booked weekends and real cash flow.