It’s that magical time of 12 months once more: The air is (barely) much less humid, the odor of charcoal grills and damaged goals fills the Saturday sky, and in case you shut your eyes and pay attention laborious sufficient…you’ll be able to virtually hear Lee Corso mumbling, “Not so quick, my pal,” as he places a large duck head on his physique.
Sure, school soccer season is again, and for short-term rental buyers, meaning one factor: Sport day bookings.
There isn’t any substitute for the vitality of a school city on a soccer weekend. We’re speaking absolutely packed leases, premium weekend charges, and friends who need to go away your house throughout the day to allow them to scream at 19-year-olds in shoulder pads.
However which cities provide the finest likelihood to money in?
We ranked the highest 10 short-term rental markets for faculty soccer followers and buyers utilizing a mashup of Rabbu, Mashvisor, Airbtics, and PriceLabs information. Every platform has its quirks, so as a substitute of enjoying favorites, we averaged them to easy out the noise. Since Airbtics doesn’t think about cleansing charges, we bumped their income projections by 20% to maintain issues apples-to-apples. Your market’s cleansing payment could also be increased or decrease, so regulate accordingly.
We then layered in STR yield potential (annual income divided by median residence worth), and since we’re not soulless spreadsheets, soccer program power. The result’s a listing that runs from the SEC juggernauts you’d anticipate to the sneaky Midwest moneymakers you may not.
We checked out:
- How every STR market performs (ADR, occupancy, income, yield)
- Which listings do finest (by bed room depend)
- Rules and seasonality
- Soccer workforce rankings and recruiting
- And sure, which city is more than likely to have a visitor present up sporting physique paint and holding a crock pot
Let’s dive into the highest 10 school soccer cities the place fall Saturdays carry greater than touchdowns; they carry money movement.
And Lee, in case you’re studying this: We miss you.
Honorable Mentions
- State School, 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 highest 10.
10. Baton Rouge, LA (LSU Tigers)
Why it really works
Not a staggering excessive yield on paper, however LSU’s campus demand drives peak income, particularly for premium residence leases (4 to five bedrooms) throughout main soccer weekends and concert events. The regulatory setting is truthful, nevertheless it varies by neighborhood.
Soccer replace
LSU enters the 2025 preseason at No. 9 within the coaches ballot, after a 9-4 season. Their 2025 class ranks round No. 11 nationally, bolstered by big-time flips like Solomon Thomas (OT) and Tristen Keys (WR)
Investor angle
Main soccer weekends carry huge seize worth, even throughout low season months. Stadium leases close to campus do effectively, in case you can abdomen the block celebration view and occasional site visitors jam.
9. Bloomington, IN (Indiana College)
Why it really works
You’ll see mid-tier returns, however with constant occupancy round basketball season and soccer weekends. As well as, 3-4 bed room houses near campus carry out finest. Facilities similar to a yard, parking, and kitchen can add $5,000–$10,000 in annual income, per Rabbu.
Soccer replace
IU shocked in 2024 with an 11-win season and first-ever CFP look beneath coach Curt Cignetti, ending round No. 17 within the Means Too Early preseason ballot and No. 23 in SP+ projections. ESPN attributes breakout success to QB Kurtis Rourke and organizational momentum. Their 2025 class ranks round mid-20s, per ESPN and 247Sports.
Investor angle
Bloomington’s soccer growth is rising. Whereas yield is modest, market upside lies in appreciation and a rising fan base.
8. Minneapolis, MN (College of Minnesota Golden Gophers)
Why it really works
Buyers benefit from the twin enchantment of city vacationers and Gophers followers, yielding sturdy occupancy and stable RevPAR. High-performing listings are usually 2 to three bedrooms, positioned in downtown areas or close to the stadium.
Soccer replace
Minnesota just isn’t but thought-about a top-tier workforce, however ESPN FPI ranks them within the prime 50 nationally and eleventh amongst Massive Ten groups for 2025. Their recruiting class options native standouts and contains Emmanuel Karmo (No. 26 OLB) and Bradley Martino (No. 62 WR). They’ll doubtless hover on the fringes of the highest 25 except a breakthrough occurs.
Investor angle
Successful campaigns are essential for driving weekend gross sales. Till then, the city sector retains this market ticking close to double-digit yields.
7. Athens, GA (College of Georgia Bulldogs)
Why it really works
Georgia followers are identified for his or her in depth journey. Bulldog Nation descends on Athens for each SEC confrontation and residential sport. Probably the most worthwhile STRs listed here are usually 4 to five bedrooms, positioned close to campus or downtown, which are perfect for households or alumni teams.
Soccer replace
Georgia enters the 2025 season ranked No. 2, coming off an 11-3 season as SEC Champions and Sugar Bowl contributors. Kirby Good—ranked as the highest coach in 2025—has constructed a stockpile of nationwide contenders. The 2025 recruiting class is expectation-laden, particularly after touchdown top-rated prospects and persistently rating within the High 5 nationally.
Investor angle
Athens, GA, isn’t simply the place titles are gained; it’s the place bookings pile up like tailgate trash after an evening sport. This city transforms into an SEC pilgrimage web site six Saturdays a 12 months, and friends aren’t pinching pennies. Whether or not it’s alumni rolling in with their grown kids or out-of-state followers searching for Southern attraction with walkability, Athens delivers constant demand.
