Where Can You Find the Best NFL Tailgate Parties?
By
Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 25 August 2023
Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief
Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.
Best NFL Tailgate Parties
- Best NFL Tailgates Unveiled
- Best Tailgating Experiences
- AT&T Stadium: Dallas Cowboys
- Lincoln Financial Field: Philadelphia Eagles
- Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City Chiefs
- FirstEnergy Stadium: Cleveland Browns
- Lambeau Field: Green Bay Packers
- Frequently Asked Questions
Tailgating is an important part of the NFL experience, with each stadium offering a unique blend of food, festivities, and fan culture. This blog looks at the best NFL tailgate event you can attend – and each stadium we’ve picked offers a unique blend of action, food, and culture!
Best NFL Tailgates Unveiled
Of course, it’s never easy to pinpoint the best NFL tailgate venue when there are so many choices! However, we’ve managed to narrow down our favorite five, each providing a distinct flavor of celebration. The Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium is known for its first-class tailgating, with over 24,000 parking spots and a Tex-Mex influenced menu.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field is home to passionate fans who bring their city’s love for cheesesteaks to the tailgate. Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs, is renowned for its barbecue, while Cleveland Browns’ FirstEnergy Stadium, also known as the “Factory of Drunkenness,” offers a vibrant tailgating scene.
Lastly, Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers, is considered the pinnacle of NFL tailgating, with brats, sausages, cheese curds, and Miller brand beer reflecting Wisconsin’s culinary traditions.
Sure, we may focus on the best NFL mobile sports betting apps, but we also like to write about the history and culture of the sport – so, sit back and enjoy our rundown of the best NFL tailgates!
Best Tailgating Experiences
Tailgating is a cherished tradition in the NFL, transforming game day into a full-fledged celebration. It’s a time when fans gather to revel in their shared love for their team, bonding over food, drinks, and anticipation of the game. The best tailgating experiences offer more than just a pre-game party; they allow participants to connect with other fans in a way you can’t do at bars or in restaurants.
Each stadium offers a unique tailgating experience, reflecting the character of the team and its fans. In Dallas, tailgating is a first-class affair, with fans setting up elaborate spreads in the expansive parking lots of AT&T Stadium. The menu often features a Tex-Mex influence, a nod to the local cuisine. In Philadelphia, tailgating is a passionate display of city pride, with cheesesteaks being a staple at every gathering.
The tailgating scene in Kansas City is a barbecue lover’s dream, with the aroma of grilled meats filling the air around Arrowhead Stadium. Cleveland Browns’ fans turn the parking lots of FirstEnergy Stadium into a lively party scene, while in Green Bay, tailgating at Lambeau Field is a showcase of Wisconsin’s culinary traditions, featuring brats, sausages, cheese curds, and local beers.
Tailgating is also a showcase of creativity and innovation. Fans go all out to express their team spirit, with decorated vehicles, themed outfits, and elaborate food spreads. It’s a competition in its own right, with fans vying for the title of the best tailgater. Here’s a few key things to remember:
| Key Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | NFL stadium parking lots or designated areas nearby. |
| Time | Typically, tailgating starts a few hours before the game and lasts until kickoff. |
| Food and Drinks | Fans bring their own food, grills, and beverages. Some stadiums may have restrictions on alcohol consumption. |
| Activities | Tailgating often involves games like cornhole and football toss, and music playing from speakers. Some stadiums have live music or entertainment options. |
| Community | Tailgating creates a sense of community, where fans come together to celebrate their team, make friends, and share stories. |
AT&T Stadium: Dallas Cowboys
AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys, is a tailgating paradise and has perhaps the best tailgate setup around. Known as America’s team, the Cowboys’ fans know how to throw a first-class tailgate. The stadium, located miles away from downtown Dallas, boasts over 24,000 parking spots, providing ample space for fans to set up their tailgates. The tailgating experience at AT&T Stadium is a reflection of the city’s vibrant culture and the team’s passionate fan base.
The tailgating scene at AT&T Stadium is pretty lively with fans arriving hours before kickoff to set up their spots. The aroma of grilled meats fills the air, with the menu often featuring a Tex-Mex influence, a nod to the local cuisine. From tacos and enchiladas to chili and nachos, the food at a Cowboys tailgate is a genuine feast!
