Top Tier Tailgating Party Playbook: The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Game Victory
It’s game day, baby. You’ve been unconditionally supporting your team all the way through and today is THE day! You’re gearing up for game day, and you know you’re one pumped up tailgate away from the win.
It’s your job to throw the top tier tailgate your team deserves! It’s all riding on your superstitions and seasoned braised beef baby! This planning playbook is here to take the pressure off so you can focus on what you do best…Scream like you are solely coaching your team to victory! Grab your grill and your team spirit, and let’s get ready to tailgate!
Table of Contents
- Setting Up Your Tailgate
- Planning the Menu
- Beverages and Bar Setup
- Entertainment
- Tailgate Teardown
1. Set Up Your Tailgate
First things first, setting up your tailgate environment. You’re aiming to create an entire area to inspire all the fan fair and fist pumps your team needs to win the big game! Find a prime spot in the parking lot, preferably near the stadium entrance. Don’t forget the cooler with ice to keep your beverages cold.
Bring along a plethora of folding chairs, a table, and a canopy or tent for shade. If you’re a seasoned and fully committed tailgater, de winterize that camper, slide out the outdoor kitchen and blow away some rookies with your outdoor tv and surround sound speakers. For a complete checklist for gameday follow this link for a FREE DOWNLOAD.
2. Gameday Grub
In this playbook, good food = good fan! You can’t have a tailgate without some heavy hitting flavors. Burgers, hot dogs, and brats are classics for a reason, but don’t be afraid to mix it up. Maybe throw some wings on the grill or whip up some gourmet sliders. And don’t forget the sides! Potato salad, coleslaw, and chips and dip are always a hit. If you are feeling lost on what to get cooking, here is just a quick list of mouthwatering dishes to serve all the fellow fans!
Fan Favorite Foods
| Category | Menu Ideas |
| Appetizers | Buffalo Chicken Dip, Loaded Potato Skins, Jalapeno Poppers, Mini Sliders, Caprese Skewers |
| Finger Foods | Chicken Wings, BBQ Meatballs, Mini Tacos, Stuffed Mushrooms, Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp or fried chili relleno wantons |
| Show-Stopping Main Courses | Grilled Steak, BBQ Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Grilled Chicken Skewers, Veggie Kabobs |
| Overtime Encores | Barbacoa Nachos, Football shaped cheeseball and crackers, Homemade trail mix or make-your-own trail mix bar, smashed caramelized onion burger sliders, carrot and celery cups |
| Celebration Desserts | Football-Shaped Rice Krispies Treats, Team Color Cupcakes, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries, Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Caramel Popcorn, S’mores Dip, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Apple Crisp, Brownie Bites, Fruit Skewers |
If you want more ideas on grub, check out this link for “100 Football Party Food Ideas”
3. Beverages and Bar Setup
No tailgate would be complete without a selection of cold beverages. Beer, soda, and cocktails can all be part of the festivities. Mix it up and get creative with your own specialty concoctions. Or set up a DIY cocktail bar with a variety of mixers and garnishes so guests can create their own signature drinks. By the way, don’t forget to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Here’s some Sport-themed twists on the classic cocktails to get you started.
