As the college sports season kicks off, it’s time to get your tailgating game on point. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time tailgater, having the right gear can create an unforgettable game day experience. This blog reveals our top 8 tailgating essentials that elevate your pre-game festivities from average to extraordinary. From practical must-haves to fun extras, these items will keep your team and fans in high spirits and ready for a winning season.
Why Americans Love Tailgating
Tailgating is a long-standing American custom that traces back to the harvest festivals of ancient Greece and Rome! Today’s pregame partying gained popularity alongside the rise of car ownership in the U.S., as fans could travel more easily to football games. With local restaurants unable to handle the game-day crowds in college towns, many fans started bringing their meals, turning parking lots into makeshift dining areas.
The post-World War II boom in suburban barbecuing and increased car ownership in the 1950s helped tailgating grow into a popular group activity. As NFL teams began constructing stadiums with expansive parking areas, the tradition took off, with football fans gathering for lively pre-game parties complete with food, drinks, socializing, and games like cornhole.
Here are some quick stats to consider about the importance of tailgating for so many sports enthusiasts:
- 61% of Americans tailgate five or more times every season
- 41% of sports fans tailgate more than eight times a season
- 93% of tailgaters prepare their food at the venue where they’re tailgating
- Sports fans eat 13 billion meals a year at tailgate events
- 64% of tailgaters are aged 25 to 44, showing that students’ families and friends join in the tailgate fun at your school stadium
4 Reasons Why Tailgating Events Are So Important for Colleges
Tailgating parties are super-important for colleges and their communities for several reasons:
1. Tailgate events create a sense of school spirit and community: Tailgating parties are a vibrant expression of school spirit and pride on your campus. They bring together students, alumni, faculty, and fans to celebrate and support their college teams. This unity and collective enthusiasm strengthen the community and enhance overall school morale.
2. They create an even more exciting game day experience: Tailgating adds an extra layer of excitement and enjoyment to game days – transforming a standard sports event into a full-day celebration with food, drinks, and social activities. This enhanced experience contributes to the game's overall atmosphere and can lead to higher attendance and greater fan engagement at your stadium or sports field.
3. Tailgates create opportunities for new friendships and connections: Tailgates can be valuable networking events, allowing alums and current students to connect and build relationships. These gatherings also provide opportunities for professional networking, mentorship, and fostering a sense of belonging within the alum network, which can benefit both personal and professional growth.
4. Tailgates help generate revenue and support: Successful tailgating events can generate additional revenue for your college through merchandise sales, sponsorships, and donations. They also provide a fun platform for promoting various college initiatives, fundraising efforts, and community outreach programs, further supporting the institution’s goals and mission.
8 Tailgating Must-Haves Your Fans Will Be Excited to Get From You
If you want to make your college brand a big part of tailgates on your campus – and beyond – check out these eight tailgating essentials to give away or sell to make this sports season the best one yet!
1. Custom Coolers: Custom coolers are perfect for keeping drinks and perishable food cold throughout the tailgate so everyone stays refreshed and energized. Colleges can use these coolers as attractive promotional items, offering them as part of a tailgating gear bundle or as exclusive prizes in social media contests and early ticket purchase incentives.
2. Barbecue Sets: BBQ sets are must-haves for grilling and cooking at tailgates, adding a fun and interactive element to the event. You can sell or give away these sets as part of a tailgating gear package or include them in a sweepstakes for season ticket holders or loyal alumni, enhancing the tailgating experience. If you’re on a budget, give tailgaters a barbecue spice set, grilling utensil, or an apron—and they’ll use the items over and over.
3. Stadium Chairs: Custom event chairs offer portable and comfortable seating options for tailgaters, enhancing their game-day experience. Your school can provide these chairs as part of a tailgating gear bundle, sell them as exclusive merchandise, or include them in giveaways for loyal supporters and special promotions for alumni events.
4. Cornhole Sets: Branded cornhole sets add a fun, competitive element to any tailgating event, giving fans an interactive way to pass the time before the game. Colleges can offer custom cornhole boards and bags as part of fundraising efforts and alumni giveaways or sell them as premium merchandise for fans looking to take their tailgating experience to the next level!
5. Tailgating Flags, Banners, and Foam Hands: Branded flags and foam hands help showcase school spirit and create a festive atmosphere at tailgates. These items can be used to decorate tailgating areas, making them more inviting, or given away as part of your promotional contests and sold as collectible merchandise.
6. Logoed Drinkware: Everyone needs cups and tumblers to serve beverages and enjoy their favorite drinks in style. Colleges can give out branded drinkware at tailgates, offer it as a gift with the purchase of season tickets, or include it in merchandise bundles for sale.
7. Tailgating Blankets: Tailgating blankets with your team name and mascot provide warmth and comfort during cooler weather, making the tailgating experience more enjoyable regardless of the temperature. You can sell or give away branded blankets as part of a tailgating essentials package or use them as incentives for alumni donations or promotional campaigns.
8. Branded Pop-Up Tents: Branded pop-up tents provide shade and shelter, creating a comfortable gathering space for tailgaters. Your college can use these tents as central hubs at tailgating events or offer them as premium giveaways in more extensive fundraising campaigns to alums, turning them into a valuable tool for creating dedicated, college-themed areas.
Take Your Tailgating Experience to the Next Level With Branded Gear From Campus Stop
Campus Stop offers a variety of top-notch tailgating essentials to enhance your game day experience. Our experienced team provides superior customer service, competitive pricing, and custom designs tailored to make your tailgate stand out.
From must-have gear to game-day extras, Campus Stop delivers items that excite, engage, and elevate tailgating events. We understand the importance of a successful sports season and ensure that our products help you create memorable and enjoyable pre-game celebrations.
Visit us at www.campusstop.com or email us directly at sales@campusstop.com to explore how Campus Stop can enhance your tailgating experience with our wide range of top-quality essentials.
