Tailgate Setup Ideas: What You’ll Need For a Winning Game-Day Party

Hosting a football tailgate or an away-game watch party this fall? Throw on your team jersey and invite your friends for a stadium bash or a backyard watch party they’ll love. Show your team spirit with these winning tailgate setup ideas.

Stadium Tailgate Parties

Tailgate parties are a tradition at U.S. colleges and NFL games. Fans gather in the stadium parking lot to pitch tents, grill delicious food, mingle, and enjoy the tailgating experience.

Portable Grills

Grilled burgers and hot dogs are a tailgate party must-have. For an easy-to-transport option, buy a portable grill. Portable grills are sold in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Some portable cookers include thermometers, easy-to-start electronic ignitions, fold-out side tables, and a generous grilling surface. Other, more expensive models come with a phone charger and double as a fire pit.

If you own a portable grill, be sure to inspect and clean your grill before the big game.

Don’t forget to bring:

• Drink cooler
• Tent
• Folding tables
• Folding chairs
• Grill tools and equipment
• A blanket (for chilly evenings)
• Bluetooth speaker to listen to the pre-game show

 Tailgate Portable Grilling Recipes

Dixie Beef Burgers with Chowchow Spread

The slightly sweet chowchow spread and grilled ham slices on these burgers will please any sports fan.  Top with honeyed grape tomatoes for amazing salty-meets-sweet flavor.

Oaxaca Grilled Corn

Oaxaca is a Mexican region where the smart locals know how to take a humble vegetable and make it taste fabulous. Spread cobs with a mixture of mayo and sour cream. Spice it up and toss them on the grill for world-class Mexican flavor.

Away-Game Watch Parties

When the team’s away, host a watch party in the backyard! If it’s cold outside, bring the celebration indoors.

Here are a few tips for a fun, pre-game bash:

• Prep food and beverages as much ahead of time as possible. Bake hot foods in the morning and move them to slow cookers to keep them warm during the game.
• Put main dishes in the oven during the second quarter. They’ll be ready to serve at halftime.
• Part of the fun is rooting for your team. Visit the party store and supply guests with clappers, whistles, foam fingers, and pom-poms to celebrate winning plays.
• Provide comfortable seating –televised NFL games last about 3 hours. Ensure adequate seating is placed in front of the TV and provide extra seating around the dining table – away from the action, for guests to snack and chat.
• If needed, rearrange living room furniture for the best TV viewing.
• Place a few large pillows on the floor to serve as kids’ seating.
• Minimize spills and messes – Set out coasters for beverages. Place napkins in several easy-to-find spots like the snack table, kitchen counter, folding tables, and dining tables. Place wet wipes next to the barbecued wings or any sticky foods. Keep spray cleaner and paper towels at the ready for wiping spills.
• Provide several simple snacks and finger foods. A cheese and vegetable platter with artichoke dip or chips and salsa will keep tummies full and spirits high.
• Make dessert easy by baking a big pan of brownies and topping brownie squares with vanilla ice cream.

Football Watch Party Beverage Recipes

Spiked Mint Lemonade

Add team spirit to your beverage bar with a minty-sweet mix of lemon juice, fresh mint, and vodka.  Spiked Mint Lemonade can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge to save time on game day prep.

Touchdown Punch

This refreshing lemon-lime punch is popular with kids and a yummy way to cool off on warmer game days. The addition of lime sherbet boosts the flavor and keeps the punch ice cold for hours.

After Party Clean Up

Before stowing away folding tables, clean and disinfect table surfaces with Wet & Forget Indoor.

Wet & Forget Indoor is a power-packed, three-in-one solution for cleaning, deodorizing, and disinfecting indoor surfaces.  Wet & Forget Indoor:

• Wipes away dirt and grime.
• Cuts through messy, greasy spills.
• Inhibits the growth of mold and mildew
• Eliminates unpleasant odors at the source
• Sanitizes and disinfects hard, non-porous surfaces –  killing 99.9% of bacteria & viruses

Whether you are hosting a Super Bowl bash for a crowd, or a watch party for a few college friends, these tailgate setup ideas will help you get the party started!