Nothing compares to a college football town. There are strong ties between a town’s college campus and its football-obsessed population.
The largest events in these cities are often college football games, with the entire region closing down on Saturdays when the host team is in town.
We’ll be evaluating some of the top college football towns as we head into the heat of the college football season.
If you’re trying to find the Best College football town in America, then this post is just for you!
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College Football & the Local Economy
Collegiate sports teams’ effects on local economies have been up for dispute. We’ll go through some ways a football team affects the revenue of the college football town since research shows they influence local economic growth.
Tourism
Most companies in college towns can run their operations thanks to the income made by sports tourism. The number of spectators at college football games typically exceeds the number of students enrolled at a particular campus.
Nearly 10% of all tourist spending in certain towns, including State College, directly relates to football, and local companies sometimes base their annual budgeting on sales spikes on game days.
Tax Revenue
Because their tax bases are not as well-established as those of bigger cities, which may rely more on property taxes, college towns rely on tourism and sales taxes and face severe revenue shortages throughout the fiscal year if any problem affects the tax revenues.
Home games during college football seasons may have significant financial effects on the city and its environs. However, football is a significant source of income and has a significant impact on the local economy in several college towns.
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Best College Football Towns in America
College football season is almost here! Below are some of the best college football towns in America.
#1. Athens, Georgia
The University of Georgia and Athens, Georgia, have very close ties. The Bulldogs’ campus is very near to its well-known downtown. These two regions come together significantly on football Saturdays, resulting in a large tailgate scene.
On football Saturdays, Athens comes alive with enthusiasm for the game, amazing music, apparently endless food and drink, and a beautiful campus landscape.
Athens and the surrounding region of the University of Georgia are heavily reliant on music since the college town has served as a launchpad for several bands at renowned venues throughout the years. You’ll find many bars throughout Downtown Athens, enhancing the atmosphere before and after games at Georgia’s neighboring Sanford Stadium.
#2. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, the home of Louisiana State University football, is well-known for its iconic tailgating and thriving Creole culture. Football fans will discover that Baton Rouge has developed a winning recipe for an exceptional game day experience when they combine delectable Louisiana cuisine with unlimited beverages. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is one of the best college football towns in America.
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#3. Columbus, Ohio
It is simple to see why Columbus, Ohio, is both the city with the highest population growth and one of the top college football towns in America. Besides being the Buckeyes’ home, it is also the location of the German Village, one of the nation’s biggest privately sponsored historic neighborhoods. The region offers a wide variety of European cuisine and beverages, making it possible to experience a trip to Europe without leaving the United States.
#4. Clemson, South Carolina
The town of Clemson and the university share a close bond. There are little around 14,000 permanent residents in the town proper. However, this little South Carolina town transforms by the local university into a magnificent region of culture, outdoor spaces, and eateries. The Tigers’ community devotes to both their football program and their ascent to the national championship.
If you’re interested in hiking, the Blue Ridge Mountains are not too far away and nearby Lake Hartwell is a well-known destination. The area is awash with football fans, and many renowned college teams play in international competitions.
One of the finest traditions in college football is the Tigers’ ceremonial rubbing of Howard’s Rock and the exhilarating dash down the hill inside Memorial Stadium. A sea of vivid orange from pre-game tailgating blankets across the campus’s tree-covered landscape.
It makes up for its size shortfall with charm and a passion for the game. Clemson, South Carolina, is one of the best college football towns in America.
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#5. Oxford, Mississippi
Fans gather at “The Grove” in Oxford, one of the most well-known tailgating locations in college football, to support Ole Miss. Oxford’s culture and environment are distinctive. Its surrounding comprises gorgeous scenery and ancient structures. You can feel the anticipation on Saturday mornings as fans assemble to tailgate and partake in a classic college football town tradition.
