The Best Tailgating Tips for Game-Day

Tailgating and sports go hand in hand for a sports fanatic. We all know that the culture of NFL and College football is not all about what happens on the field, but the events that lead up the game are just as important as watching the game itself. Tailgating your favorite sports game can bring the most amount of excitement to a sports fan and can be the major source of enjoyment to an NFL or College football game. If you are looking to improve your tailgating game, here are 5 tailgating tips that can improve your tailgate experience.

Check Your Location

A very important aspect to tailgating is making sure you know the rules of your tailgating location. It would be very wise to look at the rules of your location ahead of time in case there needs to be some changes made to where you can park or bring to your tailgate. Some of the rules and regulations that some locations require is the tent size and weight, excessive or underage drinking will not be tolerated, or not any use of glass containers.

Check The Weather

Always look at the weather the morning of game day. This might sound like a simple and obvious tailgating tip, however you will be surprised on how many people either forget a rain jacket or warm coat. Dressing appropriately on game day is an important aspect in having a successful tailgate, because if you and your friends are dressed appropriately for the day everyone will be satisfied and aggravated by the weather. My main tip is to always bring a rain jacket and warm coat to every fall game just in case the weather changes quickly.

Two Coolers At Minimum

To have the most successful and organized tailgate, I highly suggest having a minimum of two coolers. One cooler for food and one for beverages. When you are packing these coolers make sure you wrap the food and beverages well to prevent leaking and cross- contamination. Another life saving tip is to store frozen water bottles in both of your coolers to help keep food cold and is a great option to keep every hydrated once the ice melts. Lastly, always pack more food and drinks than you think you would need to prevent the panic of running out of essential food or drinks.

Make A List

Making your master list of all of the essentials that you need is one of the most important tips I can give you for a successful tailgate. Things to consider to include on your master list are all food items, beverage items, equipment, utensils and paper goods, clean up materials, etc. The worst feeling is forgetting an essential item at home when you have already arrived and set up your tailgate, and that is why making a master list before game day is essential. In my opinion, the more time you spend on planning ahead will make the tailgating season much more enjoyable for you and all of your guests.

Show Team Spirit

Don't be shy, go all out with your team spirit. There are many more ways to show your team spirit than through your clothing. You can show your team spirit by using colored plates, cups, napkins and utensils. Decorating the little things will make your tailgating experience that much more enjoyable. Representing the team you are rooting for is simply for fun and can add some joy to your tailgating experiences. The truest fans wear their gear with a smile through winning and losing seasons. / KR

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