TOP FOOTBALL TAILGATING CHECKLIST AND TIPS YOU’LL LOVE!

Discover the best football tailgating ideas, recipes, gear must-haves, and tips for game day.

Make your tailgate fun, easy, and unforgettable.

College football tailgate season is here.

And I am here for it. And I am here for you.

Because through the years and throughout the SEC, I’ve spent hours standing on a parking lot, eating hot dogs with my fellow fans, and counting the minutes until game time.

Well, actually our tailgates are a lot more elegant than that description (much more). LOL. And I don’t eat hot dogs. LOL.

But we’ve traveled to Ole’ Miss, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Vandy, Kentucky, and, of course, all the trips to Columbia, Missouri.

Tailgating is just one of the time-honored traditions of the college game day experience. 

And simply put: tailgating on a football Saturday is a good time. 

But it can also seem overwhelming.

You have to get everything packed up ahead of time. Often, game-time isn’t set until a few days before kick off. There are lots of moving parts.

If you forget something, you’re kind of stuck.

And you never really know how many people to expect. 

So a football tailgate checklist is essential.

You’ll need great decor, great food, great drinks and, of course, a great outfit to make your football Saturday special.

And what’s the biggest key to a stress-free game day?

The key to a relaxing tailgate is to be organized.

Follow this football tailgate checklist and you’ll be ready to host a successful tailgate party at the next home game. 

These are the top tailgating checklist and tips to help you pull together the right items to have a winning experience both on and off the field.

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FOOTBALL TAILGATE CHECKLIST:  GREAT DECOR

Success can mean many different things when it comes to a tailgate party. But some basic tailgate accessories you’ll need for a successful tailgate include:

A durable pop-up tent — do not skimp on a cheap tent. You will regret it. Here is a great option that will last from season to season. Remember, your tent will need to be sturdy enough to withstand the elements. Also consider a tent with optional walls, which are great when the weather gets colder later in the season.

A sturdy folding table or two — Personally I like to put two tables together in an “L” shape to create a larger buffet. So two tables is ideal. These 6 foot tables are perfect. And I like the fact they are black. They won’t show dirt and scuffs easily. I typically put the tables in the back of the tent, for a good flow within the tailgate.

Folding chairs — Tailgates can last for several hours. So you need to have seating. These portable chairs are great.

Portable grill (with the necessary fuel) — A propane grill is usually a safe bet, much better than charcoal which is banned at some stadiums. This travel grill is an ideal choice for most every tailgate.

​Two coolers — I suggest one for ice for drinks and the other to chill drinks. Like your tent, don’t skimp on a cheap cooler. Get one that is build to last, like this great choice.

Trash and recycling receptacles — Tailgating can create a lot of waste. So try to keep it to a minimum. I like have two receptacles, one for trash and an additional one for recycling. These are ideal because they are collapsible and clearly marked. Don’t forget the recycling bags.

Storage tubs — these clear tubs, with lids that snap tightly on top are perfect to store all of your tailgating equipment from week to week and season to season. Clear is key, so you can easily see what is inside each bin.

BEGIN THE DAY WITH THE END IN MIND …

One of the biggest keys is to have easy access to the items, so you can get everything set up quickly. It is really important to consider what you’ll need first when you are packing your vehicle.

This is another reason you need the clear storage tubs I’ve recommended above! You can easily see what is in them.

You’ll likely want to set the tent up first, to define the perimeters of your tailgating space. So don’t pack a bunch of other items on top of your tent. You’ll want to be able to access it easily, at the beginning of your set-up process. 

Most tailgates are set up in a standard parking spot, which are approximately 10 feet wide and 18 feet in length. So they are not large. You need to make the best use of the space you’ve got!

Of course, this varies by venue, so you need to figure this out during the planning process when you’re getting ready for the big game, not on the day of your tailgate party.  

OTHER TAILGATE ESSENTIALS INCLUDE:

Linens — I prefer a black, polyester blend tablecloth over a white one. Why? It will not show dirt and stains as easily, so your tailgate will look more appealing as the day goes on. And do not even consider a vinyl or plastic tablecloth for a tailgate. A good, fabric cloth is a fantastic investment that you will use over and over, from season to season. A polyester and cotton blend is ideal, since it will need minimal ironing after washing. You can add accessories to dress the table up in your team’s colors.

Utensils — depending on your menu, you’ll want forks, knives and spoons. I would suggest creating utensil rolls with napkins the day before your tailgate, it’s just easier. For everyone. Plus that add a little something “extra” to your tailgate setup without a lot of effort.

Napkins — You’ll want both cocktail and dinner sized napkins. Unfortunately paper napkins are really your best bet for a tailgate.

