We went to the Indiana / Purdue game yesterday. We've been to quite a few tailgates in Bloomington over the years. But one thing that happened yesterday which I've never seen there before were solicitors walking up to people. One guy was selling T-shirts. Then there were another two who hit us up separately supposedly fundraising for police or veterans or something. (No real way to know if they were legit or, even if "legitimate," some kind of organization getting 80% of the take and handing over the rest to the charitable cause.)

Maybe this has been going on before and I never noticed. Or maybe it's part of the growing pains that come with your team suddenly not being terrible. I imagine it varies from place to place and likely depends on the venue rules, but I wonder if this is rare or common for tailgating?

Hosting my first tailgate! We have bought a spot and that’s about as far as we’ve gotten.

My biggest question is HOW DO PEOPLE STREAM THE GAME AT THEIR TAILGATE SPOT?

However I am very open to ANY advice, pointers, must haves, etc!

I am going to my first 49er's game, and would love to see a little bit of tailgating culture. I don't want to be rude, or come in empty handed. Is it alright to walk through the tailgating parking lots? Do I have to park in the tailgating lots to have access to those areas? I'm excited for my first NFL game and want to sample all the experience!

What’s a good set up. Where should I look.

Alright, fellow tailgaters, I need to know… how early are you getting to the stadium to set up for the perfect pre-game bash? I’m talking dawn patrol, sunrise tailgating legends, and the all-nighters who park the RV and party from sunup to sundown. What’s your strategy, and what are you up to while the hours tick down to game time?

Do you roll in four hours early for prime parking, or are you one of those die-hards that sets up the night before? Tell us the “why” behind your timing too – is it the quest for the best spot, early-bird grilling, beating traffic, or just maximizing the tailgating time?

Bonus points for the most out there arrival stories (the 3 am crew, I’m looking at you). Drop your game day routine below! 🥤🔥

I need something that will power a crockpot for 3-4 hours. Something quite and not gas powered. Any suggestions?

My plan is to prep food all day Friday, and reheat (to 165 degrees) Saturday before leaving for tailgate at 10am. I need to keep these items hot until 1:30. I have thermal catering bags to transport and store and steam trays at the tailgate ready to go. Any advice on timing or other suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

We got a hotdog roller this year. Works for sausage too.

Thanks for the tip and ideas on my first tailgate. I borrowed a grill. I am thinking about getting this one on the Prime Day sale. Would this be good or do you guys have better suggestions: Coleman RoadTrip LX Collapsible Propane Grill

Many sports tailgate, many have great traditions. Which is your favorite? Add any I missed.

View Poll

Anybody have any strong convictions or recommendations? Currently looking at two options:

1. Firman 2000/1600 gas inverter generator ($300) (Already got from Costco but unopened) Firman Link

2. Bluetti AC180 (1800W/1152Wh) ($500) Bluetti link

Curious to hear any opinions or pros and cons? We will be powering an older 32" TV, a Traeger ranger, an inflatable helmet, a speaker of some sort, maybe some phone charging, possibly a fan, maybe a crock pot but probably unlikely given the draw required.

Whether it's a hilarious mishap, an unexpected encounter with a player, or just a moment of pure football magic, we want to hear your best tailgate or drunk gameday stories!

Let's hear those epic tailgate tales and drunken gameday adventures. Don't hold back – we want the funny, the crazy, and the unbelievable!

Bonus points for stories involving:

• Unexpected celebrity encounters
• Ridiculous bets or dares
• Heroic food saves
• Moments of rivaling fan unity
• Cosplay gone wrong (or hilariously right)

Let the storytelling begin! 🍻🏈

Me and a couple of friends are going tailgating for the first time for the home game on Monday, September 30th Detroit Lions versus Seattle Seahawks. They canceled tailgate at the Eastern market due to the events of the shooting last home game. Where else are good tailgating spots? can anybody give me some tips? I know it's kind of running into the last minute, but anybody got any tailgating event tips? We're gonna go watch the game afterwards. I mean I'm from Michigan and I'm about an hour away always been a diehard lions fan so I should know lol but I've never been tailgating ever. We just wanna have a great time and enjoy it.

Hey r/tailgating crew! 🏈🍔

Let’s see your ultimate tailgate truck setups! How do you deck out your ride for the perfect game day experience? Whether it's custom grills, TV setups, awnings, or the best cooler rig, we want to see it all! Drop a pic of your tailgating beast, and share any tips or gear you swear by. 🔥

What’s your secret to creating the perfect tailgating atmosphere straight from the back of your truck? Let's inspire each other! 😎👊

#TailgateLife #TruckGoals

Starter list for having a great tailgate - add your tips in the comments if I left anything out:

• Decide your style: Do you want to stay put or walk around? Dress and pack accordingly.
• Prep food ahead of time: Marinate meat or chop veggies at home to minimize on-site work.
• Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 30-60 minutes before others.
• Plan your cooking method: Bring fuel, utensils, and cleaning supplies.
• Be considerate of food sharing: Offer food and drinks to others if you're open to it.
• Bring essentials: Don’t forget chairs, tables, and some non-meat options.
• Entertain: Bring games or music, but keep volume reasonable.
• Pack up early: Start cleaning up with enough time to head into the game stress-free.
• Stay hydrated: Bring plenty of water, especially if it’s a hot day or you’re consuming alcohol.
• Be mindful of the weather: Pack sunscreen, hats, or rain gear depending on the forecast.
• Check stadium rules: Ensure your tailgating setup complies with parking lot regulations, especially concerning grills, tents, and alcohol.
• Trash management: Keep the area clean by bringing extra trash bags. Leave no trace!

