Tailgating isn’t a total free-for-all. In fact, there are actual rules that could completely make or break your pre-game setup. This often depends on safety codes & stadium contracts. We checked out a few, and here are eleven decorations that don’t make it past the parking lot. Any others you think should get the boot?
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Confetti cannons and streamer poppers
The cleanup crew isn’t a fan of confetti cannons & streamer poppers. Neither are the rules. It doesn’t matter if you have a hand-held popper or a big, compressed-air launcher because you’re probably not getting it past the lot entrance. Security screens for them. Anybody throwing streamers around the tailgate zone will get shut down fast.
Tiki torches and open-flame lanterns
Grills are fine. As for decorative flames? Not so much. Most parking lot regulations ban anything that’s burning just for ambiance, including tiki torches & oil lamps. You can’t even have little glass candle lanterns. Essentially, anything that’s not cooking food goes against the fire code, so it needs to stay at home.
Pyro or smoke décor devices
That’s not all. Anything that sparks or smolders, or even blows colored smoke, isn’t allowed. Tailgate bans cover cold-spark fountains & handheld smoke sticks. They also ban those tiny smoke grenades that some people use in photo shoots, regardless of whether you have them just for decoration. They treat them like a pyrotechnic & stop them at the entrance.
Metal flagpoles or oversized flag standards
Team flags are welcome, until you attach them to a flagpole. The majority of tailgate parties won’t allow you to bring metal poles of any kind. They also have height restrictions for the wooden ones, as well as those giant tailgate flag kits with telescoping mounts. You’ll need to take down any that are above the posted limit.
Tethered inflatables
Don’t be surprised to see that the parking lot staff stop any tethered inflatables before they even have any air in them. They’re completely banned. That includes those floppy tube dancers & giant arches, as well as small advertising blimps. You can’t anchor tie-downs in the lot. As such, there’s nowhere to legally secure them, so they’re banned.
Battery-lit signs and light-up banner boards
The message on battery-lit signs & banner boards isn’t the issue. It’s the wiring. Several stadium rules prohibit anything with built-in lights or battery packs unless it’s for official use, which means no LED marquee letters. You’re not allowed to have glowing team logos or flashing boards.
Chalked logos or painted lot murals
It might sound surprising, but marking the pavement, even temporarily, isn’t allowed at most tailgate parties. That means you can’t have any chalk-drawn mascots or end-zone art. Nor are you allowed parking spot borders painted in team colors. Event staff will ask you to remove it on the spot. They’ll also make you clean any leftover paint or chalk dust. Ouch.
Ground-staked signs or feather flags
Lots with grass areas or dirt medians aren’t great for sticking things in the ground. That’s why they’re banned. As such, you won’t be able to bring feather flags & yard signs or banner stands that need stakes. Most officials see these as a tripping hazard. They could also damage sprinkler systems, so you’ll have to improvise another way to display them.
Glitter-coated table covers
Glitter sure looks fun under the sun. However, it’s a nightmare for cleanup crews, as these tiny flecks find their way into every crack in the lot. And that’s even if you stick the glitter to a plastic table cover. Some venues flat-out ban glitter décor. The staff will ask you to swap it out before you unpack the cooler, and rightly so.
Hanging décor from overhead light poles
Those tall stadium light poles may seem perfect for a banner or string of pennants. Yet the cleaning crews don’t allow it, or anything clipped & taped. Why? Because things tied to them could block maintenance access, and if the wind picks up, it could go into the traffic lanes. That’s pretty dangerous.
Rechargeable bubble guns with scented liquid
Basic bubble wands usually pass for tailgate parties. But once you start adding powered motors & scented soap, it’s a different story. The liquid could make the asphalt slick. As for the fragrances, they could cause issues for people nearby. Event rules now group these with other messy gadgets. You’ll get turned away with no wiggle room.
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