Football Tailgate: Traditions, Tips, Foods and Games

Over the years, tailgating has evolved from a simple pregame gathering at the football events to an important part of the sports and entertainment experience. Tailgating traces its roots in American football, like the football events, and has become a form of enjoyment. Fans generally arrive at the stadium early and bring snacks (or drinks) to share with fellow sports enthusiasts.

If you're looking to throw the football events tailgating party, this ultimate guide is all you'll need. Here, we will walk you through the history and culture of tailgating at the football events, along with preparation tips, foods, games, entertainment, etiquette, and regulations. In addition, you'll learn how to power appliances when you tailgate at the football games.

History of Tailgating at Football Games

The history of tailgating at the football games in America tends to trace its roots back to the Civil War. During the summer of 1861, the locals packed a picnic not to watch a game of catch but to watch the First Battle of Bull Run. The first tailgate party occurred in New Jersey in a football game in 1869.

In the late 19th century, horse-drawn carriages arrived early at college football to view the game and picnic together. They would set up picnics on dry roads or grassy areas. In modern times, these tailgate games have evolved drastically and often include extravagant setups with grills, tents, TV broadcasting, and other games.

While tailgating is not allowed at the football games as the event is held at a stadium and not in a parking lot, there are some designated areas around the stadium where anyone can tailgate before the game. Some of America's football games traditions include beer, wings, and shopping.

The Culture of Tailgating

Tailgate parties (or tailgating) are one of the traditions Americans love. The tailgate culture includes drinking, eating, and attending a huge entertainment event. At these parties, attendees of the football game events arrive early and party in the parking lot. These typically occur a few hours before the game and involve grilling food and drinking alcoholic beverages. Fans from all over the US come together to revel in their team spirit and even create lasting memories through tailgating.

Preparation and Tips for Tailgating

Tailgating is about delicious food, enjoying good company, and celebrating your favorite team. It's essential to prepare yourself with the necessary supplies for a successful tailgate party. Here are some football tailgate tips to prepare for the party.

Select the Right Spot: First, you must decide the right spot for football events tailgating. You can look for a campsite near the football games stadium or a local park for tailgating. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the game-day excitement while surrounded by nature.

What to Bring: While tailgating, you'll need to carry all the essential items that you might need to the tailgate area. For example, a few warm towels, a canopy tent, plates, a lighter, a bottle opener, a cooler, cups, electric grills, TVs, microwaves, cooking stoves, heating/cooling appliances, Jackery Solar Generators, and chairs for a comfortable party.

Safety Considerations: Tailgating season undoubtedly brings a lot of fun. However, you'll need to keep a few safety tips in mind. For example, you must keep a first aid kit and fire extinguisher on hand. In addition, avoid gathering crowds and invite guests that you can safely handle.

Popular Tailgating Foods and Recipes

Tailgating is incomplete without delicious food. But what kind of tailgate foods can you bring to the parking lot? Here are a few classic and popular football game foods you should try.

Italian Sandwich: The sturdy Italian bread is layered with meats, veggies, and cheeses, making this sandwich a perfect lunch idea or even a tailgate snack.

• To make the Italian dressing, just combine olive oil, parmesan, garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, and vinegar in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
• Then, cut the loaf of bread lengthwise so you can open the loaf like a book.
• Hollow out about 1 inch of the bread and spread mayonnaise on the cut side.
• Arrange the salami slices in even layers and then repeat with capicola, mortadella, provolone, and pepperoni.
• Add the toppings and carefully fold the top part of the bread on the top of the veggies.

Football Cookies: They're the perfect sweet snack for game day and can be served as football events desserts. Here's the tailgate recipe:

• Start by preheating the cooking oven to 350° and beating the butter and sugar in the bowl until it becomes light and fluffy.
• Now, whisk the flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Keep the mixer on medium-low and add the flour mixture until mixed. Make sure to stir in pecans and beat until the dough clumps together.
• Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, followed by dividing the dough into one-and-a-half tablespoon balls. Press these footballs onto the baking sheet so the bottom side becomes flattened.
• Lastly, bake the cookies until the dough is set, and then transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack. If you wish to decorate the cookies, consider whisking together the powdered sugar and two tablespoons of water in a small bowl to form the icing.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: The crispy, melty mozzarella sticks are a popular tailgate recipe, especially during tailgate season.

• First, cut the cheese sticks in half, crosswise, and keep it aside. Start whisking together the eggs and water in a small bowl.
• Take another bowl and combine panko, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. In the third bowl, combine the salt, flour, and pepper.
• Now, dip each cheese stick into the eggs and then dredge in the flour mixture, followed by dipping in eggs. Dredge the breadcrumb mixture, press the coat well, and freeze it well for 30 minutes. Repeat the step and freeze for 30 minutes again.
• Preheat the air fryer to about 390° and spray the cooking spray. Keep coating the frozen sticks and cook them for 6-7 minutes until they become brown and crispy.

Some of the other hearty, delicious, and easy-to-eat dishes perfect for tailgate parties at the football events include buffalo chicken wings, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chili, nachos, macaroni and cheese, sausage and peppers, popcorn, chips and dips, pulled pork sandwiches, and cookies.

Games and Entertainment at Tailgate Parties

If you are wondering how to keep your tailgate guests entertained between cold beers and hot dogs, here are a few football game entertainment tips to try.

Cornhole: At your tailgate party, set up a cornhole game with bean bags and two boards. It's a classic tailgate game where guests toss the bean bags and aim to land them in the holes for points.

Tailgate Trivia: You can prepare a list of sports-related trivia questions, divide the guests into different teams, and then host a tailgate trivia contest. If you want to make the game more exciting, offer small prices for all the successful throws.

