Tailgating before football games is a uniquely American tradition with a long history. The first football tailgate was believed to have occurred at a Rutgers-Princeton college game in 1869. Fans wore their team colors and enjoyed beer, whiskey, and home-cooked food before the game.<\/p>\n
Modern tailgating evolved as vehicles and portable grills became available, but the essential elements that bring people together are the same:<\/p>\n
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- A love for their favorite football team<\/li>\n
- A delicious spread of food and drink<\/li>\n
- A lively celebration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Today, tents pop up in every college and national football stadium parking lot on game days across the country with the distinct haze of charcoal smoke, sounds of laughter, and the incredible aroma of grilled foods. It\u2019s an experience that every serious football fan doesn\u2019t want to miss before the game.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a downloadable checklist of tailgating essentials\u00a0<\/a>you’ll need to partake in this American tradition.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Tailgate Grilling Essentials <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Want your tailgate to be the most sought-after pre-game event of the season? Bring on the meat!\u00a0Wow your guests with\u00a0Pure<\/strong>Ground\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0Burgers<\/a>\u00a0made from a single cut of steak, including filet mignon, sirloin, ribeye, porterhouse, brisket, and NY strip \u2013 it\u2019s like\u00a0steak<\/a>\u00a0on a bun. Or go bold with Omaha Steaks Smash Burgers<\/a> \u2013 pre-smashed, ready in 5 minutes, and Built for the Grill\u2122. Grill up our Gourmet Jumbo Franks to satisfy even the largest appetites. Here are the food and drink essentials you\u2019ll need for the tastiest tailgate in the lot!<\/p>\n
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- Gourmet burgers<\/a><\/li>\n
- Franks, brats, or sausages<\/a><\/li>\n
- Steaks<\/a>\u00a0(New York strips are great for grilling)<\/li>\n
- Omaha Steaks Seasoning<\/a>\u00a0(perfect for both steaks and burgers)<\/li>\n
- Hamburger and\/or hot dog buns<\/li>\n
- Sliced cheese for cheeseburgers<\/li>\n
- Ketchup<\/li>\n
- Mayonnaise<\/li>\n
- Mustard<\/li>\n
- Pickles<\/li>\n
- Relish<\/li>\n
- BBQ sauce<\/li>\n
- Side dishes (chips, dip,\u00a0mac \u2018n cheese<\/a>, potato salads, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Cookies\u00a0or other sweet treats<\/li>\n
- Drinks<\/li>\n
- Ice<\/li>\n
- Cooler<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Are you planning an all-day experience? Serve up an\u00a0epic meat<\/a>\u00a0experience and try one of our delicious\u00a0smoked meat recipes<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Grilling Essentials for Tailgating<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What\u2019s a tailgate without that undeniably delicious aroma of grilled meat? Get ready to put on a show before the big game at your tailgate and don\u2019t forget to pack your grill! Here\u2019s everything you\u2019ll need to get your grill on before the big game.<\/p>\n
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- Portable grill<\/li>\n
- Propane or charcoal<\/li>\n
- Matches or lighter<\/li>\n
- Hot pads or grilling mitts<\/li>\n
- Tongs<\/li>\n
- Spatula<\/li>\n
- Cutting board<\/li>\n
- Sharp knife<\/li>\n
- Grill spray oil<\/li>\n
- Meat thermometer<\/li>\n
- Fire extinguisher<\/li>\n
- Apron<\/li>\n
- Timer (you can use the\u00a0Omaha Steaks mobile app<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Want to up your grilling game? Check out our\u00a0ultimate grilling guide<\/a>\u00a0to learn how to set up your grill and the basics for grilling meat. Or download the\u00a0Omaha Steaks mobile app<\/a>\u00a0with grilling instructions and an easy-to-use cooking timer.<\/p>\n
Tableware and Accessories Essentials <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Make sure everything\u2019s set so your guests can kick back and enjoy the tailgating food and drinks.<\/p>\n
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- Paper plates<\/li>\n
- Disposable utensils<\/li>\n
- Plastic cups<\/li>\n
- Steak knives<\/li>\n
- Bottle opener<\/li>\n
- Corkscrew<\/li>\n
- Can koozies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What You\u2019ll Need to Set Up Your Tailgate <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Give your guests a comfortable tailgating environment that\u2019s Instagram-worthy with a few essentials. Bonus if these are in your team\u2019s colors!<\/p>\n
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- Tent or canopy<\/li>\n
- Camping chairs<\/li>\n
- Coolers<\/li>\n
- Folding table<\/li>\n
- Tablecloth<\/li>\n
- Wireless speakers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Don\u2019t Forget the Cleanup Essentials<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Keep your favorite tailgating lot clean and free of clutter by cleaning up after yourself. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need for cleanup and keeping your cooking area clean and sanitary.<\/p>\n
