It's football season and where there is football, there's bound to be food and friends. For many fans, throwing a tailgate party to welcome the new season is a must, and about 46 percent of fans have six to 10 tailgate parties during a season, according to a tailgating research.
Raring to throw a tailgate party, too? These tips and idea below will have your guests doing an endzone shuffle.
Pregame Preparations
Prepare a checklist for what you'll need so as not to miss out on the details.
Plan what food you're going to serve. It's best to provide foods that are easy to grab and bite, such as sandwiches or pizzas, but meat like sausages, burgers, ribs and pulled pork are also a popular choices, according to CBS Miami. You'll need to prepare some of these foods at least two days before the game.
Shop for supplies and provisions ahead of game day. You'll need disposables for the food and drinks. You'll also need trash bags, paper towels, bottle openers and perhaps a selection of condiments and spices. Arrange these at the back of your car properly so that packing and transition is easier. Use your toolbox for storage.
Will you be having a theme? The team's colors, perhaps? Pick up materials for the party decors along with the rest of the supplies as well.
On Game Day
Pack towels, chairs and other picnic essentials at the back of your truck. Don't forget the grill and at least two coolers. Having a radio is also handy, as you don't want your guests wandering to the other spots for game updates. Better yet, have a portable TV set up!
Pick up the drinks and ice on the way to the stadium.
Arrive at the stadium at least three or four hours before the game to claim your spot. Make sure you have people helping you out on the grill, or serving plates and drinks, or cleaning up after the guests. The field must be covered and guarded, so to speak.
As guests wait for that barbecue to be grilled to perfection, you can have fun by playing party games like Beer or Basket Pong or Flip Cup. If you need the games to be kid-friendly, there are family-approved tailgating games from The Daily Meal.
Clean and pack up at least 30 minutes before the actual game starts so you won't miss the main event.
For more detailed ideas for organizing a tailgate party, check out this infographic:
