Tailgating Gear: What to Bring to a Tailgate Party [Checklist PDF]

Tailgating is a fun way to commemorate your favorite team, sporting event, or musical performance. Whether for a football game, a baseball game, a concert, a music festival, or another event, tailgate parties are an excellent way for friends and family to begin the festivities early.                      

Tailgate gatherings are an annual North American tradition in which millions participate. But before you venture out to the stadium parking lot with a cooler, you should double-check what to bring to a tailgate party for a memorable experience!

We've compiled a tailgating gear checklist with a PDF version you can print and transport to any tailgate party. It will ensure you have everything to bring to a tailgate party, including the basic tailgating gear, kitchen supplies, food and beverages, cleaning essentials, and entertainment items. In addition, we highly recommend Jackery Solar Generators for powering your electronics, so you no longer have to be concerned about running out of power during tailgating.   

Tailgate Checklist PDF

Use this tailgating gear checklist to ensure you have everything you need before attending the tailgate party, and you will feel confident and well-prepared when planning your tailgating stuff gathering. Listed below are recommendations for improving the efficacy of lists.     

Tailgating Gear List: How can you ensure you have everything you need for your tailgate celebration in the trunk of your vehicle? By adhering to our tailgating equipment list, you can focus on tailgating well and savoring the party without worrying about something being forgotten; this will never occur with this list.          

Checklist Instructions: Even if you have a list, you may need to pay attention to something regardless of your level of tailgating. Verify that you have packed everything before departing for the celebration. Avoid removing items from the list because they were discovered in the larder. They are not marked until after they have been packaged. If not, you could still abandon your plans.

Printable Checklist PDF: Review the printable tailgating checklist PDF, then add or remove items as necessary. A PDF version is available for distribution below. Once you have created your version of the tailgate essentials list, you can use it each time to remind you what to bring to a tailgate party.

>>Download The Tailgating Gear Checklist PDF

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party?

Tailgating, or a tailgate party, is a pre-event social gathering that typically takes place in the parking lot of an arena, stadium, or venue. The pre-game party typically includes music, food, beverages, and games to start an unforgettable day.  

Tailgating is also known as pre-gaming and serves as a prelude to the primary event. It's a massive deal in the States; eighty percent of Americans celebrate the annual holiday. Tailgate necessities are required for a memorable pre-game celebration. With the items on this list, your tailgating experience will be optimal. Regarding what to bring to the tailgate party, there are six categories of necessities:

- Basic Tailgating Gear: The items that you must take to any tailgate party;

- Tailgating Kitchen Gear: The equipment or appliances that can cook or make food;

- Tailgating Foods & Drinks: The popular snacks and drinks that everyone likes;

- Tailgating Power Gear: This gear should provide electricity to the tailgating appliances;

- Entertainment Gear: Add more fun and laughs to the tailgate party.

- Tailgating Cleanup Gear: The essentials that help to clean up the leftovers and trash;

Most of us picture a crowded parking lot on game day as we think of tailgating. We imagine merriment, enjoyment, and an endless supply of snacks. Even though tailgating is about living in the present, a little preparation can go a long way. Continue reading for more information on what to bring to a tailgate party.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Basic Gear

The benefit of tailgating is that you are guaranteed a good time regardless of how your favorite team performs. A parking lot party can be ideal with friends, music, food, drinks, and games.

If you have never organized a football tailgate, you will need a checklist to ensure you don't neglect any necessities. For this reason, we have compiled a beginner's guide to tailgating - the blueprint for the optimal game day experience. Here is an essentials list for the tailgate itself:

What to bring to a tailgate party remains the same whether you throw your first party for football season or your 12th annual game day gathering. You need a location that provides shade and shelter from the ever-changing fall weather, fresh food that keeps guests full all day, and seating that provides the essential back support that all adults require to endure an entire day of applauding.

Kick-off tailgating season this fall with all the necessary practical gear to commemorate your team in style. The above essential tailgating equipment will keep your tailgating crew comfortable and content. Regarding the kitchen and food-related items, continue perusing!

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Kitchen Gear

If you are a member of this magnificent and passionate culture, you know how competitive tailgating is as a sport. Anyone can don team colors and foam fingers, but it takes courage to set up a field kitchen in a parking lot and serve guests all day and night. It also requires tailgating gear.

We know you're here for the cuisine, regardless of how much you support your favorite team. While we can all concur that eating tailgating snacks is half the fun, there is one debate we need help to resolve: should we cook food in advance or prepare it on-site? The answer to this age-old query is up to you, but if you want to cook in the parking lot, you'll need the following tailgating culinary equipment:

Undoubtedly, grilling is the best aspect of tailgating gatherings. For the ultimate tailgating experience, you must grill your wings, ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers in the rear of your truck or SUV. However, the sort of grill you use is crucial. You must select one that is portable, simple to move, and the appropriate size and style. It must also be legal and secure for tailgating.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Foods & Drinks

Many foods associated with tailgating can be weighty, but you don't want your favorite snacks to weigh you down when celebrating.

