Tailgating is the name of the game in the south on Saturdays. The traditions of college football span generations in the south. I mean, these Saturdays are a full on EVENT. I went to college at a national championship football school so I definitely learned a thing or two about how to throw the best tailgate on campus. So, I am rounding up the tailgating essentials if you want to level up your game for this season. I will also be doing a post about how to have incredible watch parties if you are too far from your campus to go to the game. I have linked some of my favorite tailgate products in the titles of each section so you can shop easily!

Tent and Bag Chairs

This is the bare minimum that you will need for a successful tailgate. You absolutely need to have the tent for shade throughout the day, no matter the forecast today. This is going to be your central location for the day. Chairs are also necessary because people will stroll in and out and want places to sit. They can also use coolers, but it’s better to have more chairs than you think you need. Your party will definitely grow as the day goes on.

Cornhole and Yard Games

Cornhole is one of the best ways to stay entertained during a long day of tailgating! We usually play all day long and even do tournaments if enough people want to play. Cornhole is a great way to get a friendly competition going that you can still enjoy a beer with. There are other games you can play like tossing the football or ladder golf, but cornhole is my favorite.

Grill

A grill is pretty much a no brainer when it comes to tailgates because you have to supply food. It is simply not an option! With a grill, you can make food all day long and it will be fresh and warm. There are several small, portable grills that you can bring to make cooking simple and easy. A camping grill would work perfectly too! As with any grill, make sure you have supplies you need like propane or charcoal.

Food, Drinks, Coolers

Plenty of food and drinks is the key to a popular tailgate. You want to make sure everyone is fed and has a drink in their hand! This makes for a fun day without anyone getting hangry…. lol. So, some of my favorite foods are tailgate dips, which I will write about next, burgers, hot dogs, and snacks. Drinks are important too so everyone can stay hydrated if you know what I mean! But really, it’s good to have alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available so people can take their pick! Also, coolers double as a great place to sit if you have extra guests, so make sure you have plenty!

TV and Satellite Reception

This is how you know you’ve reached elite tailgate status. While you are waiting on your game to start, why not watch all the other games of the day?? This is important for true football fans. This can be kind of tricky to pull off but technology nowadays is excellent for this! Smart TV’s can be plugged into any plug with an extension cord. You will probably want a generator for power to operate your TV. Also, several companies make mobile satellite dishes that people typically use on their RV or boat. You can set one on top of your car and have television all day!

Speakers for Music

I feel like this item is self explanatory, especially if you don’t have a TV to watch other games. You’ll want some background music to set the mood for the day. There are some songs that just make me think of football and tailgating so I will link a good playlist here. Try it out at your next tailgate and let me know what you think!

Team Colored Tableware

Team colored tableware just makes everything so much more festive and cute! We get cups, plates, napkins, everything you can think of, in our team’s colors! You can never have too much of your logo or mascot around your tailgate. This makes everything look cute and organized, and it will surely be remembered!

Painted Table

A painted table is somewhat of a new trend among tailgaters and college students. Most of these tables are used for games like beer pong or flip cup. You can really customize these, similar to the fraternity coolers that everyone made for their dates! I will post some inspiration photos so you can see what I mean! My friends made them but I personally don’t have one right now. I want to try this in the future so I’ll show that process if I do!

I am posting a photo from Pinterest to show an example!