Tailgate Checklist: What To Bring To a Tailgate Party

A tailgate party is an outdoor social gathering that takes much place before a sporting event, music concert, or large gathering. It usually takes place in a parking lot or around the venue. People arrive early to barbecue, chat, drink, and play games together, warming up for the event in a relaxed atmosphere.

Due to the rich resources, which range from food and drinks to equipment and entertainment props, a large number of items need to be prepared.

Without prior planning, it's easy to forget some items, which can negatively impact the overall experience. This article will introduce various tailgate checklists that you need to prepare when attending a tailgate party, helping you to quickly check them before you set off.

What to Bring to a Tailgate Party?

The success of a tailgate party largely depends on the adequacy of prior preparation. Checking the rules and regulations of the parking lot or event venue is a crucial first step. Different venues have specific restrictions on the size of sunshades, the type of barbecue equipment, the use of open flames, the volume of sound equipment, and the parking area. 

If these regulations are not understood in advance, some equipment may become unusable, or even need to be temporarily stored away or rescheduled. Once the rules are confirmed, compiling a clear tailgate checklist based on common needs will make preparation easier. The following is for reference only.

Must-Have Tailgate Essentials

The preparations for a tailgate party are quite scattered, and different items serve distinct purposes on-site. To facilitate easier reference and practical use, the following sections will categorize these items by usage scenario and list several common and essential categories required for the party.

Tailgate Food & Drink

There is limited time available for cooking and preparing ingredients before the competition. If the ingredients are not prepared in advance, washing, cutting, or marinating them on-site can take up a lot of time, affecting the enjoyment of the party and social interaction.

Furthermore, the conditions in the parking lot or event venue are often limited. Water, power, and workspace are not always readily available, making many steps inconvenient to complete on-site. Depending on the day's schedule, you can choose to make a simple barbecue on-site using portable grills and other equipment. 

Of course, you can also prepare cooked or semi-finished food in advance, and simply heat it up or enjoy it on-site. Pre-cutting, marinating, bagging, or placing ingredients in insulated containers are good ways to improve efficiency.

When barbecuing, the tailgate checklist of tools you'll need include:

• Portable grill, along with propane or charcoal and lighter fluid
  
• Matches or lighter for ignition
  
• Grilling utensils such as tongs, spatulas, and other barbecue tools
  
• Meat thermometer for measuring doneness
  
• Aluminum foil and plastic wrap for wrapping and storing food
  
• Paper plates, plastic utensils, and cups for convenient dining and sharing
  
• Folding tables and folding chairs are used for placing food and dining.
  
• Plastic tablecloths make it easy to keep things clean and simplify cleanup.
  

By the way, beverages and perishable ingredients require proper refrigeration, so it's best to bring coolers with ice. These can be used to store cold drinks, raw meat, or pre-prepared foods.

The items you prepare should prioritize portability, ease of on-site consumption, and suitability for sharing among multiple people. Suitable options include grilled staples like burgers, hot dogs, sausages, and chicken wings, along with ready-to-eat snacks such as potato chips, salads, and tortilla chips.

For beverages, prepare bottled water, cold drinks, or chilled beer for easy access and sharing among the group.

Tailgate Gears (Tailgate Tent, Folding Chair, etc)

The more well-equipped your tailgate party is, the more comfortable and enjoyable the experience will be. Here are some common and practical tailgate checklist of gears:

• Tailgate tent
  
• Folding chairs
  
• Folding table
  
• Plastic tablecloth
  
• Tickets or admission credentials
  
• Team flag or banner
  

It's worth mentioning that pole tents like Sheltent are perfect for tailgate parties. Made from durable PVC material and aluminum alloy poles, they offer waterproof, UV-resistant, and flame-retardant properties. If your pre-game gathering is in summer, it provides shade and relief from the heat. On rainy days, it delivers reliable shelter from the rain.

Most importantly, these tents offer high customization. You can print your team's logo on the canopy or use team colors, and then add flag decorations. This absolutely boosts the atmosphere and team spirit. 

Tailgate Necessities & Suppliers

In addition to food and equipment, you'll need to prepare some daily essentials in advance to maintain a clean site, facilitate meal service and food distribution, and ensure hygiene and safety. It can also help you handle unexpected situations.

• Disposable tableware, paper cups, and paper plates for convenient dining and distribution
  
• Plastic containers and aluminum foil for packing leftovers or takeout
  
• Hand sanitizer, wipes, and paper towels to maintain hygiene during meals and operations
  
• Trash bags for centralized waste disposal to keep the venue tidy
  

Tailgate Game & Entertainment

Tailgate parties are not just about food and socializing, they’re also a great way to energize the crowd for the game. To make sure everyone has a good time, it’s a good idea to plan some games and entertainment in advance. You can set up simple, easy-to-play games like cornhole, ring toss, card games, dice games, or small tabletop games.

These activities don’t take up much space, are easy to bring along, and allow multiple people to play at the same time.

Beyond these games, you can add more entertainment to keep the party lively. Playing music through a portable speaker is just the first step in creating a fun atmosphere. If there’s enough open space, you can also enjoy sports like frisbee, soccer, baseball, or soft football. To boost team spirit, consider wearing your team’s colors or coordinating outfits with friends.

Other Tailgate Checklists for Safety and Comfort

Tailgate parties typically last for hours or even an entire day outdoors. Without planning ahead for protection and comfort, it's easy for everyone to feel exhausted or uncomfortable.

Therefore, beyond preparing food, gear, and entertainment, it's essential to pay attention to safety and comfort details. Here are some common and practical tailgate party checklist of items to bring:

• Sunscreen
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Insect repellent
  
• Blanket
  
• First aid kit
  
• Hat or sun hat
  
• Portable water bottle
  
• Insulated bag or ice pack
  
• Lightweight raincoat or poncho
  

Conclusion

Planning a successful and enjoyable tailgate party requires careful preparation, from food and equipment to entertainment, safety, and comfort. We hope this tailgate checklist can help you stay organized and efficient while getting ready for your party.

If you want to set up a stable and comfortable gathering space, you can reach out to Sheltent at any time. Our team provides professional party tent solutions and can recommend the right size based on your number of guests and venue. We can also customize the tent with your team’s colors or logo to create a personalized and vibrant tailgate experience.