This summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean people want to stop traveling just yet. The end of summer means the start of the academic year – and with it, the start of college football season.
With Labor Day weekend fast approaching, Airbnb is reporting a 130% increase in searches for short-term rentals in college football cities.
“This latest trend highlights the desire for ‘event vacations,’ where travelers simultaneously attend large events such as concerts or sporting events,” AirBnb explained in a recent report. “As game day excitement builds, travelers are also opting for unique accommodations that fit their football weekend plans.”
Major college football events can often be an economic boon to the surrounding community. When Houston, Texas, hosted the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, the event brought the city an estimated $200 million, according to Public Media in Houston.
Even games played earlier in the season can draw large crowds and generate profits for local businesses. When Virginia played Tennessee in the season opener last year, the city of Nashville saw a direct economic gain of $20.3 million, according to the Tennessee.
Local authorities often view major college sporting events as a means of attracting travelers to their cities who might not otherwise consider visiting.
“The $20.3 million raised by the Tennessee-Virginia game demonstrates Nashville’s continued standing as a center for college football and highlights the city’s extraordinary economic impact on the sports tourism sector,” said Scott Ramsey, president and CEO of the Nashville Sports Council, according to the Tennessean.
“This inaugural game shows how sports can boost tourism, strengthen local businesses and establish Nashville as the ultimate destination for unforgettable college football moments.”
The college town that saw the most dramatic increase in interested travelers ahead of Labor Day weekend is Gainesville, Florida, where searches for Airbnb accommodations increased by 1,600%. Other college towns that saw an increase in potential travelers include College Station, Texas, where searches increased by 180%; Columbia, South Carolina, with a 200% increase; and Tallahassee, Florida, with a 160% increase in searches.
Read on to see the most wish-listed Airbnb listings in college towns that are trending ahead of Labor Day weekend.
