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United Airlines kicks off new flights to powerhouse schools for serious Houston college football fans

Score some serious football travel with these new flights.

Photo courtesy of United Airlines

As September nears, red-blooded (and orange-blooded and purple-and-gold-blooded) college football fans are prepping to travel to rep their respective alma maters. In fact, a new airline study finds that more than 80 percent of serious college football fans are likely to fly to see a game this season.

To fill the need for University of Texas Longhorns, Louisiana State University Tigers, and more who’re ready to jet to away games, United Airlines has added 120 new flights to its schedule and connections to more than 45 away games.

Collegiate powerhouse destinations include Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan. Tickets are on sale now in the United app and United online.

Travelers can now add these as connectors or potential routes. Here are some highlights specifically for Houston-area fans, by game and new flight dates to nearby and schools with large groups of alumnae here:

September 10: University of Alabama at UT
Two direct, round-trip flights (September 9-11) between Austin and Birmingham, Alabama

September 17: University of Oklahoma at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Direct, round-trip flight (September 16-18) between Oklahoma City and Lincoln, Nebraska

October 8 University of Tennessee at LSU
Direct, round-trip flight (October 7-9) between Knoxville, Tennessee and Baton Rouge, Louisiana

November 5: University of Alabama at LSU
Round-trip, direct flight (November 4-6) between Birmingham and Baton Rouge

November 26: University of Notre Dame at University of Southern California
Direct, round-trip flight (November 25-27) between Los Angeles and South Bend, Indiana

“College football fans love following their team on the road and this year we’re making it easier than ever,” said Michael Weeks, United’s managing director of domestic schedule development and publication, in a statement. “We’re flying nonstop to some of the most historic football towns in the country, including South Bend, Columbus and Baton Rouge, and also significantly expanding our service on the west coast to help more PAC 12 fans travel to cheer on their teams.”

Visit United online for a full list of new college powerhouse-bound flights and fares.

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Far West Texas city recognized as a top travel destination for 2026

Photo by Raul Miranda on Unsplash

El Paso was named one of the "Rising Star Destinations" to book for a vacation in 2026.

A new 2026 Travel Trends Forecast from vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has unveiled the top U.S. cities that are on travelers' minds for the next year, and one unsuspecting far West Texas city was included on the list: El Paso.

El Paso was named one of six most sought-after "Rising Star Destinations" in the Southwest and Mountain West regions. Search trends revealed traveler interest in El Paso skyrocketed 191 percent year-over-year, with vacationers pining after "desert landscapes" and "frontier-style towns with modern Western flair."

To determine where travelers are planning on booking their 2026 vacations, HomeToGo surveyed 1,000 American adults from November 26-28, 2025 to discover which locales offer "both affordability and under-the-radar appeal." Search interest and price insights were based on observed searches executed via HomeToGo's website from August 1-November 15, 2025, with a check-in date during 2026.

The reports findings show the vacation accommodations in El Paso cost a median $62.21 per night, earning the city a reputation for being more affordable than Texas' major cities like Dallas or Houston. HomeToGo also said travelers are "increasingly turning to smaller [Southwestern] towns" to find accommodations rather than booking a stay at a large resort.

Additionally, younger travelers like Gen Zers and Millennials are driving the shift toward these hidden gem destinations after collecting inspiration from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

"Western destinations are seeing a rise in interest, fueled by a broader cultural moment that has placed such locations firmly in the spotlight," the report's author wrote. "In 2025, artists such as Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter brought fresh takes on the visual language of country music firmly into the mainstream, with this movement further amplified across social media platforms."

There's plenty to do in the self-proclaimed "Sun City," such as hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park or Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visiting local museums, and much more.

Other top "Neo-Western Revival" destinations to visit in 2026 include:

Marana, Arizona
Cañon City, Colorado
Yucca Valley, California
Queen Creek, Arizona
Bisbee, Arizona

"According to the survey findings, 76 percent of U.S. travelers plan to go on vacation in 2026, with over a quarter (26 percent) actively booking longer and more extravagant breaks," the report said. "Fifty-seven percent plan to spend more on vacations in comparison to 2025, indicating that the appetite for travel is clearly growing."

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