Football Tailgate Packing List: What to Bring Before Kickoff

Key Takeaways

• When deciding what to bring tailgating, consider how many people will be attending. You’ll probably make some new friends, so bring more food and drinks than you think you’ll need. 

• Be sure to brainstorm some football tailgate ideas for supporting the team and creating a sense of unity. Team-color Game Bibs overalls, face paint, and even temporary hair dye let you turn heads on game day!

• For the ultimate tailgate setup, bring a canopy tent, folding chairs, a folding table, a portable grill, and coolers with ice.

• Consider bringing football tailgate essentials for entertainment, such as a portable Bluetooth speaker, power bank, and beanbag toss setup. You could even bring a power generator, TV, and digital antenna or mobile hotspot to watch the pre-game show.

• When choosing what to bring tailgating, don’t forget about basic football tailgate necessities, like disposable plates and bowls, plastic utensils, napkins, paper towels, wet wipes, and heavy-duty trash bags, as well as sun protection and a first aid kit.

Nothing beats tailgating on game day. The energy, camaraderie, food, and fun make for an unforgettable experience, even if you make one too many trips to the cooler. 

Tailgating is a rite of passage, a pre-game ritual, and the perfect opportunity to enjoy great food and company. It’s worth doing right. While you’re in for a great time just by showing up, a solid setup turns an ordinary event into an extraordinary celebration.

If you're not sure what to bring tailgating, you’re in the right place. Here at Game Bibs, we know a thing or two about tailgating. We were the first brand to make bold, team-color bib overalls for game day, and we’re still the best in the business!

We put together a complete football tailgate checklist to help you get geared up for game day. Of course, you can use these football tailgate ideas for any other sport, too. Let’s kick off.

1. Plenty of Food 

Whether you’re hanging out in the back of a pickup truck or flaunting the ultimate tailgate setup, you’re virtually guaranteed to meet some likeminded folks in the lot. 

As you decide what to bring tailgating, consider packing more food and drinks than you think you’ll need. Giving a fellow sports fan a hot dog and a cold one is an easy way to make a lifelong friend.

The football tailgate snacks you enjoy and serve are up to you. You can’t go wrong with the classic tailgate foods, like burgers, hot dogs, beer brats, ribs, and wings. However, tailgating is a great opportunity to flex your culinary skills, so feel free to get creative with the menu.

2. Grillin’ Gear

A portable grill, fuel, and tools are football tailgate essentials. If you’re a backyard griller, you already know the drill. However, as you decide what to bring tailgating, you might prefer to avoid the grillmaster role. We get it. Sometimes, you just want to kick back and take it all in.

If you don’t feel like spending the party in front of a hot grill, just pack like you would for a picnic or any other outdoor event. Subs, hoagies, grinders…whatever you want to call ‘em, they’re perfect for easy eating.

If you want hot food and have access to power, slow cookers are your best friend. Fill one with chili, one with queso, and one with hot dogs. Bring a few packs of buns and you’re good to go.

3. Well-Stocked Beverage Station

As you choose what to bring tailgating, be sure to bring at least one large cooler filled with ice and drinks. Whether or not you bring adult beverages is your call, but don’t forget plenty of water and kid-friendly drinks, too. The days are long, and you’re going to need to stay hydrated.

When brainstorming football tailgate ideas, go big or go home! Just like food, we highly recommend bringing more drinks than you think you’ll need. Sharing is caring!

4. Comfortable Command Center

The ultimate tailgate setup lets you enjoy a leisurely, luxurious, and legendary experience. A pop-up canopy tent provides protection from the sun and rain. Folding chairs keep you relaxed when you’re not roaming the lot. A folding table gives you a place to eat and store football tailgate essentials.

5. Entertainment Essentials

Wondering what to bring tailgating for a pro-level setup? Beyond the basics, focus on entertainment. 

A Bluetooth speaker lets you get pumped for the game with your favorite tunes. Be sure to bring a power bank to keep the speaker and phones charged. 

A cornhole set (beanbag toss) is perfect for enjoying friendly camaraderie and competition before the game. Of course, you could also just toss around a football.

If possible, bringing a power generator will open up some awesome possibilities. For example, a flat-screen TV and digital antenna or mobile hotspot lets you watch the pre-game show surrounded by fans.

6. Team-Themed Spiritwear and Cheer Gear

Finally, as you make a list of what to bring tailgating, don’t forget about the whole reason for the party: supporting the team! 

We’re obviously biased, but one of our favorite football tailgate ideas is getting dressed in team-color outfits that turn heads in the lot and stadium. Game Bibs makes bib overalls for men, women, and kids, so the whole family can rock the team’s colors in style.

Our overalls will get you noticed, but if you really want to make an impression, go all out with the look! Face paint, temporary hair dye, and matching shoes will take the look to the next level.

Beyond what you wear, consider bringing signs, banners, foam fingers, pom-poms, shakers, and whatever other accessories you need to show your team some love.

7. Boring Basics

As you determine what to bring tailgating, don’t overlook the basics. Even the ultimate tailgate setup needs some key items to ensure a safe and successful experience.

You’ll be glad to have football tailgate essentials like sunscreen and a first aid kit if you need them. Bring along plenty of disposable plates and bowls, plastic utensils, napkins, paper towels, wet wipes, and heavy-duty trash bags.

Browse Game Bibs Now

We hope these football tailgate ideas are helpful as you gear up for an incredible day. If this checklist seems overwhelming, try not to overthink it. At the end of the day, making memories with friends, family, and fans is what tailgating’s really all about.

Now that you know what to bring tailgating, it’s time to pick out your game day outfits. Game Bibs overalls are comfortable, durable, and lightweight - perfect for tailgates, watch parties, stadiums, tournaments, spirit days, and so much more. Shop by color now.