Cups — A good rule of thumb is to get twice as many cups as guests you’ll expect. That way, you don’t have to worry about running out of them. My favorite are 16 ounce, plastic cups.

I love tailgating accessories that can easily shift from a high school game, to a college tailgate and then transfer to the NFL on Sunday. We all have limited budgets and storage space. So acquiring a few, choice accessories that can serve multiple purposes and multiple occasions is key.

Also don’t forget a supply of wet wipes, paper towels and hand sanitizer. Think about including a first-aid kit in your tailgating supplies as well. Just. In. Case.

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE FOOTBALL TAILGATING DECOR FINDS: 

This table runner, which is made of artificial grass and looks like a football grid iron, is just beyond adorable!

These plastic cups that look like footballs are just next level cute!

Referee koozies with whistles are perfect for soft drinks or beer! And so festive!

Really fun napkins can bring a great vibe to your tailgate. I just love these “Game Day” cocktail napkins! And these football themed napkins are too cute!

These fun food picks in pennant shapes, as well as these in the shape of football players make any app tailgate ready!

ADD SOME SCHOOL SPIRIT …

When you’re getting ready for the big game, a great tailgate also will reflect the school colors of the team you’re cheering on. I like supplementing that basics with a few, cute accessories. My  favorite ways to incorporate your team’s colors include:

Fun, striped paper straws in your team’s colors are always a festive touch.

Solid colored napkins (mix the colors the day before the tailgate so they are ready to go when you’re unpacking).

Cute snack boxes that allow guests to grab and go, like these.

​Stack plastic drinking cups, alternating your team’s colors within the stack 

FOOTBALL TAILGATE CHECKLIST:  GREAT FOOD

You want to plan ahead. Because as game time approaches, you need items that are an easy clean-up. 

One of my biggest tricks for tailgating is to take foods that are easy to prepare and easy to transport and simply dress them up to make them tailgate food. 

This oven baked carmel corn is a favorite dish at all of my tailgates. Creating individual servings and placing them in these cute black and white striped containers, make them ready for game day. You can get the recipe here.

In addition, jarcuterie is an MVP for every tailgate. It’s easy to make. I show you how to pull it together, step by step here. 

A good, tiered tray is also a great addition to any tailgate. The multiple levels will add to your table room. And its height will add interest to your food display. Here is a great one I love! Score!

FOOTBALL TAILGATE CHECKLIST:  GREAT DRINKS

Should you consider a signature cocktail for your tailgate? Maybe! They can be a fun addition! 

And sometimes kickoff can be at 11 a.m., which means you have to get a bit creative in terms of both your tailgating menu and your tailgating drinks.

I am so over mimosas.

Yup. There. I said it.

They are just too sweet for my taste. And the champagne is always terrible. Because it should be if you are mixing it with orange juice.

Just say no.

So one of the most popular choices for morning games is a Bloody Mary bar.

In my opinion, this can turn a good tailgate into a great tailgate.

Learn how to pull together the perfect Bloody Mary bar here.

Another cocktail I like for a morning game is the Harvey Wallbanger.

Basically it’s a new twist on a screwdriver, with the addition of Galliano.

Find out how to make the perfect Harvey Wallbanger here. It’s a completely overlooked drink, in my opinion.

But tailgating isn’t always about boozy drinks.

And a lot of the time, it’s really hot when you are tailgating. So you want something cold and refreshing.

These iced tea recipes are perfect to batch for a tailgate. I know you’ll love them as much as I do. And you can batch them in one of these beverage dispensers.

Another drink that is great to batch is The Big Apple. It’s a great fall drink whose base is apple cider. You can find the recipe here. 

This drink is PERFECT for tailgates when the weather starts to turn colder.

And finally, you’ll want to have plenty of bottled water and canned soft drinks on hand.  

FOOTBALL TAILGATE CHECKLIST:  GREAT OUTFIT!

Football season is in full swing. 

And choosing an adorable game day outfit is a great way to show your team pride and your team spirit.

It’s also a great way to show some personal style and have a bit of fun! 

I am not a big fan of simply wearing a t-shirt with a logo and a pair of jeans to the football game. I like to get dressed up a bit for game day. 

A swing dress, baby doll dress or midi in a solid color is my perfect choice for game day.

Pick your team’s color that looks best on you. There are an abundance of great choices in black, red, green, blue … the options are endless in classic team colors.

Pair it with a fun football accessory and you’re ready to go!

I’ve curated a bunch of my favorite game-day looks here.

And be sure to check your stadium rules and their bag policy for football games. Most require a clear bag. I’ve got lots of great choices for you, as well.

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