Every year, millions of Americans devote their weekends and savings to their favorite college team. For many, it’s more than just sports; it’s a part of life, a source of emotions, and tradition. But along with the excitement come expenses that people often don’t think about. Trips to games, buying merch, subscriptions to broadcasts, food, and accommodation during away matches — all of this quickly adds up to a large amount. In 2025, being an active supporter of a college team can cost several thousand dollars per season.
What Makes College Sports So Popular
College sports are more than just competitions. They bring people together and create a sense of unity and community. What matters here is not profit, but loyalty. Fans usually support teams from their hometowns or the universities they attended. College football is considered the second-most-popular sport in the country, combining attendance and viewership, surpassing baseball and basketball. Universities like Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State regularly fill stadiums with 100,000 spectators — numbers comparable to NFL games.
But college sports influence more than just fans’ emotions. They help build local pride, inspire players, and even attract new students. When a university team performs well, applications and alumni donations usually increase. This is known as the “Flutie Effect,” confirmed by research from the National Bureau of Economic Research. For students, their team’s success is a chance to feel part of something bigger, and for alums, it’s a reason to take pride in their university and see its name recognized across the country.
How Much Do Fans Really Spend to Stay Loyal All Season?
The main expense for college football, basketball, and baseball fans is tickets. Even tickets for regular-season games often cost between $100 and $250, but prices for ultimate playoff matchups can climb much higher. But the spending doesn’t stop there — travel, food, lodging, and souvenirs can easily make supporting a team several times more expensive than fans expect.
Travel Costs for Home and Away Games
Traveling to see their team play adds significant expenses for fans. Today, the average price of gasoline across the country is about $3.62 per gallon, and those who travel long distances also have to pay for flights, hotels, and food. As a result, fans who follow their team to all away games can spend between $8,000 and $10,000 per season.
But these trips require not only money but also time. Students often have to miss classes due to travel or take on part-time jobs to help cover costs. Alums frequently take vacation days to attend games. On top of that, there's travel fatigue, expensive food, and unexpected costs like parking fines or Uber rides.
Buying Gear and Supporting the Team
Most fans buy official merchandise to show which team they support. T-shirts, hoodies, and caps usually cost between $40 and $120 each. During major games, universities often release limited-edition clothing collections — these items are especially popular among fans.
Some supporters go even further by joining booster clubs or alums associations. Annual membership fees usually start at $50 but can reach several thousand dollars if they include perks such as better seats or access to exclusive events. Many fans also make donations to university athletic funds. Although these contributions are voluntary, they are quite common. However, according to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), charitable deductions are limited if the donations are tied to ticket-related benefits. So, before filing a tax return, it’s a good idea to check the current IRS Publication 526.
All these purchases and contributions help universities develop their athletic programs, but for fans, they turn into regular expenses that add up each season.
Paying for Streaming and Sports Access
Watching all the games at home is not cheap, as about 60% of sports fans now pay not only for cable television but also for several streaming services. A subscription to ESPN+ costs $10.99 per month, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME is $11.99, and Big Ten+ starts at $14.95.
For those who follow several conferences at once, it costs an average of $40–$60 per month, and over the season, the amount easily reaches $400–$700. Some platforms also charge extra for viewing from different camera angles or extended game replays.
To stay within budget, you can use free expense tracking apps such as YNAB (You Need a Budget). They automatically categorize spending and alert you when you are approaching your limit.
Time, Emotions, and the Pressure to Keep Up
Cheering for your team is not only about money but also about emotions. Students often spend their weekends at university events, while fans spend hours watching pregame shows, reading news, or going to the stadium.
Such enthusiasm requires time and energy and can sometimes interfere with studies, work, or personal life. Emotions are always intense: victories bring excitement and pride, while losses cause stress and fatigue. In some universities, indifference to sports is almost seen as being detached from campus life, as if you’re not part of the shared spirit.
To avoid burnout and keep a balance between sports and everyday responsibilities, it’s important to manage your time wisely. Simple tools like Google Calendar or Todoist can help you stay organized, even when the whole campus is living in anticipation of the next game.
Smart Ways to Support Your College Team on a Budget
True fans can enjoy the season without overspending. You don’t have to attend every game or buy all the new merchandise; there are simple ways to cut costs and still stay part of the sports atmosphere:
Plan your trips and look for affordable flights on websites like Kayak or Hopper.
Travel with friends on Booking.com and Airbnb, and you can often split the payment or find group discounts.
Buy fan gear out of season, when prices drop by 30–50%.
Choose bundled subscriptions like Disney+ Trio (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) instead of multiple separate services.
Use budgeting apps to track how much you actually spend on sports.
Don’t forget about student and alumni discounts — many universities post them on their official athletic websites.
Sometimes, even with careful planning, expenses still go over budget — hotel prices rise, your car breaks down, or you get a parking ticket. In such cases, trusted online services can be a last resort option for adult fans to cover unexpected travel costs. It’s not a replacement for budgeting, but a way to keep supporting your sports team and see it play in every match, even if the season turns out more expensive than expected.
Final Tip: Enjoy the Season Without Letting Costs Take Over
Supporting a college team is not just a hobby — it’s a part of culture and personal emotion. However, such dedication can be expensive. Every year, fans spend thousands of dollars on tickets, travel, gear, and sports streaming subscriptions, often without realizing how much it all adds up to.
Understanding your expenses helps you make more thoughtful decisions about how much you really want to invest in your passion. Whether it’s cheering through every bracket game or just catching a few key matchups, you can still enjoy the season, share the excitement with other fans, and keep your finances under control.
