Serious football fans believe in seriously fun tailgating, so don't leave anything to chance when you head for the stadium.
Once you've decided on your tailgating menu, use our Game-Day Checklist to make sure that you have everything you need to enjoy the food in style. If you're a season-ticket holder and tailgate almost every weekend, keep your supplies all in once place, packed, and ready to load up for the next week.
Whether you're a tailgating rookie or a seasoned pro, our guide gets you ready for the ultimate game-day experience. You might even get penalized for excess celebration.
Keep it Safe
Because tailgate parties are usually all-day food fests and grilling extravaganzas, they're also a time of increased risk of food poisoning. Before you pack your cooler and head off to the game, remember these simple food safety tips.
Catch the Tailgating Fever
Keep hot food hot and keep cold food cold.
Pack food in a well-insulated cooler with plenty of ice or icepacks to keep temperature below 40º F.
Take foods in the smallest quantity needed-pack only the amount of food you think you'll use. Consider taking along non-perishable foods and snacks that don't need to be refrigerated.
Keep raw foods separate from already prepared foods.
Transport the cooler in the back seat of your air-conditioned car instead of in your hot trunk and keep your cooler closed tight.
Bring moist towelettes or soap and water to clean your hands and surfaces often.
Remove from the cooler only the amount of raw meat, fish or poultry that will fit on the grill at one time.
Cook your favorite foods to the right temperature by using a meat thermometer; hamburger to at least 160º F and chicken breasts to 170º F.
Don't let food sit out for more than two hours. On a hot day (90º F or higher), reduce this time to one hour.
When the tailgate is over, discard all perishable foods if there is no longer sufficient ice in the cooler or if gel packs are no longer frozen.
For more tips on food safety visit the following sites:
 | Tailgating has become a national pastime for sports lovers everywhere because it gives you the opportunity to show off your team spirit, not to mention your grilling skills. Knowing what to expect and being ready for the weather conditions will help ensure that you have a good time. |
 | At a tailgate party, people congregate, grill food, drink beverages, and play some picnic games. Sometimes the guests have the tailgate party a few hours before the sporting event, go to the event and then go home. Other times, the whole event takes place at the tailgate party, including listening to the game on a radio or watching the action on a portable TV. |
 | Big or small, your tailgate party needs to be well-planned in order to succeed, so start by creating a list of tailgating supplies. Go beyond setting up lawn chairs and eating sandwiches, and get the right accessories to make a truly memorable party atmosphere right before the big game. |
Cheering your favorite sports team on with a tailgate party can be a lot of fun, and you may be surprised to learn that it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. For fun ways to turn your next tailgate party into a thrifty affair, consider the following. |
There is a giant misconception that to have a great tailgate one needs to have a $5,000 grill, Omaha Steaks, and beer that is imported. That is not the way to have a great American Tailgate. There are a few necessities needed and a few luxuries that are often overlooked. |
