FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — As the Ryder Cup descends upon Bethpage Black Golf Course this week, residents of the unassuming Long Island communities surrounding the public track are cashing in big-time.
Farmingdale, where Bethpage is located, has a population of roughly 8,500, and the highly anticipated U.S. vs. Europe team golf competition is expecting crowds of 50,000-plus per day over the weekend. So, it’s no surprise the short-term rental market is booming well beyond the town’s borders.
In the weeks leading up to the Ryder Cup, which tees off Friday, Airbnbs and Vrbos that were still available in the area were going for as high as $30,000 for the four nights bookending the three-day event.
Booked revenue for short-term rentals this week in Farmingdale, Babylon, Bayshore, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, Patchogue, and Smithtown totals $2.12 million, which is up 345% compared to the same week last year, according to data provided to Front Office Sports by rental analytics company AirDNA.
Across Long Island, demand for short-term rentals is 87% higher than Sept. 23–28, 2024. In Farmingdale, specifically, the average nightly rate for the week is about $455, up 145% compared to last year.
From Georgia to New York
The impact the Ryder Cup is having on the Long Island short-term rental market is similar to what Augusta sees each April.
Short-term rentals in the Augusta area accounted for $8.5 million in booked revenue for the seven days surrounding The Masters this year, and an estimated $20 million throughout the entire month of April.
