Tailgating is all about enjoying good food and good company before watching your favorite team play. Make a day of it by celebrating before you even enter the stadium. From portable grills to a canopy tent, keep reading to find the tailgating essentials you need this season.

Tailgating Essentials Checklist

• Portable Grill
• Coolers
• Outdoor Lanterns & Lamps
• Folding Tables
• Camping Chairs
• Canopy Tent
• Blankets & Throws
• Slow Cooker
• Wireless Speaker
• Yard Games

Tailgating Essentials

Portable Grill

Turn up the heat with this tailgating essential: a portable grill. This small, travel-friendly grill lets you cook backyard barbecue favorites no matter where the game takes place. Choose between an electric or charcoal grill, depending on your preference. Grill tools (like metal spatulas and wireless meat thermometers) will make the cooking process so much easier on game day. Skip worrying about how to flip your burgers and focus on your excitement for the day. Not only will a grill allow you to cook your favorite foods, but it will also provide some warmth to your freezing hands on cooler days. Its small size allows you to easily pack up when it’s game time.

Tip!

Before game day, check with the stadium for the rules and regulations on the type of fuel they allow.

Coolers

Coolers are a tailgate must. They help keep your food and drinks cool, letting you enjoy a nice meal before the game. Bring a few coolers to separate adult and kid beverages or to seperate drinks from food and snacks. Don’t forget to bring extra ice so you can keep your drinks cool throughout the day. Bring drink cozies to keep your fingers warm and your drinks insulated.

Tip!

Is there anything worse than showing up with a cooler full of drinks and nothing to open them with? Bring your bottle and wine openers with you so you can enjoy a few drinks before the game starts.

Outdoor Lanterns & Lamps

Create light as the sun starts to go down for your next night game. Battery-powered outdoor lanterns and lights let you light up your tailgate space, allowing you to grab drinks and food easily. For safety purposes, place lights near a hot grill or charcoal ashes to ensure no one trips and gets hurt. Lights will allow you to see your friends’ faces, play games easily, and add a decorative touch to your space. The best part? You can use these lights again in your backyard or on a camping trip.

Folding Tables

A folding table is absolutely a tailgating essential. Easy to pack up and travel with, your folding table will be the heart and soul of your tailgate. Put food, drinks, snacks, slow cookers, party favors, and more all in one convenient spot. If you're cooking during your tailgate, a folding table gives you a flat, solid surface where you can place your ingredients. Add an outdoor tablecloth to help protect your table from spills, and use tablecloth pins to hold it to the table when a gust of wind comes.

Camping Chairs

Camping chairs give you a comfortable place to sit and relax before the game starts. Opt for chairs with a drink holder attached, keeping you from having to get up to grab your drink. Whether you want to put the chairs around a table or leave them spread out, be sure to have a few chairs available for friends and family. Camping chairs fold, taking up less space and making them a travel-friendly option.

Canopy Tent

A canopy tent is a game day must-have. It protects you from the elements, whether rain or the hot sun, and creates a space to sit and relax before the game. Having a shaded space not only provides coverage for you and your friends but also covers food and beverages. Choose a tent in your favorite team’s color to let the other tailgaters know what side you’re rooting for.

Tip!

Use weights to keep your canopy secure so you can enjoy your tailgate even when the wind picks up.

Blankets & Throws

When the temperature starts to drop, bundle up with a warm drink and cozy outdoor throw. Outdoor blankets can be used when the weather starts to get cool, for an outdoor picnic, or to put on a hot bleacher bench. Opt for a themed blanket to show off your team spirit.

Slow Cooker

A portable slow cooker is great for cooking tailgate favorites like pulled pork and mac and cheese. This tailgating essential also helps keep your food warm for hours, letting you serve it hot throughout the day. A slow cooker needs to be plugged in, and it can be powered by your car using a power inverter in the accessory socket. Turn it on when you arrive to slowly cook or warm up your dish. When empty and clean, it also makes for an easy place to store cutlery or extra kitchen utensils.

Wireless Speaker

Bring a wireless speaker with you to enjoy music while you hang out or catch up on other games. An outdoor wireless speaker is designed to take on the elements, so you don’t have to worry about weather or food spills. Most wireless speakers are small and compact, making them an easy item to pack. Plus, you won’t have to worry about draining your car or phone battery right before the big game!

Yard Games

Tailgating games are a fun way to help pass the time while bringing a bit of competitiveness to your party. Choose games that can accommodate multiple people of all ages (like cornhole or giant stacking blocks) to make everyone feel included. Choose games that are quick, allowing you to clean up fast when it is time to enter the stadium.