It’s tailgating season, and whether you’re a veteran griller or just getting started, there’s one thing we can all agree on: food is the star of the show!🔥

I’m curious—what’s the one item you can’t tailgate without? Do you stick with the classics, or do you have a go-to dish that always surprises the crowd? Share your favorite tailgate recipes, grilling tips, and any unique dishes that make your tailgate stand out. Let’s hear your best grilling secrets! 👇

Did I miss something? Comment on what I missed!

Poll: What’s most frequently on your tailgate grill?

View Poll

Hey r/tailgating! With all the creativity out there, I bet some of you have built some awesome DIY gear for your tailgates. Whether it’s a custom grill, a collapsible table, or a killer flagpole setup, we’d love to see what you’ve made!

If you’ve crafted something cool or practical, share it here with pics or a quick breakdown of how you did it! I know there are some legendary builds out there.

Let’s swap ideas and help each other out with tips and tricks!

Picture credit to Lazy Guy DIY

Hey everyone! I’m heading to my first ever Buffalo Bills tailgate with my family when the Jags are in town, and I’m in charge of making sure we have a great setup. Honestly, I’m not sure where to start – I’ve been to games before but never been the one to plan the tailgate. What should I be thinking about for food, gear, or general logistics?

I’m especially curious about what’s essential to bring (besides the obvious beer and wings), how early we should get there, and any other pro tips to make it a great experience.

Would love to hear from the pros! What do you wish you had known for your first tailgate?

Go Bills!

I’m excited to have my first tailgate on Sunday! I’m planning things out and one thing I’m trying to figure out is how to display my teams flag. My SUV doesn’t have a trailer hitch. I’ve tried sticking the flag poles through the sunroof before, but it just falls over when any wind gusts.

Any ideas on DIY/Homemade flag stands or flag holders?

Hey fellow tailgaters! I'm heading to a Miami Dolphins game soon and planning to bring a charcoal grill. I’m wondering what the best way to deal with the leftover hot coals is before heading into the game. I want to make sure they’re safely handled so I don’t have to worry about them during the game or while driving home. What’s your go-to solution for this? Any advice would be awesome!

Thanks in advance!

OK tailgating pro's, let's help each other out with our best ideas. What are your must-haves for a killer tailgate setup? Whether it's the perfect portable grill, an epic cooler, comfy chairs, or something unique, I want to hear what you never leave home without! 🏈🍻

Drop your gear recommendations and tips below. Bonus points if you’ve got photos of your setup or links to some cool tailgating gadgets! Let’s help each other level up our tailgating game this season!

For years we've tailgated at Clemson with Directv for television signal. Yesterday I saw more people using WiFi hotspots for signal. My concern is bandwidth and losing signal as more people arrive at the game. Thoughts?

I’ve never setup a tailgate but I’ve been put in charge by my company for running a tailgate booth at every MSU home game for the remainder of the year.

I’m looking to have 2 TV’s with reliable cable/internet connections. How do you guys generally power the TV’s and get cable/internet?

I’ll have a tent and a propane grill so food will be covered.

Cost effective solutions would be preferred however the company is willing to spend the amount necessary if within reason, I was thinking a couple hundred bucks.

Any other advice?

Hey tailgaters! 🏈🍔 We all know cornhole is a staple at any tailgate, but I’m looking to mix it up with some fresh games for the next event. What’s your go-to tailgate game besides cornhole?

Share your favorite games and let me know what gets the crowd going at your tailgate. Whether it’s something competitive, hilarious, or just plain fun, drop your suggestions in the comments! Let’s hear what you’ve got.

Hey, tailgaters! We're working hard to bring r/tailgating back to life, and we need your help to make it the go-to spot for all things tailgating. Whether you're grilling at the game, setting up your tailgate flagpole, or just hanging out with friends, we want to see it! Share your pictures, recipes, and tailgating tips. Got questions? Ask away! And don’t forget to comment on other posts and spread the word in other forums. Together, we can make this community the best tailgating hub on Reddit. Let’s do this! 🎉🔥

AI Clearly Can't Tailgate - we need real people and real photos :)

Me and my friends are engineering students working on designing a custom tailgating rig for a project and we need to get an idea of who our target customer base would be. If you tailgate, you are welcome to participate. Just click the survey link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZLLLS82

Thanks for your time and your help!