Football season is starting. That means tailgate parties are ramping up too. 

These parties are named for their usual set up in the bed of a pickup truck. Fans of any kind of sport can hold them. But they are a staple of American football games. Some historians believe the first pre-game party was in 1869. That was at a Rutgers-Princeton football game. Attendees ate in their buggies and wagons!

As cars became common, more people drove to games. They needed food after their long drives. Local restaurants were often too busy. So fans began bringing their own picnics. 

Read on to learn about tailgates around the country. 

The South

Before games at “Ole Miss” (the University of Mississippi), fans gather in The Grove. That’s a 10-acre quad on campus. It’s a tradition to dress up. 

At Texas A&M University, the tailgate happens in stadium parking lots. Fans camp out for the best spots. 

Good food is a must. Brisket in Texas or pulled pork in North Carolina are regional favorites. Louisiana schools might celebrate local flavors with Cajun food. Boiled peanuts are also a beloved snack.

The Northeast

Buffalo Bills fans are known for tailgating no matter the weather. They trade food in a tailgate village within the stadium.

At Baltimore Ravens parties, spectators might bring crab cakes. Others prepare pit beef. That’s roast beef cooked on a charcoal fire and often served as a sandwich. There are Buffalo wings for Bills fans. Philadelphia Eagles supporters eat Philly cheesesteaks. And NY Giants fans chow down on classic New York hot dogs. 

The Midwest

The marching band is a highlight of an Ohio State University tailgate. The band rehearses one last time before the game. 

Tailgating at a Green Bay Packers game is all about community. Wear a Cheesehead. That’s a foam hat that looks like a wedge of cheese. It celebrates Wisconsin’s cheese industry. Choose cheese curds for a snack. 

The West Coast

San Francisco 49ers fan groups hold parties in parking lots. The stadium is in Silicon Valley. That’s where many technology companies are headquartered. Levi’s Stadium is known as the most high-tech stadium in the world. Hundreds of solar panels cover the walkway from the main parking area. The stadium uses recycled water for watering the field and flushing toilets.

West Coast tailgaters eat burgers, tacos, and pizza. The dishes often include local ingredients like avocado.