The American Football House is now an Airbnb

The Beatles aren’t the only band connected to a new Airbnb. The American Football House in Urbana, which the band purchased last year alongside their label Polyvinyl Records, Atiba Jefferson, Chris Strong, and Open House Contemporary, is available now on Airbnb to book a getaway and experience some emo history. The description reads:

Welcome to the historic West Urbana neighborhood of Urbana, Illinois! Whether you’re here to draw inspiration from the musical origins of our 131-year old home or bask in the quiet comfort of a tree-lined brick street, The American Football House offers a unique and memorable stay. The quaint, two-story, three-bedroom house is a short three-block walk from campus and has been recently remodeled.

Our Story:

704 W. High St. is a single-family home nestled on a tree-lined brick street in the historic West Urbana neighborhood of Urbana, Illinois. The white clapboard house, built in 1893, has housed local families and students for over a century from its location just off-campus from the University of Illinois.

In 1999, local artist and 704 W. High St. resident Chris Strong photographed the front facade of the house. Later that year, local band American Football would use the photo as the cover of their debut record. In the 25 years since American Football’s album release, this unassuming home has famously become a monument to not only the band, but every fan who listened to their era-defining album that cemented its quaint exterior as iconic midwest imagery. A carved “X” once marked the spot on the sidewalk where Strong stood to take the original photo, and where fans of the band have since stood themselves to recreate it.

Throughout its storied history 704 W. High St. has hosted decades of house parties and punk shows all around the property – from a (now bygone) halfpipe in the backyard to the low-ceilinged basement and everywhere in between. It was even rebuilt digitally inside Minecraft as the official venue for one of the first virtual concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing people together at a time when they simply couldn’t be otherwise.

In May 2023, the property was purchased by the members of American Football, as well as Chris Strong, Polyvinyl Records, Open House Contemporary, and Atiba Jefferson to protect the house from developers and potential demolition.

The love and attention bestowed upon this humble three-bedroom dwelling over the years has made The American Football House more special than we ever could have imagined.

By preserving the 130+ year-old house and opening it up for artists, creative retreats, events, and nightly stays, we hope this indelible space will continue to inspire others for many years to come–right here in the community that gave shape to its unique legacy.

You can book your stay and see more pictures of the interior, exterior, backyard, etc at Airbnb.

American Football are also in the midst of celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1999 debut album. They’re playing it in full on tour, and also releasing a 25th anniversary edition with covers of every song on the album by Iron & Wine, Manchester Orchestral, Ethel Cain, Blondshell, and more. The tour hits NYC on October 26 and 27 at Warsaw. All dates are listed below.

The American Football house is also featured in the 2014 music video for “Never Meant”:

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American Football — 2024 Tour Dates
09/11 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City #
09/12 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom #
09/13 – Bristol, UK @ SWX #
09/14 – London, UK @ Roundhouse # [SOLD OUT]
09/27 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall % [SOLD OUT]
09/28 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall ^ [SOLD OUT]
10/11 – Las Vegas, NV @ Best Friends Forever Festival
10/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre ~ [SOLD OUT]
10/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre * [SOLD OUT]
10/24 – Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre !
10/25 – Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre + [SOLD OUT]
10/26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw # [SOLD OUT]
10/27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw = [SOLD OUT]
11/16 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Corona Capital Festival

# w/ Hello Mary
% w/ BNNY
^ w/ Wishy
~ w/ Yvette Young
* w/ M.A.G.S.
! w/ Sweet Pill
+ w/ Aunt Katrina
= w/ IAN SWEET