Short answer: a good tailgate needs a canopy or shade, chairs and a table, a cooler with food and drinks, a grill and fuel, trash bags, wipes, a first aid kit, chargers, a light for after the game, and a small bag that meets the stadium's bag policy for going inside. Pack the car the night before with a checklist, and keep keys, tickets and cards on your body.
Key facts
- Stadium bag policies are strict. Many NFL and college stadiums only allow clear bags or a small clutch inside; check before you go.
- Parking lot rules vary: start times, open flames, glass and alcohol policies differ by venue.
- Night games end in the dark. Packing up and finding the car need light.
- Keys and tickets get lost in the chaos; give them one home on your body.
- Leave the lot cleaner than you found it.
The tailgate checklist
| Category | Pack |
|---|---|
| Setup | Canopy with weights, folding table, chairs, team flag |
| Food | Cooler, ice, food, drinks, condiments, plates, cups, utensils |
| Cooking | Grill, fuel, lighter, tongs, foil, a fire extinguisher if allowed |
| Clean-up | Trash and recycling bags, paper towels, wipes, hand sanitizer |
| Comfort | Sunscreen, rain ponchos, blankets for cold games |
| Tech and light | Phone, power bank, speaker, flashlight |
| Safety | First aid kit, water, the venue's rules |
Light for after the game
Night games mean packing up a grill, chairs and a canopy in a dark lot. A Compact Flat Flashlight with a magnetic tail sticks to the tailgate, trunk lid or a steel canopy leg and lights the work area with the flood beam, while the spot beam helps find the car rows. The colored side strip helps friends find your spot when the lot fills up.
Keys, tickets and cards on you
In the parking lot, a Modular Crossbody Bag keeps keys, cards, a phone, sunscreen and a bottle opener on your body instead of on a table where anyone can pick them up. Small items like car keys, a power bank and cables stay together in a Compact Zip Organizer in the trunk. Before you walk in, check the stadium policy: if your bag isn't allowed inside, move tickets and phone to your pockets and leave the bag locked in the car.
Game day timeline
- Night before: pack the car, freeze water bottles as ice packs, charge everything.
- Arrival: canopy and weights first, then table, then the grill downwind.
- An hour before kickoff: start cleaning up, food away, grill cooling.
- Gates: only allowed items go in; everything else locked in the car.
- After the game: light on, trash bagged, gear packed, a sober driver.
YETI and Coleman are favorites for coolers, and canopy brands like E-Z UP are common sights; the gear matters less than the checklist. For the drive, see a vehicle setup that doesn't rattle.
FAQ
What do I need for a tailgate?
A canopy, chairs and a table, a cooler with food and drinks, a grill and fuel, trash bags, wipes, a first aid kit, chargers and a flashlight for night games.
What bags are allowed in NFL stadiums?
Most NFL stadiums allow clear bags up to a set size or a small clutch. Check your stadium's current policy before the game.
How do I tailgate at a night game?
Bring lights for the cleanup and the walk back, layers for the cold, and start packing up before kickoff so less is left for the dark.
How early should I arrive to tailgate?
Usually when the lots open, often 3 to 5 hours before kickoff; check the venue's lot hours.
What do people forget when tailgating?
Trash bags, a bottle opener, a lighter, sunscreen, chargers and something to light the cleanup.
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General information. Follow the venue's parking, bag and alcohol policies, and never drink and drive. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; ICONTACTIC is not affiliated with them.