🦆 NO PNW Colleges make TOP TEN Football STR Markets - but don't forget about Eugene

[AJ Wong]

Fantastic new post about an evolving and very strategic investment strategy around STR markets in College Football towns on the BP Bigger Stays Blog today! They are really providing some excellent insight into short term rentals and to their credit the SEC Schools and markets are true powerhouses. 

We've touched on this topic a few times regarding Eugene OR due to having THE #1 NIL money in the country - anchored by Mr. Knight and Nike. We are generally high on the trajectory of Eugene as a still 'affordable' PNW/West Coast town that is extremely family friendly and under-recognized in STR markets due to the extremely high volume of track and field events at Hayward Field (event calendar below). With nearly $1B!? in NIL funds there is also a lot of demand for long term/mid term housing for: athletes, coaches, sponsors, scouts, agents and otherwise - in a region that is chronically luxury home deficient.

As for vacation rentals - If you've ever tried finding a hotel in Eugene during one of these events - the demand speaks for itself. Lane county is receptive and obtaining an STR permit is generally quite straightforward. Another Lane county destination offering close proximity to Eugene of note is Florence Oregon. Currently a low barrier to entry for STRs and within an hour of the airport - visitors find a plethora of recreational activities and temperatures typically 20-30 degrees cooler!

Here is a snap shot of Eugene area sporting events in 2026: 

Date(s)	Event
June 10–13	NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Mid–June	Nike Outdoor Nationals
Late June–July	Prefontaine Classic (Diamond League meet)
Early July	OTC Butte to Butte road race
April 24–26	Eugene Marathon
Spring	Hayward Classic & OSAA State Championships
Sept 5	Ducks vs. Boise State
Sept 12	Ducks @ Oklahoma State
Sept 19	Ducks vs. Portland State
August 5–9	World Athletics U20 Championships

[Myka Artis]

Geaux Tigers! 

As someone who was raised in Oregon and Washington for 19 years by parents/grandparents from Arkansas and Louisiana, college football is often associated with the South. I think the South college football turnouts are larger due to the proximity of all the colleges in the SEC, their stadium size, and the tailgating culture. Still, I wouldn't base my business on these numbers. I thought the article was great; however, we're talking about a seasonal sport.

Now your post did intrigue me about the events going on in Eugene. I haven't lived in the PNW since 2008, so I'd like to ask. Do you know the turnout for these events in the past?

@John Underwood I've always liked your perspective and like a lot of your posts, but I think I may have to take it all back after reading all this Roll Tide business....