How to Tailgate Like a Pro on NFL Gameday

Got your tickets all squared away? Excellent. Now it’s time to tailgate.

Claim Your Territory

The fun starts early on Sundays. Most NFL stadium lots open four-to-six hours before kickoff, which gives you more than enough time to work your way through traffic, grab a good spot and promptly get to chilling and tossing the football around. For details on your specific venue, check out your stadium’s website or this super helpful list of tailgating parking lots. After the game ends, you can keep the party going while traffic clears out, since most lots will stay open for several hours after the fourth quarter.

Know The Rules

Keep the penalty flags out of the parking lot. Before you arrive, take a minute to get familiar with the stadium rules (typically posted on the venue’s website) and the NFL’s bag policy. Some might not allow open flames, meaning no charcoal or wood grills. The same goes for alcohol — only certain kinds of drinks get the all-clear. And trust us, they’re not trying to be a giant buzzkill — just making sure everyone’s on the same page and gets home safely at the end of the day.

Get Your Grill On

Gameday grilling is at the heart of all great tailgates. Hot dogs, burgers and beer are staples for a reason, but if you’re looking to elevate your game to grillmaster status, get inspired to take your tailgate fare to another level with lists like this one and this one. And definitely bring a little extra — before you know it, you’ll be sharing with your fellow fans and toasting to your team with your new neighbors.

From the parking lots, to the front gate, to the end zone – Ticketmaster’s got you covered this NFL season.

Tags

• NFL