Tailgating sounds easy—just show up, grill some stuff, toss a football around & cheer for your team. But somehow, every year, someone forgets something important and ends up eating half-cooked sausages while sitting on a cooler full of warm beer. If you’re new to this, or just wanna stop being “that person,” we’re here to help. Here are eleven tailgate mistakes only rookies make and how to avoid them.
Featured Image Credit: ArturVerkhovetskiy/Depositphotos.com.
Forgetting to Bring a Meat Thermometer
Nobody wants to guess if the chicken’s done because it’s how people get sick—a tiny digital thermometer takes, like, two seconds to use and saves everyone from playing food roulette. You don’t need anything fancy either, just something that reads fast & doesn’t melt if it touches the grill, and you can keep it in your grill bag so it’s always there.
Not Checking the Stadium Rules
Some stadiums are relaxed and others are far stricter, meaning you should always, always check the rules before you go. Otherwise, you’ll spend the first hour unloading, then the next hour reloading everything you weren’t supposed to bring. There are even a few places that ban charcoal grills or open flames altogether—and don’t assume last year’s rules still apply because stadiums update stuff all the time, especially after one person does something dumb.
Packing One Giant Cooler
Spreading stuff out, with drinks in one cooler and raw stuff in another, helps you avoid those embarrassing moments when you reach for a drink, only to find your hand sinks elbow-deep into a slushy pile of chicken juice & wet lettuce. Small coolers are easier to carry, too, since you won’t need to wrestle a 100-quart monster across the pavement. You should also label them so that everybody knows what’s in each one.
Playing Music off Your Phone Speaker
If you really thought that tiny speaker was gonna cut through parking lot chaos, then you thought wrong. Between roaring grills and ten different groups blasting their own playlists, your phone’s doing exactly nothing—bring a real speaker that will allow your party to enjoy itself. You should charge it the night before and put it in the front seat so you don’t forget. Bluetooth ones with long battery life & decent volume don’t cost much anymore, and you get bonus points if it’s waterproof.
Forgetting Paper Towels or Trash Bags
Paper towels are an essential for every tailgate, and trash bags are even more important—it’s a rookie mistake not to think about the aftermath. Bring the big roll and stash it in a dry spot, along with two trash bags minimum, one of which you can use for regular stuff and one for recyclables if you’re feeling organized. You shouldn’t rely on the stadium to provide bins nearby because half the time, they’re full or nowhere close.
Wearing Team Colors But Not Checking the Weather
While you might be repping the team with your cool jersey, it’s just too bad that you’re also sweating buckets in 90 degrees or shivering in a sudden drizzle. Weather apps exist for a reason, so dress smart & stash a hoodie or poncho in the car—don’t forget sunscreen either because even cloudy days can cause sunburn if you’re out there for hours. Windy weather is also annoying because it could blow your tent or umbrella across the parking lot.
Only Bringing Beer
Everyone loads up on IPAs & lagers, but they forget that not everyone wants to sip suds for five hours straight, as designated drivers and non-drinkers exist. You should include some waters & sodas—perhaps some juice boxes for the kids—so that people don’t end up cracking open a beer just to stay hydrated. Don’t forget about ice pops or sports drinks, either, as they’re cheap and will make a difference when the sun’s been out all day.
Bringing Chairs But No Table
While it’s great that you brought chairs, where’s everyone supposed to put their food? On their lap? On the tailgate with three other people’s stuff? A fold-out table is something that every rookie forgets about, even though it’s something that you need to stack your snacks & set up the grill gear. They sell compact ones that fold up to nothing and take 30 seconds to set up—a basic card table works well, too, just wipe it down before laying out food.
Running Out of Propane
Midway through cooking, the flames die, and now you have half-done burgers and a confused crowd—always check your tank before you leave. Better yet, put a spare in the trunk because nothing kills the mood faster than raw meat and no Plan B. If you’re using a charcoal grill, do the same thing and pack more than you think you’ll need, and while you’re at it, check your lighter or matches too.
Starting Late and Getting Stuck in a Far-Off Spot
Rolling in fashionably late might work for parties but not tailgates because the good spots are long gone, and you’ll end up three parking lots away, surrounded by strangers & squinting to find your friends. Set your alarm and get there early so that you’re able to stake your claim—some people line up hours ahead, and the regulars all know each other. Showing up at noon for a 1 p.m. game means you’ll be wedged between two random SUVs next to the porta-potties.
Not Marking Your Spot
Once things fill up, it’s just tents & coolers as far as the eye can see, and if you wander off to say hi to friends, you might suddenly be lost. Bring something noticeable, like a flag or balloon, so that you’re able to easily find your way back. Don’t be the one texting “I’m by the red truck” when there are 300 red trucks.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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