Sport Themed Tailgate Cocktails
| Cocktail Name | Ingredients | Instructions |
| Touchdown Tequila Sunrise | – 2 oz tequila – 4 oz orange juice – 1/2 oz grenadine – Orange slice and cherry for garnish | 1. Fill a glass with ice. 2. Pour the tequila and orange juice over the ice and stir well. 3. Slowly pour the grenadine down the side of the glass, it will sink and create a sunrise effect. 4. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry. 5. Serve and enjoy! |
| Slam Dunk Sangria | – 1 bottle of red wine – 1/4 cup brandy – 1/4 cup orange liqueur – 1/4 cup orange juice – 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda – Sliced oranges, lemons, and limes – Mixed berries (optional) | 1. In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, and orange juice. 2. Stir well to mix. 3. Add sliced oranges, lemons, limes, and mixed berries to the pitcher. 4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow flavors to meld. 5. Just before serving, stir in the lemon-lime soda. 6. Pour into glasses over ice and enjoy! |
| Goalpost G&T (Gin and Tonic) | – 2 oz gin – 4 oz tonic water – 1/2 oz lime juice – Lime wedge for garnish – Rosemary sprig for garnish | 1. Fill a glass with ice. 2. Pour the gin and tonic water over the ice. 3. Squeeze in the lime juice and stir well. 4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a rosemary sprig. 5. Serve and enjoy! |
| Home Run Huddle Mojito | – 2 oz white rum – 1 oz lime juice – 1 oz simple syrup – 6-8 fresh mint leaves – Soda water – Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish | 1. In a glass, muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice and simple syrup. 2. Fill the glass with ice. 3. Pour the white rum over the ice and stir well. 4. Top with soda water and stir gently. 5. Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig. 6. Serve and enjoy! |
| Champion’s Cosmopolitan | – 2 oz vodka – 1 oz cranberry juice – 1/2 oz triple sec – 1/2 oz lime juice – Lime twist for garnish | 1. Fill a shaker with ice. 2. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice to the shaker. 3. Shake well until chilled. 4. Strain into a chilled martini glass. 5. Garnish with a lime twist. 6. Serve and enjoy! |
4. Entertainment
And of course, you’ve got to have some entertainment. A little music, some games, and maybe even a little friendly competition. Setting up a mini basketball hoop or a football toss game are always crowd-pleasers. Or if you’re feeling extra spicey, you can have a sports trivia contest with sports-related clues or a game of cornhole. And if you’re feeling even more ambitious, you can set up a DIY photo booth for some fun memories. Tailgates are all-day, full-blown events – might as well go all out and try one, or all of these ideas below. And let me know what ones your faves are!
Game Day Entertainment for the Tailgate
| Idea | Description |
| Tailgate Olympics | Set up a series of mini-games like a bean bag toss, ladder golf, and a football toss. Award medals to the winners! |
| Team Trivia | Create a trivia game with questions about your favorite team’s history, players, and memorable moments. |
| DIY Photo Booth | Set up a photo booth with props and a backdrop featuring your team’s colors and logo. Encourage guests to take fun photos to remember the day. |
| Tailgate Karaoke | Set up a karaoke machine and have guests sing their favorite sports anthems or songs related to your team. |
| Tailgate Bingo | Create bingo cards with common tailgating items like a grill, cooler, and team flags. The first person to get bingo wins a prize! |
5. Tailgate Teardown
Alright, party people, it’s time for the tailgate teardown. Picture this: It was an extreme all-out game and your team just won, baby, and the parking lot is starting to empty. You’re like the cleanup crew with a touch of gold. All your good luck charms and good vibes brought that victory home.
Dismantle the tents and fold up chairs like it’s your own personal game of Tetris. Let’s not forget the real MVP of this operation – the trash bags and disinfectant wipes! Pack away any remaining food and beverages. Ensure that all personal belongings are accounted for as we bid farewell to the tailgate zone. Leaving no foam finger behind as you pull in your duel-slides and feel success soaking deeper in like your sunburn – because we’re champions, baby!
I am dying to hear about your favorite moments from your tailgate party. Please share them below in the comments. Feel free to swap your favorite recipes or tips for packing up pre or post-game! And I have a post you could check out here called “Sport Party Playbook” if you wanted to keep all the fun festivities at home. Thank you so much for visiting Plan By Blog.
Foam fingers up to the moon,
Anna
Some other articles you may enjoy:
How to Feed People at Your Party
The Ultimate Themed Party Planning Guide: Tips & Ideas
Entertainment Ideas for Your Dinner Party Occasion
All About Indoor & Outdoor Games for Your Next Party
Check out my other Sports Party Blogs to help you throw down one for the books:
Sports Party Playbook: Best Game Plan for Your Next Game Day
Cheers to Victory: Craft Beer and Other Sports-Themed Cocktails
Free Downloads:
Checklist for Your Tailgate Party
Indoor and Outdoor Football Party Food Ideas
Potluck Checklist for Indoor or Outdoor Football Party
My Free Downloads Library Hosts Tons of Printable Planning Pages, Checklists, and more. Check it Out Here:
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