Even if you are not participating in the big game, there are numerous tailgating activities to appreciate, and you should be wide awake when your team takes the field. Plan tailgating foods that are enjoyable and won't slow you down.

At your next tailgate, provide the vegans in your life with all the options they could desire. Every once in a while, we all deserve to indulge, and tailgating day is the ideal time.

If you intend to cook at the game, choose foods that grill quickly, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken. If you are preparing food at home, transport it in a container that will keep it burning. The pork butt and brisket can be brought whole and then split or pulled on-site, as accurate cuts retain heat more effectively.

When barbecuing in the sun, hydration is essential. As necessary as the food is for establishing the mood at a tailgate, ensure you have a variety of beverages to suit all tastes.

Are you mixing beverages? Try constructing a "car bar" with a small shoe rack in your trunk. When you arrive, place your bottles on the upper shelf for easy access by everyone. Even simpler, you can prepare pitchers of cocktails the night before and transfer them into individual serving jars. Then, please place them in your container with other beverages on game day.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Power Gear

Serious tailgaters must transport a portable generator to the stadium parking lot to keep the grills sizzling and the sound systems blaring all day. Whether you're a low-key tailgater who needs a generator to charge phones and speakers or a die-hard fan who rises early to set up a grill, TV, fans, and slow cooker, the proper generator can make or break game day.

Jackery is the leading manufacturer of portable power stations, solar panels, and solar generators. Jackery Solar Generators combine solar panels with portable power stations to convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power tailgating equipment such as a portable grill, mini cooler, and television.

The Jackery Solar Generators are constructed and designed with an emphasis on usability. The only requirement is connecting the Jackery Solar Panels to the Portable Power Stations. Solar panels produce energy when exposed to sunlight.

The solar charging line enables the transmission of electrical energy to Portable Power Stations, which is converted into a form capable of powering various devices. The surplus electricity generated will be stored locally.

Connect the Portable power stations to the device to be charged or utilized. Automatic energy transfer will occur between your device and the power source. The complete procedure is uncomplicated. Learn more about Jackery Solar Generators in the forthcoming section!

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Entertainment Gear

With large screens for movies, dance parties, and even hot tubs, tailgate parties offer a new level of amusement. With the proper family and friends, you may not require additional fun.  

A celebration is only complete with entertainment. Here, we recommend bringing games such as beer pong, corn hole, and jenga to the gathering. A deck of cards and plastic containers are also necessities. However, there are many other games worthy of consideration. This incorporates some of the items listed below.

A Bluetooth portable speaker is ideal for bringing your favorite music to the tailgate. Just remember to charge it before the tailgate so that it will last! Jackery Portable Power Stations are ideal for keeping most of your tailgate appliances powered throughout the party.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Cleanup Gear

Bring everything you'll need to clean up the debris, as tailgating is over once it's done. It would be best to leave the area in better condition than you discovered.

As the game time approaches, remember to clear your area before entering the stadium. Pack plastic containers and aluminum foil to preserve residual food or snacks, and label each container with a permanent marker. Keep hand sanitizer, wipes, paper towels, and trash bags on hand to make cleanup pleasurable.

Pay attention to the necessary trash bags and cans to maintain a clean environment. If it is more convenient, bags can be hung from the corner of a canopy or placed in a plastic garbage can.

Don't throw out those excess burger patties or other food! You want to avoid attracting pests to your tailgate site or squandering edible food. Bring a roll of aluminum foil and send it with your visitors to their automobiles, or preserve it for later use.

Jackery Solar Generators & Power Stations for Tailgating

Jackery Solar Generators make tailgating easier by removing the usual power limitations that come with outdoor setups. Instead of relying on noisy gas generators or cutting back on appliances, you get clean, quiet, and consistent power for cooking, entertainment, lighting, and device charging in one portable station. This allows tailgaters to focus on the game-day experience itself and let power stations keep appliances powered from pre-game through kickoff without interruptions or fumes.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus

If you are a tailgater who treats game day like a full outdoor event, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus supports high-demand setups without compromise. It can power electric grills, slow cookers, large TVs, sound systems, and lighting simultaneously, making it suitable for long pre-game gatherings and post-game hangouts. Its large capacity and stable output allow everything to run together without managing loads or rotating devices.