6. Columbus, OH (Ohio State Buckeyes)
- Income: $36,651.8
- Median residence worth: $256,012
- Yield: 14.3%
- ADR: $192
- Occupancy: 52.3%
Why it really works
An enormous fan base ensures peak weekend demand. Properties with 3 to five bedrooms within the College District persistently ebook. Whereas the median residence worth is reasonable, occupancy isn’t as excessive as anticipated, and there’s tons of institutional demand, however altering laws have slowed informal STRs.
Soccer replace
Ohio State is preseason rank No. 4. They’re the defending nationwide champions after defeating Notre Dame for the title earlier this 12 months. The recruiting class and portal additions keep elite standing. Arduous to go flawed right here.
Investor angle
Columbus is regular, however regulatory uncertainties (zoning, allow caps) complicate yields. Premium sport weekends nonetheless ship reliably, for now.
5. Louisville, KY (College of Louisville Cardinals)
Why it really works
Inexpensive houses with sturdy ADR yield stable returns, particularly 3-to 4-bedroom properties close to campus or in older neighborhoods like Highlands or Schnitzelburg. Amenity impression contains scorching tubs and swimming pools, including $15,000–$20,000 per 12 months.
Soccer replace
Louisville enters 2025 as an “others receiving votes” workforce simply exterior the highest 25 in a number of previews. ESPN ACC preview locations them on the bubble. Recruiting rankings place them within the mid-to-upper teenagers; ESPN’s preview class is ranked round #11 nationally, with stable broad receiver additions to assist develop rising quarterback expertise.
Investor angle
Louisville is undervalued in soccer, however the STR numbers show it out. This is a balanced market with development potential if the Playing cards catch on.
4. Waco, TX (Baylor College)
Why it really works
This market affords the most affordable entry worth and substantial income, particularly in 3-4 bed room houses. In the event you allow filters (washer, kitchen, pool), these houses carry out finest, per Rabbu’s amenity breakdown. Returns are predicated on softball weekends, Magnolia guests, and constant Baylor soccer.
Soccer replace
Baylor completed simply exterior 2025’s top-25 coaches ballot projections; projected mid-teens in Massive 12 rankings. Their recruiting class for 2025 is modest however competent, with a couple of ESPN300 commits amongst 34 signees.
Investor angle
Waco represents the traditional excessive–yield play. It’s not SEC-level soccer demand, however STR income, mixed with secure residence costs, make it irresistible for buyers chasing ROI.
3. Champaign, IL (College of Illinois)
Why it really works
Inexpensive houses and excessive occupancy charges lead to constant bookings. Rabbu exhibits that 2-bedroom listings carry out finest, however midrange 3-to-4-bedroom listings close to campus additionally supply wonderful returns. Enabling facilities like a washer, kitchen, and out of doors furnishings internet a $15,000–$18,000 income enhance.
Soccer replace
Illinois had a breakout 12 months (10 wins, first such season in 23 years), ending the AP ballot round No. 16. Their 2025 recruiting class is labeled historic for Illinois, the most important common 247Sports ranking in program historical past, even with out ESPN 300 commits.
Investor angle
Champaign mixes momentum, affordability, and soccer turnaround vitality. Buyers keen to host between soccer weekends additionally see sturdy occupancy from March to Could.
2. Tuscaloosa, AL (College of Alabama)
Why it really works
Tuscaloosa’s ADR is fueled by Crimson Tide superfans, alumni reunions, and SEC soccer weekends that really feel extra like nationwide holidays. The very best returns usually come from 4-to-6-bedroom houses inside strolling distance of Bryant-Denny Stadium, or these with giant backyards for pregame tailgates. Upscale touches, similar to out of doors kitchens, scorching tubs, and ample parking, make properties much more aggressive.
Soccer replace
Alabama enters the 2025 preseason ranked No. 8. Coming off a 12-2 season and a School Soccer Playoff look, the Tide’s 2025 recruiting class is ranked #1 by ESPN, that includes an absurd 12 ESPN 300 commits. In different phrases, anticipate packed stands and excessive traveler demand for years to come back.
Investor angle
This is a market the place sport days can generate “a month’s lease in a single weekend” sort of cash. The upside is big in case you can command premium charges for high-capacity houses. The trade-off is predictable: excessive seasonality exterior the soccer season, so the perfect operators lean into college occasions, graduations, and short-term midweek bookings to take care of constant income.
1. Columbia, SC (College of South Carolina Gamecocks)
Why it really works
Decrease-priced houses ($230K median) yield substantial returns, notably 3–4 bed room houses close to campus or the downtown Coliseum. Facilities like swimming pools and kitchens can considerably enhance income when enabled.
Soccer replace
South Carolina wraps a 2024 season at 9-4 (5-3 in SEC), ending round No. 13 in teaching polls for 2025. Their 2025 recruiting class ranks round ESPN #20.
Investor angle
With a mid-teen recruiting class rating, reasonable STR yield, and a rising soccer tradition, Columbia is a hidden gem for buyers keen to time blocks neatly round Gamecock weekends.
Last Play-call: Why This Record Issues
Listed below are the massive takeaways from this checklist:
- STR yield drives wealth quicker than simply property appreciation.
- Crew efficiency (and recruiting buzz) sustains demand, even in off-seasons.
- Native STR laws, seasonality, and amenity technique decide stability.
- Soccer places followers on the town. And followers pay higher per night time.
In case your itemizing is round a school city with a prime 25-ish workforce, you’re not betting on luck. You’re capturing tradition, custom, and loyalty. These substances flip into booked weekends and actual money movement.
