What Kind of Tailgater Are You?

POV: It’s Saturday, your feet hit the parking lot pavement, the delicious smell of grilled meat fills the air, and you can hear pockets of fans chatting and loudly cheersing with their first frosty brew of the day. You guessed it, it’s game day, which means tailgating season has finally arrived. There is a different buzz of energy when you are in the lot leading up the game, and people are always concocting new recipes, cocktails, and set-ups to make the next tailgate better than the one before. The question is, are you the type of tailgater that rolls up at the crack of dawn and sets up their second home, do you swing by your friend’s before heading into the stadium, or do you like to go tailgate hopping and rev everyone up before kickoff? No matter which tailgater you are, we have the breakdown of everything you need to make every game day feel like a touchdown.

Before you crack open your first beer, shake up your first bloody, or toast with the first bottomless mimosa, you need to HYDRATE. Biggest rule of any tailgate, besides not showing up empty-handed, is to drink your water. This is a marathon, not a shot-taking/shotgun beer-chugging race, so have plenty of water to keep you in a balanced party state. No one wants a Blackout Brad or Passed Out Patty, so please, just do it. Here are some of our recommended products that will keep your water so cold that it will feel like you have a new lease on life with every sip.

You are one of those lucky football fans that has lots of tailgate invites but trying to choose one seems impossible. The roaring cheers and buzzing energy makes it all feel like one big party. From college games to the NFL, you can’t help but want to hop around the parking lot and join each group for a snack and a shot. Just be sure you’re visiting the tailgates that have your team gear on. But keep in mind, not every tailgate is going to have a ton of extra supplies, so you need to be prepared. Bring your own stash for yourself to drink, and if you can, extra to share. You may end up getting some nice trades in the process. Also you might start to lose track which drink is yours after the third tailgate visit, so bring your own coozie and flask. Customize it with your name and you’ll never lose it.

We can find you helping set up cornhole, handing out a round during the commercial breaks, and you always roll up with that special nacho dip that disappears within the first 30 minutes. You are a part of the tailgate fam and there is always a seat saved for you. For the 2023 football season, we think you should show up with some new game day swagger customized with your team mascot, your favorite players jersey number or your tailgate nickname.

Waking up at 3 am, getting to the same spot you have had for years before the sun even rises, and creating a welcoming space to watch the game means you are a tailgating pro. And yes, because of your years of dedication, that 8 am beer is a must. Every pro needs all of the right gear that really takes your tailgate game to the next level. From coolers that can do it all to food supplies that keep your tasty eats hot and fresh, these game day essentials will be a must for you this fall.