Tailgating in college football is as much a part of the game day experience as anything short of the game on the field. A fun and energetic tailgate elevates an entire program. It can bring in a wave of new fans even to a struggling team.
Beyond “it should be good and fun,” there aren’t many rules as to what makes a good tailgate experience. Sure, there are some similarities and general necessities – like you should have drinks, food, and loud noises – but that’s as broad a group of categories as imaginable. There are so many different kinds of tailgates, even from within the same region. Slight changes or unique touches can make one school’s tailgate complete different from their biggest rival.
With all the differences, there are roughly four categories of tailgates, depending on the setting and scenery:
- Parking lots
- Quads
- Bars
- House parties
A lot of schools have multiple of these options available to fans, even if one takes prominence over the others. So having a preferred venue says nothing of the quality of the school’s tailgate scene. A parking lot tailgate at LSU is just as amazing as one on campus. But the different tailgating venues can make a world of difference for different kinds of fans.
Parking Lots
This is the quintessential tailgate scene. When someone includes a tailgate in a movie, it’s set in a parking lot. It’s literally where the term came from. But as the practice has grown, flaws in the system have shown.
Pros: The best part of a parking lot tailgate is the people around you. Everyone is right there and passing through, it’s going to be busy and exciting and everyone is feeling great. Another huge positive is the ease of pulling all the supplies right out of the car. There is no need to lug a grill around or worry about finding parking close to a destination. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Sit in that folding chair, enjoy a burger and beer, and wait for you turn to play bags. The smells and sounds of this particular spot are unmatched.
Cons: You’re kind of stuck. It probably was a hassle to get the spot, and leaving after the game will take you roughly 10 years. It’s also going to be expensive, so you need to have the most fun ever, or else! The biggest negative is basically the other side of the “it’s all in your car” positive. If you can’t fit it in your car, you won’t be able to find it. Need to use the bathroom? Nope, hold it until you’re in the game. Forgot something at home? Too bad, there is no replacement.
Absolute Necessities: Grill, fold up table, fold up chairs, food
The Quad
This has a different name on every campus but it’s all basically the same thing; a big green field relatively close to the stadium, often with a meaningful landmark and lots of tradition. This is where the game’s TV crew will be set up to get B-roll of fans.
Pros: The views are immaculate. This is going to be the most aesthetically pleasing option by a mile. Everyone tends to be in a friendly mood, and it’s definitely the most family-friendly option. It’s the place to find a multi-generational tailgate, where there is an alumnus who can walk you through every season of football since the invention of the forward pass and three grade schoolers playing their own football game in brand new jerseys. It’s also the place where the university probably invested the most gameday infrastructure, which means there are amenities available that aren’t options in a parking lot.
Cons: Campus codes will be enforced. Everything from parking in the wrong spot, to getting too raucous, to hanging out at the wrong times will get you fined. It’s also not the place to go if you’re really looking for a party, which means music selection will get judged. And if your one friend shows up who has been tailgating since before dawn, they will be noticed, and not in a good way.
Absolute Necessities: Grill, fold up table, fold up chairs, food, canopy, speakers
Bars
This is more of a thing on specific campuses across the country. Some just lend themselves more to going to an establishment more than setting up a tailgate. It offers the most unique setup of any of the other options, for better or worse.
Pros: Almost no planning is necessary for this. You just need to pick a bar and show up. Yes, some college-town bars get more crowded than others and may take some planning out, but it’s a bar, you know what you’re getting into. Everything you need is already there – food, drinks, atmosphere, toilets – it’s all there and waiting for you. The other added benefit is if a group decides to not get into the stadium for kickoff, they are at a good spot to watch the game. Or if there are low expectations for the home team, there are always other games on tv to watch.
Cons: Even with all the money it takes to buy supplies for a tailgate, this is the most expensive option. Gameday prices are a thing, and even just buying domestic beers all day will add up in a hurry. That’s especially true if you’re bringing a group and it’s all going on one tab. Also, there is almost nothing special about the atmosphere. Yes, they will almost certainly play the fight song a million times, but it’s still just a bar. It will be about the same experience as if you went on a Friday night. The final negative is logistics, you still have to figure out a way to get from the bar to the stadium, and that could take up a significant amount of time.
Absolute Necessities: Money and lots of it, a plan to get to the stadium
House Party
This can mean something different in almost any situation, it’s easily the most versatile option. It takes the right host to pull it off, but it’s truly an experience that you can make of it what you wish. As long as you’re good spending time in a college house.
Pros: If you trust the host, you should know basically exactly what you’re getting into. It’s also the option that allows you to really lean in the most. There are bathrooms on hand, food is easy to come by, and this option has the most room of any of the others. It’s also the spot where parking should be the easiest in every sense. Want a specific kind of drink, that can happen. Forgot your phone charger, no worries. Feel a little squeamish eating that last burger still sitting on the grill, there’s something else you can find. There is no one who will judge you or your decisions at a college house tailgate; that’s all between you and your creator.
Cons: You do have to feel comfortable spending hours at a college house. Whether it’s a frat house or just your standard run-down home, college kids live there and it will look as such. The ambiance is completely left up to you to build, you can’t just roll the energy over from someone else’s setup. Also, there are logistics involved again. Always figure out your route to the stadium before the day’s first drink, and DO NOT forget the tickets.
Absolute Necessities: Ability to bring supplies of any kind at the host’s request (you have to be ready for anything), a plan to get to the stadium
