Rooms fill up in Lincoln, one of Airbnb renters’ top college football destinations

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The football season is here, and data show that people are looking to visit the capital city.

“The Colorado game is already booked,” Todd Knobel, owner of Martha’s Bed and Breakfast, said Wednesday.

He’s getting ready for the busy season.

“Some of the other games we still have some availability, but with the rates coming down a bit we do anticipate being full,” Knobel said.

According to Airbnb, it has seen a 25% increase in searches for rooms in Lincoln ahead of Saturday’s game, which is also Labor Day weekend.

Lincoln is one of the most popular college football destinations for renters, including cities such as Tallahassee, Eugene, and Knoxville.

The city has hundreds of Airbnb rentals, but almost all are booked for this weekend.

There are only about 20 rooms left for a Saturday to Sunday stay.

Knobel has owned Martha’s Bed and Breakfast for just under two years.

He said he’s learned that he needs to make units nearly six months in advance, that’s when football season tickets go on sale.

“People like tradition. Football is a tradition,” he said. “Some of the older establishments have families, and they keep coming back year after year.”

All those people mean big money for Lincoln.

Research shows that college football games can bring in up to $1.5 million to the host city on game day weekends.