Music & Karaoke: Consider bringing a portable Bluetooth speaker and creating a playlist with everyone's favorite songs. To add fun, encourage the guests to have karaoke sessions and host a musical tailgate party.

Football Toss Challenge: You can even create a football toss challenge with a target set up at different distances. Guests can play this tailgate game by aiming to hit the target and score points.

Tailgating Etiquette and Regulations

Tailgating is the time when you spend the weekends cheering for your favorite team and enjoying the company of your friends. Here are some tailgating etiquette and football game regulations you must follow for a successful party.

• A good host should always keep first aid handy with appropriate items for treating scrapes or bruises.  
• When it's time to pack everything and head to the gaming, make sure to clean the place. Make sure the garbage and leftover food is cleaned so it won't attract scavengers.
• Be respectful while cheering for your team. Instead of purposely disrupting things, show support by wearing team flags as well as foam fingers.
• While playing games, make sure you're respectful of the others tailgating in your vicinity.
• If grilling is part of the tailgate setup, you'll need to check the area's local fire codes and restrictions.
• Sometimes, tailgating parties may require permits, especially if they block street or parking lot sections.

Tailgating at the football game is expected to adhere to strict rules and regulations. This means rowdy behavior, excessively loud music, and other activities that might disrupt the peace can lead to penalties.

Impact of Tailgating on Local Economy

Tailgating can directly contribute to the local economy of the hosting city and can attract more visitors, thereby creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Strategic partnerships with beverages, food, games, and gear can increase the profits of the parking lot and positively impact the host city.

Jackery Solar Generators for Tailgating at Football Games

Whether you want to run Bluetooth speakers and lights for entertainment and games or electric grills and microwaves to cook delicious tailgate foods, all you need is a reliable and powerful Jackery Solar Generator. The solar generator combines portable power stations and solar panels to collect, convert, and supply electricity to tailgate appliances. These power stations have multiple output ports, supporting the powering of many appliances simultaneously. Here are some top choices for powering tailgating appliances at the football events.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus

For large football tailgates where food preparation, entertainment, and lighting run simultaneously, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus delivers stable, high-capacity power without noise or fumes. It can run electric grills, slow cookers, TVs, speakers, and lighting setups at the same time, making it ideal for all-day tailgate events. With expandable capacity and multiple output options, it keeps the tailgate running smoothly from early setup through post-game celebrations.

Appliances Running Time

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

Who Should Buy This

If you host large football tailgates that require electric cooking, multiple appliances, TVs, and all-day power, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is the most practical 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 football tailgates where you want power that feels effortless rather than limited, the Jackery HomePower 3000 makes your setup feel more like a backyard party and less like a campsite. It keeps high-draw appliances like grills and big speakers running while also powering TVs and lights without you juggling loads or hunting for outlets. Its clean, quiet operation makes it easy to focus on food, games, and socializing instead of managing noisy generators or watching breakers trip.

Appliances Running Time

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

Who Should Buy This

If your tailgates are long, packed with guests, and include big appliances and entertainment gear that need reliable, consistent power, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is the practical choice.

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

The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station is built for tailgates that need reliable power without hauling bulky equipment. It easily supports mid- to high-demand essentials like portable grills, coffee makers, speakers, and multiple device chargers. Its balanced size and strong output make it a practical choice for fans who want reliable power for food, music, and game-day comfort without overpacking or overcomplicating their setup.

Appliances Running Time

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

Who Should Buy This

If you want strong, reliable power for cooking, music, and game-day essentials without committing to a full home-backup-level setup, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station is the ideal option for football tailgate parties.

Customer Review

I found this generator to be well-built and extremely reliable, with the power and long-lasting energy it provides…Awesome, simply awesome!!!

— Paul T.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus

For compact football tailgates or smaller groups, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus provides dependable power for TVs, speakers, lighting, and phone charging in one portable unit. It’s well-suited for quick setups where space matters but reliability still counts. With expandable capacity and clean, quiet operation, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus covers core tailgating needs while staying easy to transport and simple to use. It also has a foldable handle and compact design for easier movement.

Appliances Running Time

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

Who Should Buy This

If your football tailgate is small or mobile and primarily needs power for TVs, speakers, lighting, and device charging, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus strikes the right balance of size and capability.

Customer Review

When I got this, I thought I'd put it to the test and plug in my refrigerator at 350w. At this wattage, Jackery's estimation was just under three hours. Plugged in my refrigerator at 7:30 a.m., pulled the plug at 7:30 p.m. with 59% battery life left........and I can add 2 more battery packs to this system. Incredibly happy with my purchase

— Dan R.

Conclusion

Tailgating is one of the most beloved pastimes of Americans and has become an essential part of the game day experience for many fans. This pregame celebration is done in the parking lot using the back of a truck (or any other vehicle). If you're planning to throw a tailgate party at the football games, you'll need to choose the right gear and appliances.

For example, if you plan to cook using electric grills, microwaves, etc., you can consider choosing the Jackery Solar Generators to power those appliances. These solar generators can power high-power-consuming cooking appliances and decoration items like lights, Bluetooth speakers, etc. They are also portable by nature, so you can easily transport the power stations anywhere you go.

If you're yet to experience tailgating at the football game, it's time to do so — and don't forget to share your tailgating experiences or plans with us!

FAQ

How much does it cost to tailgate at a football game?

The cost of parking a standard-size vehicle at most stadiums may range between $25-50, whereas RVs can cost up to $75-100. An average fan might spend nearly $3000 per season for tailgating at football games.