Appliances Running Time

• Electric Grill (1000W) = 2.9H
• Mini Fridge (60W) = 37.2H
• Bluetooth Speaker (30W) = 58.6H
• Portable TV (100W) = 25.0H
• Lights (20W) = 72.5H

Who Should Buy This

If your tailgate includes electric cooking, multiple appliances, and all-day power needs for a large group, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus with a large battery capacity is the most suitable option.

Customer Review

The area where I live has outages several times a year. Every time this happens, I have to get out of bed, go get the gas generator out of the garage, and hook it up to the sump pump and the refrigerator. Now with my Jackery 3600, I just plug it into the sump and quit worrying about it. It has definitely put me at ease.

— Ronnie M.

Jackery HomePower 3000

For tailgates that rely on powered gear, the Jackery HomePower 3000 acts as a reliable battery backup solution rather than an accessory. It allows multiple appliances, such as cooking equipment, a TV, speakers, and lights, to run at the same time without constant monitoring or device swapping. The quiet operation keeps the focus on the game and the group, and the consistent output supports longer tailgates where power needs don’t drop after the first hour. It has dual-sided handles that make it easier to transport from one place to another.

Appliances Running Time

• Electric Grill (1000W) = 2.6H
• Mini Fridge (60W) = 31.8H
• Bluetooth Speaker (30W) = 50.2H
• Portable TV (100W) = 21.4H
• Lights (20W) = 62.2H

Who Should Buy This

If your tailgating setup includes several powered appliances that need to run together for most of the day, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is a suitable option.

Customer Review

Love it!! My new camping buddy. First thing in the morning it charged the trailer batteries, made a pot of coffee and kept it warm and ran the microwave. All without going out in the cold and starting the camp disturbing generator!

— Bret R.

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station 

The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is designed for tailgaters who need strong, consistent power but still want portability. It comfortably handles cooking appliances, speakers, TVs, and charging stations at the same time, making it ideal for mid-size tailgates. It works well when you want reliable performance without stepping into oversized or permanent power solutions. It also features a foldable handle with a compact design for easier transportation.

Appliances Running Time

• Electric Grill (1000W) = 1.6H
• Mini Fridge (60W) = 21.5H
• Bluetooth Speaker (30W) = 34.9H
• Portable TV (100W) = 14.2H
• Lights (20W) = 44.1H

Who Should Buy This

If you want dependable power for cooking, entertainment, and charging at a medium-sized tailgate without overspending on excess capacity, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station fits well.

Customer Review

I was very impressed with how nicely this is made. After charging it, I used it to run my small rock tumbler, mostly to get familiar with the display symbols and buttons. Then I put it on the front patio for Halloween and hooked the lights and creepy music up to see if I could find everything in low light conditions. Also did coffee and ran the hotplate.

— Tracy M.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station suits smaller or more mobile tailgates where space and simplicity matter. It reliably powers TVs, speakers, lights, and personal devices, covering the essentials without unnecessary bulk. Its compact size makes it easy to transport and quick to set up, while still offering enough output for a solid game-day experience. If you need more power in the future, you can expand the battery capacity of the power station by adding battery packs.

Appliances Running Time

• Electric Grill (1000W) = 1.0H
• Mini Fridge (60W) = 13.3H
• Bluetooth Speaker (30W) = 21.6H
• Portable TV (100W) = 8.8H
• Lights (20W) = 27.3H

Who Should Buy This

If your tailgate is compact and focused on entertainment and basic comfort rather than heavy cooking, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus is the right choice.

Customer Review

The Solar Generator 1000 Plus with 2x 100W Solar Panels is just a perfect fit and keeps us powered outdoors while away from any power grid. Sufficient to power a 50-quart fridge 24/7 and additionally a coffee maker (1150 W) in the morning, and of course, all our gear, which needs a USB charge from time to time.

— M.W.

What Not to Bring to A Tailgate Party?

Some individuals consider a gathering complete with a cold brew. However, it is problematic to transport a 15-gallon drum of beer to a tailgate party. Many colleges prohibit kegs on campus, including the picnicking area in the stadium's parking lot. The same applies to beer bongs and other items that promote accelerated alcohol consumption.  

For many individuals, the grill is the focal point of tailgating. Placing a 10-pound pork loin rib roast over hot embers is primitively gratifying and incredibly impressive. There is also the difficulty of cooking swine outdoors. Saving time by partially cooking meat at home and completing it on the grill poses a safety risk. This effort is not conducive to tailgating. And remember transportation logistics: a piece of flesh that size requires its cooler.

Final Thoughts

If you plan and pack appropriately, you will be ready to make this tailgate one for the record books. Indeed, you can use this tailgating equipment checklist to determine what to bring to a tailgate party. And pay attention to getting a Jackery Solar Generator to power larger capacities of tailgating essentials. By utilizing renewable energy, our tailgating generator is environmentally friendly!