The roar of the crowd, the smell of sizzling burgers and the joy of gathering with friends — there’s nothing quite like a tailgate party to kick off game day in style! Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just love the camaraderie, hosting a tailgate is the perfect way to embrace the excitement of football season. You’re never too old to throw a good tailgate party, and now that you have “adult money,” you can afford to show those college kids how to do it right. With a few simple tips, you can throw a tailgate that combines timeless traditions with a touch of comfort and class, creating unforgettable memories long after the final whistle blows.
Any tailgate worth the moniker will have four things in common: Food, drinks, games and fun. To throw a memorable shindig, you’ll want to have more than some frozen burgers slapped on a portable grill. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Food
The trick to hosting a party without missing out on the fun is to make at least some of the comestibles ahead of time. Serving food out of the back of your car in a crowded parking lot adds an element of difficulty to this, but with the right preparation you can make it look easy.
Mainstays
When planning what to make, keep the food quick, convenient and easy to eat. (You’ll want your guests to be able to stand and eat, hold their drink, and socialize at the same time.) Typical tailgate fare like burgers, grinders, brats, hotdogs and wings fit into this category. You can cook them on a portable grill if that’s your style; just make sure it’s big enough to prepare a sizable batch in a single grilling session. Air fryers like the Ninja have completely changed the game on quick and easy food prep. They take four minutes to perfectly cook eight hot dogs at once, leaving you no smoke or hot coals to contend with. They’re also fantastic for making crispy wings in no time at all. (You just need to make sure you can plug it in somewhere, like your car.)
If you don’t want to be on grill duty, prepare something that can be made ahead of time and kept warm in a portable slow cooker. Meals that lend themselves well to this method are chili, slow-cooked brisket, meatballs or even pork ribs.
Delicious Sides
People like to munch throughout the day, so providing plenty of options will keep everyone happy. You can never go wrong with a chips and dip smorgasbord, especially if queso or 5-layer dips are on the table. (Speaking of tables, you’re going to want at least one, so there is somewhere to lay out the food. We’ve found that folding camping tables with built-in storage underneath, like the Goplus brand available on Amazon, are fantastic for tailgating because you have everything you need right there but out of the way.)
Other options include pasta salad, Buffalo chicken dip, cole slaw and devilled eggs. And don’t forget desserts! Brownies and cupcakes are always crowd-pleasers, and they’re easy to decorate with team colors.
Drinks
Whether you’re serving alcohol or not, don’t skimp on the beverages. Many people enjoy the ease of bringing closed containers (i.e. bottles or cans) because they’re grab-and-go, but for an upscale tailgate you can’t go wrong with a signature cocktail (or two). Bloody marys and mimosas are fun for morning tailgates, and you can dress them up by having different garnishes on hand. As the weather gets chillier, an Autumn Old Fashioned might be perfect for warming up the crowds. And be sure to provide plenty of nonalcoholic options like water, sodas or even a mocktail; hydration is important!
Games
No tailgate party is complete without a few games to play and pass the time. Cornhole is fairly standard at this point, and there are plenty of compact travel versions available for those who don’t want to lug around the heavy wooden variety. Another fun option is Ladder Ball, as long as you’re careful not to lob the projectiles into someone else’s area. Beer Pong is a hit if you’ve got a table to spare (and don’t worry — you can play with water if you don’t want to drink like a college kid); flip cup is another timeless option. Basically, any good yard game lends itself well to a tailgate party.
For calmer games, consider packing a deck of cards, a cribbage board or something like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (if you haven’t played this card game, it costs less than $10 and is great fun.)
Go the Extra Mile for Fun
If you haven’t been to a big sporting event recently, you might be shocked at the elaborate lengths some people go for their tailgating shenanigans. For one thing, it has become relatively common to bring outdoor LED displays or TVs to set up so people can watch the game live. (Yes, it seems odd to watch the game on TV in the parking lot rather than, you know, in the actual arena… but whatever.)
To add the final touch, bring some decorations! Some streamers, some posters and some silly party favors will bring it all together for a tailgate people won’t forget.
Packing Checklist
- Coolers — You’ll need to dedicate at least one cooler to transport your food and a second cooler for ice and beverages.
- Tables — Camping tables or folding tables are ideal. It’s helpful to have one dedicated to food and another for drinks (like the coolers). If you want to be fancy, bring a few small side tables for people to put their drinks on.
- Chairs — Foldable camping chairs are the norm, but if you have a truck for transport you could go wild with even more comfortable options. Worst case scenario: Bring blankets or towels people can sit on.
- Disposable tableware — Prep and clean-up will be simplified by using disposable everything: casserole trays, plates, bowls, utensils, napkins, tablecloths and cups.
- Cooking implements — Whether this is a grill, an air fryer or a portable slow cooker, be sure you have whatever fuel and utensils you’ll need to safely operate it.
- Games — Bring a few options. Don’t forget the Solo cups.
- Portable speaker — For playing music, of course.
- Permanent marker — For labeling cups and food items (you can write right on the plastic tablecloth!)
- Hand wipes
- Garbage bags (for easy cleanup)
- Ice
- Food
- Drinks
- Decorations
Top photo by Monkey Business Images, via Canva.com.