The stadium’s tailgating rules ensure a fair and safe experience for all. Tailgating is allowed on the grass areas on the perimeter of the parking lots, and each tailgate space can occupy a maximum area of 9-feet wide and 12-feet deep. The rules also stipulate that all guests must follow the directions and instructions provided by stadium personnel, dispose of trash in the appropriate receptacles, and coals must be disposed of in the designated coal containers.
Lincoln Financial Field: Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles fans are known for their passion and dedication, and this also happens to extend to their tailgating traditions. Lincoln Financial Field, home to the Eagles, is a magnet for tailgating activity on game days. Located a few miles from downtown Philadelphia, the stadium offers thousands of parking spaces, making it an ideal spot for tailgating.
Eagles fans are known for their love of good food, and no tailgate is complete without the city’s iconic cheesesteaks. Fans who aren’t able to perfect their own cheesesteak recipe often stop at local favorites like Pat’s or Geno’s. Other popular tailgate foods include hoagies from Wawa and a variety of meats from the city’s numerous Italian delis.
The tailgating scene at Lincoln Financial Field is proof of the city’s love for its team. Despite the Eagles’ reputation for having some of the most passionate and sometimes rowdy fans in the NFL, the tailgating experience is welcoming and inclusive. The Eagle’s matches are always top tailgating games to attend so do your best to get down to one!
Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City, Missouri, is renowned for its barbecue, and this culinary tradition is a cornerstone of the tailgating experience at Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs. The aroma of barbecued meats fills the air on game days, creating a mouth-watering welcome for fans. Brats, beer, and bacon are other core tailgating staples, making the tailgate lots a food lover’s paradise.
The Truman Sports Complex, where Arrowhead Stadium is located, offers an almost endless landscape of parking, making it an ideal spot for tailgating. The lack of nearby bars, restaurants, or hotels means that fans are almost compelled to tailgate, turning the parking lots into a sea of red and gold on game days.
Chiefs fans are known for their passion and loyalty, and this is evident in their tailgating traditions. From elaborate food spreads to decked-out vehicles, fans go all out to show their team spirit. The atmosphere is festive and welcoming, with fans of all ages joining in the celebrations.
FirstEnergy Stadium: Cleveland Browns
FirstEnergy Stadium, home to the Cleveland Browns, is known for its vibrant tailgating scene. The epicenter of the action is the Municipal Lot, or “Muni Lot,” where fans gather early to secure their spots and start the festivities. The tailgate lots at FirstEnergy Stadium open at 7:00 AM, giving fans plenty of time to set up and start the party.
The food at a Browns tailgate is awesome, with fans cooking up a variety of game day favorites. From grilled meats to local specialties, the menu reflects the city’s diverse culinary scene. And of course, no tailgate would be complete without a cold beer, with local brews being a popular choice among fans.
Of course, we wouldn’t suggest opposing fans go down to torment – but we’re confident you’d still be prompted to kick back and enjoy some of the delicious food the Browns’ fans have got going!
Lambeau Field: Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is renowned for its rich football history and vibrant game-day atmosphere. One of the most exciting aspects of attending a game at Lambeau Field is the unique tailgating experience that fans cherish. Tailgating at Lambeau Field is a time-honored tradition that brings together fans from all walks of life to celebrate their love for the Green Bay Packers.
Before kickoff, the Lambeau Field parking lot transforms into a sea of grills, tents, and vibrant green and gold decorations. Fans arrive early, donning their favorite Packers jerseys and engaging in pre-game festivities. The aroma of sizzling bratwursts, burgers, and other grilled delicacies fills the air as tailgaters gather around their vehicles, sharing food, drinks, and stories. It’s not uncommon to see generations of families gathered together, passing down their Packers traditions and memories.
The tailgating scene at Lambeau Field is known for its lively energy and spirited activities. Fans engage in friendly competitions like cornhole, football tosses, and even impromptu pickup games, adding to the festive atmosphere. Music blares from speakers, and laughter fills the air as fans revel in the anticipation of the game.
For many, however, the highlight of the tailgating experience at Lambeau Field is the “Lambeau Leap.” Fans reenact the iconic touchdown celebration by leaping into the welcoming arms of their fellow fans, creating lasting memories and capturing the essence of the Packers’ spirit.
Ultimately, tailgating at Lambeau Field is about more than just food and games — it’s about forging connections, celebrating a storied franchise, and experiencing the unwavering dedication of Packers fans.
