Every Friday in Bloomington, hotel parking lots fill up fast, luggage rolls through sliding glass doors, parents check into suites, and alumni flock to their favorite local bars.

A classic Bloomington weekend: packed hotels, limited rooms and soaring prices.

Between home football games, Parents Weekend, and Homecoming, thousands of people pour into Bloomington each weekend. But the city only has roughly 1,500 hotel rooms and about 800 short-term rentals.

That limited supply cannot always keep up with the demand. Hotel rates increase significantly when it’s a busy weekend at IU.

According to Hotels.com, the typical Tuesday night rate at the Graduate hotel in Bloomington is about $190. During the last football game of the season, the rate jumps to about $1500.

“I think it’s supply and demand,” said Matt Swisher, manager of the new Posh Boutique Hotel on Kirkwood Avenue.

Posh is one of Bloomington’s newest additions to the hotel scene, right on Kirkwood. Its opening adds to a lineup that already includes the Graduate Bloomington, Hyatt Place, and the Hilton Garden Inn, all within walking distance of the IU campus.

Despite the growth, rooms still vanish fast. Short-term rental bookings increased by 27% in 2024, according to the 2024 Community Tourism Report. For travelers, this means prices continue to climb.

Swisher said local hotels have to be deliberate about pricing.

“You know, we play part in that strategy and try to ensure that we are business smart in capturing the rate that is in line with the market, but with the limited supply that we currently have, we make sure we adjust accordingly,” Swisher said.

For visiting families and IU fans, the price tag can be hard to manage.

“During busy weekends, they’re not that reasonable,” said IU student Grace Laufer. “It’s not realistic for everybody to afford $500 a night, but I guess that’s the demand.”

Those high prices don’t stop fans from coming, but they make planning ahead even more important.

With the city’s limited number of rooms, the best strategy is to book early, weeks or even months in advance.

“I would definitely tell them to book it far in advance to make sure they get reasonable rates,” Laufer said. “Otherwise, they’ll be paying, like, $500 a night or more.”

Swisher agreed that booking early is essential.

“I think for us right now, for the best rate, book as soon as you are certain of your travel plans,” he said.

Photos from IU homecoming 2025

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For those who can’t find a hotel room or want a cheaper option, Bloomington has hundreds of Airbnbs and short-term rentals spread across the city.

While they offer flexibility and space, they are not immune to high-demand pricing. During big weekends, Airbnb rates can double or triple, often matching hotel prices. Still, for larger groups or longer stays, they remain a practical alternative.

Bloomington’s tourism industry continues to expand, and city officials are working to add capacity. Plans are underway for a new hotel as part of the Monroe Convention Center expansion.

As Bloomington’s crowds grow and continue to fill the streets, the city’s hotels will keep working to meet demand. For visitors, it’s become part of the Bloomington experience: planning early, booking early and hoping to find a room before they sell out.