Top Tailgating Tips

  • Make your Guest List: Who you party with is the number one ingredient in determining the outcome of a party. Invite friends who really want to be there. Invite friends who like to cook, drink responsibly, and love to catch up on the “inside scoop”.
  • Know your Venue: Know the tailgating rules for the stadium you’re heading to before game day. Are you tailgating in open/free spaces or are you tailgating in a reserved lot? How early can you park? What time do the gates open? Checking the location where you are planning to do your tailgating should be done a day before you plan to party.
  • Know your equipment: Are grills, smokers and fryers allowed? Be sure to test out your grilling ‘equipment’ before leaving home. Remember the necessities to have your grill, smoker or fryer work properly. Make sure the propane tanks are full. You’ll also want to bring your favorite grilling accessories like tongs and plenty of paper goods for serving.
  • Plan your Menu. Go to our Menus and Recipes page for ideas (menus, recipes…). Remember that keeping things simple makes for the best parties.
  • Pre-Game Prep: Prep and marinate meat ahead of time and keep on ice during transportation to ensure freshness. Prep the food at least a day before the game. Separating your raw meats and your ready-to-eat foods and beverages should be observed. You should have a separate cooler for each of them in order to avoid bad smells and spoiling the food.
  • Complete your Checklist It is more advisable to the beginners to have freeze-bottled water or drinks to be use for cooling rather than putting loose ice. In this way, you can observe cleanliness and orderliness while tailgating. There will be no water scattering on the floor because of the loose and melted ice.
  • Dress in Team Colors. Wear a jersey, hat or sweatshirt. Leave no doubt about your team loyalty. Set the example for your friends and neighbors. Make sure you have the licensed gear and accessories that you need. Team Accessories.
  • Timing is So Important—Get Started Early. Arrive early to start up the grill so that it’s fired-up by the time other tailgaters arrive. Choose a spot with green grass if possible. Make sure you secure plenty of space to accommodate your guests. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time after the game.
  • Fly a flags on a very high pole so that it will be easy for your friends to find you. (You can also balloons). Make sure the whole crowd can see and hear your team spirit
  • Execute your plan. You’ve put so much effort into your party by now. Just stick to your game plan and have fun. Remember to that the Food should be ready 1 – 1 ½ hours before the game starts.
  • Meet your Tailgate Neighbors. Engage everyone around you by offering food samplers and drinks. Sharing is long known to bring a Team Victory.
  • Tailgating Entertainment: You’ve got the grill and the food down pat, but don’t forget about tailgating entertainment, like a battery-operated stereo for parking lot music, generator to power a TV for pre-game coverage, or even a football, frisbee or Tailgate Toss set to play before the game starts.
  • Before you leave your Party for The Game: Before heading into the stadium, make sure the grill is completely extinguished, coals are cooled and disposed and you’ve cleaned up your tailgating area. Remove the ashes and keep them in a heavy-duty foil and dip them completely in water before allowing it to be placed in a container. Bring extra trash bags along so you won’t have to search for a garbage can.
  • Post Game Procedures: The game is over. You’ve put a lot of time into your Tailgate party. Don’t be in a rush to join the Rush Hour traffic leaving the Game. It is much better to relax and have a Post Game snack. Encourage your friends to do the same.Leave area clean. Begin thinking about food and friends for the next game. Make sure every vehicle has a designated driver. NOTE: if you don’t have enough designated drivers, call a cab. You’ll be glad you did the next day!