Starting with the renowned Grove, Oxford’s ambiance differs from that of a typical college town. There are many gorgeous old buildings in Oxford, and the city has a lot of cultures, particularly rock music. The theatrical scene, restaurants, bars, museums, and outdoor activities are all of the highest calibers. Oxford is undoubtedly one of the best college football towns in America you should visit.
#6. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Both the viewer and the athlete get a unique experience thanks to college football. Any fan will tell you that Saturday is game day and that it is by far the finest day of the week because of the atmosphere it produces.
Minneapolis, a stunning city, is famous for capturing the electric excitement expected in college football cities. A Golden Gophers game is an excellent opportunity to see Minneapolis, which is one of the Twin Cities’ larger cities. The beautiful weather and big city atmosphere are some features that make Minnesota, Minneapolis one of the top college football towns in America.
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#7. Madison, Wisconsin
Without Madison, Wisconsin, any discussion about the top college football town in America will fall short. It has received the top ranking from USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and NCAA.com.
Madison is idyllically next to several lovely lakes, and it is overflowing with all the bars and dining options a college football fan could need. State Street, in Madison, between the campus of Wisconsin and the capital building, is a lively area all year long, but this is especially true on game days.
On football Saturdays, Camp Randall Stadium, which is famous for its wild celebrations, practically trembles with the popular “Jump Around” ritual. In Madison, there is no shortage of things to do and exciting things to experience, both indoors and outside.
The community is a melting pot of people from different backgrounds, and when the Badgers play at Camp Randall, everyone comes together to produce one of the sport’s most renowned atmospheres. The supremacy of Madison in the college football town rankings is difficult to contest.
#8. Auburn, Alabama
In Alabama, college football is the best. The legends and iconic scenes that took place in Jordan-Hare Stadium are permanently synonymous with this college town, and the sport is integral to the community’s identity.
Few people would know Auburn, Alabama, a town in East Central Alabama close to the Georgia state line if it weren’t for Auburn University. There are little over 60,000 people living in the city, and most have connections to the school.
On Saturdays in the fall, Auburn’s attendance increases significantly and fills Jordan-Hare Stadium with many more people. Football fully dominates Auburn, starting with the scramble for tailgate locations as early as Tuesday morning for big games and ending with a joyful rolling of Toomer’s Corner on Saturday night—the crossroads of downtown Auburn and its campus, right close to prestigious Samford Hall.
Saturdays, home games take up every available space on campus with some type of tailgating area, and the activity spreads outside the university walls. Besides being one of the top college football towns in America, Auburn is famous for its Toomer’s Corner tradition.
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#9. Gainesville, Florida
Over the years, the University of Florida has elevated to the pinnacle of total sports department excellence. The most popular event in Gainesville year-round is still game day at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also referred to as “The Swamp.” Gainesville fervently loves its football and exhibits it day in and day out, as seen by the Gator chomp and the customary shouts that resound around the stadium.
The college town is popular for its vibrant music scene, which has given rise to several well-known rock bands. Gainesville has a well-known festival scene, which frequently takes over the city. It also stands out on the collegiate football scene thanks to its distinctive football and music cultures. It is one of the top college football town in America.
#10. Knoxville, Tennessee
On game days, Knoxville is a special place because of the beer, the constant playing of “Rocky Top,” and, of course, the football. However, it takes more than that to be one of the top college football towns in America. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of college football, Sports Illustrated named Knoxville as one of the best college football towns in America.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Market Square farmer’s market is just a few of the local attractions that helped make Knoxville one of the greatest. With its proximity to the Tennessee River and a wide range of outdoor activities, Knoxville truly puts the “great” in the outdoors. In addition, the city has a vibrant music and arts scene and excellent cuisine. Any lover of college football should make the trip just to see all of that, besides the magnificent scenery of a typical Knoxville football Saturday.
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#11. College Station, Texas
College Station, Texas, is popular for its love of college football. With a population of just under 100,000, Texas A&M dominates this town in east-central Texas. The 12th Man, one of the most recognizable college football traditions in sports, is inherent in College Station. The enormous student body and an alumni base of Texas A&M join to fill the recently refurbished Kyle Field and make life very tough for rivals.
