Nielsen releases local college football fandom index, ranks most avid markets ahead of 2026 season

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Ahead of Week 1 of the 2026 college football season, Nielsen has released the “Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index.” The metric takes into account multiple different factors while determining the most avid media markets for college football.

Nielsen’s methodology includes eight parts: apparel purchases, event attendance, streaming, social media following, TV viewership, radio listening, betting intent and overall interest level. That is then calculated into an unweighted average, with 100 as the national benchmark.

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The local college football fandom index comes on the heels of increased viewership in 2025 as college football saw a 9% year-over-year increase in total minutes consumed, Nielsen said. Here is the full breakdown of the top media markets for the sport.

1. Birmingham

Flagship programs: Alabama, Auburn
Average Index: 230

The Birmingham, Ala. media market tops the Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index heading into 2026. Alabama and Auburn are the top programs in that area, and the Crimson Tide was among the most-watched college football teams last season.

This season is shaping up to be a big one for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama as Keelon Russell takes over as the starting quarterback. For Auburn, it’s the start of a new era as Alex Golesh prepares for his first season as head coach.

2. Des Moines/Ames

Flagship programs: Iowa State, Iowa
Average Index: 212

The CyHawk rivalry runs deep in the Des Moines and Ames market. Iowa and Iowa State lead the charge as part of the second-most avid media market in college football, according to Nielsen’s local fandom index.

The Cyclones kick off the Jimmy Rogers era this week as he debuts his new-look roster at Iowa State. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes will get the 2026 campaign underway against Northern Illinois while still working toward a quarterback decision.

3. Columbus

Flagship program: Ohio State
Average Index: 205

Ohio State football leads the charge in Columbus, which checks in at No. 3 in the Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index. The Buckeyes are gearing up for another highly anticipated season amid high expectations.

Key pieces of the offense are back from last year’s 11-2 campaign, headlined by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin. Ohio State was also one of the Top 5 most-watched teams a season ago, as well.

4. Omaha

Flagship program: Nebraska
Average Index: 193

Fueled by Nebraska, Omaha checks in as the fourth-most avid media market in college football, according to Nielsen. The Cornhuskers are also in the midst of their record sellout streak entering a key year for Matt Rhule.

NU is coming off back-to-back bowl appearances under Rhule after snapping a streak without making it to a bowl game. New quarterback Anthony Colandrea will get the first snaps this week when Nebraska takes on Ohio.

5. Knoxville

Flagship program: Tennessee
Average Index: 188

Tennessee helped fuel one of two of the most avid media markets in college football, according to Nielsen. Knoxville checks in at No. 5 on the list as the Vols get ready for a storyline-filled 2026 season.

True freshman Faizon Brandon will take over as Tennessee’s starting quarterback, beginning with this week’s game against Furman. Josh Heupel is not new to starting a true freshman and plenty of eyes will be on Rocky Top this season to see what Brandon can do.

6. Oklahoma City

Flagship programs: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State
Average Index: 186

With Oklahoma and Oklahoma State as its flagship programs, Oklahoma City finds itself at No. 6 in the Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index. Both programs are going to be among the ones to watch this season, as well.

Oklahoma State has a fully revamped roster under new head coach Eric Morris, led by new quarterback Drew Mestemaker. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is looking to build on its College Football Playoff appearance last year with a group of returning talent headlined by quarterback John Mateer on offense and defensive lineman David Stone on defense.

7. Chattanooga

Flagship program: Tennessee
Average Index: 174

Chattanooga marks the second Tennessee-focused media market to appear in the Top 10 of the Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index. It checks in at No. 7 on the list heading into the 2026 season.

Plenty of Vols fans have also been following a Chattanooga native who headlines their 2027 recruiting class this year. Five-star running back David Gabriel Georges will take his talents to Rocky Top next season as one of the highest-profile recruits in some time.

8. New Orleans

Flagship program: LSU
Average Index: 166

Sitting roughly 80 miles from New Orleans, LSU helped fuel the market to No. 8 on the Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index. The Tigers will be front and center this season ahead of a highly anticipated season.

Lane Kiffin’s arrival at LSU will be one of the top storylines in the sport in 2026, and the Tigers will make two appearances on ESPN’s College GameDay in the first three weeks of the season. It all begins Saturday in primetime with a home game against Clemson.

9. Atlanta

Flagship programs: Georgia Tech, Georgia
Average Index: 161

The largest media market in the Top 10 checks in at No. 9 on the Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index. Atlanta has Georgia Tech and Georgia as its flagship programs, though the Yellow Jackets call the city home.

Georgia is once again looking to be one of the top teams in the SEC in 2026 with quarterback Gunner Stockton and safety KJ Bolden among the biggest returners. In the ATL, Georgia Tech will have new quarterback Alberto Mendoza under center with a new-look offense under new coordinator George Godsey.

10. Memphis

Flagship programs: Memphis, Ole Miss
Average Index: 161

Memphis rounds out the Top 10 most avid fanbases in college football, according to the Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index. Two schools – Memphis and Ole Miss – helped get there.

The Tigers kicked off the Charles Huff era in grand fashion with a victory over UNLV in Las Vegas to cap Week 0. For the Rebels, Pete Golding is gearing up to start his first full season as head coach when they head to Nashville for a neutral-site matchup against Louisville on Sunday.

College Football Fandom Index: Nos. 11-20

11. Charleston Huntington (Marshall, West Virginia) – Average Index: 156
12. Austin (Texas) – Average Index: 154
13. Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Kentucky) – Average Index: 151
T-14. Grant Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek (Michigan State) – Average Index: 150
T-14. Lexington (Kentucky) – Average Index: 150
16. Jacksonville (Florida) – Average Index: 142
17. Tulsa (Tulsa, Oklahoma State) – Average Index: 141
18. Dayton (Cincinnati, Ohio State) – Average Index: 140
19. Little Rock/Pine Bluff (Arkansas) – Average Index: 138
T-20. Cleveland/Akron (Ohio State) – Average Index: 136
T-20. Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville/Anderson (Clemson, Georgia) – Average Index: 136

One notable takeaway from Nielsen’s college football fandom index is the fact smaller markets bring move avid fans, according to the metrics. Eight of the Top 10 markets, including each of the Top 7, do not have an NFL team along with a college program.

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