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- Paper towels<\/li>\n
- Hand sanitizer<\/li>\n
- Trash bags<\/li>\n
- Wet wipes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Outdoor Tailgating Game Ideas<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Guests may come for the food, but they\u2019ll stay for the entertainment (and seconds if you\u2019re serving\u00a0Omaha Steaks<\/a>). Add some games for the best tailgate on the block. Here are some fun ideas:<\/p>\n
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- Cornhole<\/li>\n
- Ladder toss<\/li>\n
- Horseshoes<\/li>\n
- Football toss<\/li>\n
- Ring toss<\/li>\n
- Frisbee<\/li>\n
- Giant Jenga<\/li>\n
- Deck of cards<\/li>\n
- Football trivia game<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Other Things to Consider Packing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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- Sunblock<\/li>\n
- Bug spray<\/li>\n
- Umbrella<\/li>\n
- Sunglasses<\/li>\n
- First aid kit<\/li>\n
- Team gear<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How To Set Up Your Tailgate <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Before the first whistle blows, the real action happens in the parking lot. A smooth tailgate setup is your first win of the day \u2013 here’s how to ensure your team’s pre-game HQ is ready for anything.<\/p>\n
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- Tailgating Spot:<\/strong> Choose a location that’s not only close to the stadium but also near bathrooms and walking paths.<\/li>\n
- The Area:<\/strong> Set up a canopy or pop-up tent to keep guests cool and dry. Arrange the chairs in a circle or U-shape, and decorate the area with your team’s colors, flags, or banners.<\/li>\n
- Entertainment:<\/strong> Keep the game day spirit going with a tailgate-friendly TV setup to catch the coverage, speakers to play music, and games to play between bites.<\/li>\n
- Food & Drink Station:<\/strong> Designate a grilling zone and keep your tools and food within reach. Set up a self-serve table for food, drinks, and condiments.<\/li>\n
- Kid Area<\/strong>: Make the day fun for all ages with a dedicated space for kid-friendly games, toys, and snacks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Easy Cleanup Tips <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Once the final whistle blows, the true MVPs are those who clean up. With a few simple habits, you can keep your tailgate clean and environmentally friendly. Here are some helpful cleanup tips:<\/p>\n
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- Pack Up Leftovers: <\/strong>Before the game ends, begin packing food that hasn’t been eaten.<\/li>\n
- Clean Your Grill: <\/strong>Make sure your grill is turned off and clean. If you used charcoal, double-check that the coals are completely extinguished.<\/li>\n
- Separate Trash and Recyclables: <\/strong>Use different bags to make disposal easier once you return home.<\/li>\n
- Wipe Down Surfaces: <\/strong>Clean tables, chairs, and other surfaces.<\/li>\n
- Use Eco-Friendly Dinnerware: <\/strong>Bring reusable or biodegradable plates, cups, and utensils to streamline the cleanup process and reduce waste.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tailgate Etiquette Essentials <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Tailgating is all about the food, fun, and fan spirit, but nothing can ruin the vibe faster than a lack of courtesy. Here are a couple of basic etiquette tips:<\/p>\n
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- Do:<\/strong> Carpool so your group uses fewer parking spots.<\/li>\n
- Don’t:<\/strong> Take up more space than you need.<\/li>\n
- Do:<\/strong> Bring extra food to share.<\/li>\n
- Don’t:<\/strong> Drop food or drinks and not clean it up.<\/li>\n
- Do:<\/strong> Take all your garbage and recycling with you.<\/li>\n
- Don’t:<\/strong> Play music that is too loud or has inappropriate lyrics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That\u2019s it! Now you have the essentials to host an amazing tailgate to cheer on your favorite teams!<\/p>\n
Are you watching from home? Check out our\u00a010 amazing game day appetizers<\/a>\u00a0that are easy to prepare and perfect for a football-watching party.<\/p>\n
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- Don’t:<\/strong> Take up more space than you need.<\/li>\n
- Clean Your Grill: <\/strong>Make sure your grill is turned off and clean. If you used charcoal, double-check that the coals are completely extinguished.<\/li>\n
- The Area:<\/strong> Set up a canopy or pop-up tent to keep guests cool and dry. Arrange the chairs in a circle or U-shape, and decorate the area with your team’s colors, flags, or banners.<\/li>\n
- Tailgating Spot:<\/strong> Choose a location that’s not only close to the stadium but also near bathrooms and walking paths.<\/li>\n
- Franks, brats, or sausages<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gourmet burgers<\/a><\/li>\n