On Saturdays, tailgating is a huge part of the College Station experience, with people lining up early to claim sites on campus. Football is exactly what one would expect from a large university in Lone Star State.
College Station, Texas, is the proud home of the Aggies and offers one of the best college town experiences in the nation. The Northgate neighborhood of the city is home to a thriving music scene, and you’ll find a rich history everywhere you turn. College Station is one of the best college towns in America.
#12. Lincoln, Nebraska
Football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Lincoln go hand in hand. The Huskers are incredibly beloved in this college town. Like other top college cities on our list, Lincoln’s downtown pub scene is quite near to the enormous Memorial Stadium, where tailgates on football Saturdays can cover miles.
Although Nebraska hasn’t been a championship-contending powerhouse in college football for a while, Husker supporters continue to swarm their charming city and show their fervor. This elevates Lincoln, Nebraska, as one of the best college football towns in America.
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#13. Ann Arbor, Michigan
The personal finance outlet’s ranking of the Best College Town and Cities in the United States included Ann Arbor at the top because of its affordable cost of living, excellent employment prospects, and enjoyable social scene.
Even without football, Ann Arbor, Michigan—home of the University of Michigan—is a fantastic college town. Being close to the University, there are several cultural hotspots nearby, plus Ann Arbor has amazing gardens and outdoor activities, which makes for a beautiful backdrop.
Not only is Michigan Stadium the largest college football stadium in the nation, but it is also the largest stadium in terms of capacity. On Saturdays, Ann Arbor transforms into a massive tailgating and cultural event with all that space for fervent Wolverine supporters.
Ann Arbor is a legendary college football town with everything a visitor could desire, from the renowned Zingerman’s Delicatessen to the jaw-dropping spectacle of well over 100,000 supporters sporting the white and blue.
#14. South bend, Indiana.
Football at Notre Dame is a cultural tradition outside of South Bend, Indiana. Known for its “golden dome” football helmets and “Touchdown Jesus” outside of Notre Dame Stadium, the most illustrious program in college football has its home on the beautiful campus of Notre Dame.
A large contingent of Irish supporters swarms to Notre Dame Stadium to take part in the pomp and ceremony of a Saturday in South Bend. South Bend is one of the top college football cities in the country thanks to Notre Dame’s stunning campus, extensive football legacy, and close ties to its city. South bend is one of the top college football towns in America.
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#15. State College, Pennsylvania
State College, Pennsylvania, is one of the top college towns in America. State College is the home of Penn State and has a municipal population of little over 40,000 people and a surrounding university with about 100,000 students. Although State College has a strong downtown cultural scene and hosts several well-known events all year long, football fully dominates the city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best college football town?
State College, Pennsylvania, and Ann Arbor, Michigan are the best college football towns in America.
What is the most popular college football team?
Alabama is one of the most popular college football teams in America.
Which team has the best college football stadium?
The Ohio Buckeyes have the best college football stadium.
What is the best college football tradition?
The Florida State Chief Osceola and the Texas A&M 12th man are some of the best college football traditions in the country.
What features do the best college football town usually provide?
The best college football town features a sublime blend of beautiful landscapes, cuisines, academic opportunities, and beautiful culture.
Conclusions
The greatest college football cities compete to provide tourists total hospitality with a bustling downtown lined with unique shops and restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world, an unrivaled sports culture, and an abundance of natural landscapes.
References
- Image link
- urban.org – Local Budgets Are Desperate for College Football, but COVID-19 Is Blocking the Goal Line
- si.com – Football’s Economic Impact on College Town, College Players, and the NFL
- digitalcommons.coastal.edu – Professional Sports Teams and their Local Economic Impact
- researchgate.net – Down, Set, Hike: The Economic Impact of College Football Games on Local Economies
- bleacherreport.com – Ranking the Top 15 College Football Towns in the Country
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