For those who know, tailgating is practically a science. Coming up with the right menu, the right tailgating grill, and a rock-solid tailgating setup is a lot—and getting it right takes more than just showing up with a cooler and hoping for the best. Thinking about what to bring to a tailgate can be overwhelming, so we’ve broken down the essentials tailgating pros swear by. Trust us; these tailgating accessories and tools will make your life much easier and less stressful so you can enjoy all your hard work—and the game!
1. Must-Have Tailgating Supplies
You’ll be hanging out here for a while before the game, so make sure you’ve got plenty of tailgating chairs and things to keep people busy. Here’s what to bring:
- We love a sturdy pop-up tent or canopy for tailgating, to be prepared for any weather. If you’re a regular, a full-on tailgating tent is worth the investment, offering more privacy and warmth.
- A folding tailgating table and chairs that pack up easily for transport.
- Games to pass the time—cornhole, pong, or a football to toss around.
- Basics like garbage bags, plates, napkins, cups, and plastic silverware.
- A tailgating flag pole to mark your spot and show team pride.
- A well-stocked first aid kit, because even tailgate accidents happen.
The way we see it, it is always better to have too many essentials than not enough! Regardless of whether you’re rolling in with a giant tailgating trailer or a well-packed-but-tiny tailgating car, a little organization goes a long way.
Pro Tip: Get a pop-up hamper from the dollar store to hold your garbage bag—it makes for a much sturdier trash station than a bag lying on the ground.
2. Must-Have Tools for the Grill
If this is your first time hosting, make sure you know the grilling rules for your venue—not everything marketed as a portable grill for tailgating may be allowed. If a gas grill is off-limits, a small charcoal grill will do the trick. Bringing charcoal? Pack a metal bucket for safely disposing of hot coals once you’re done, and some firestarter to get the party started.
Beyond the grill itself, it’s really the food logistics that can make or break your spread:
- Transporting the beef: Keep your patties in a dedicated Burger cooler for tailgating that is separate from drinks and sides. Raw meat should never share space with ready-to-eat food! Nestle the patties on a layer of ice or a few frozen gel packs, and try to keep them toward the bottom of the cooler, where it stays coldest. Bring some kitchen cleaning spray and paper towels to clean it out as needed.
- Packing the extras: Burgers are only as good as what goes on them. Bring buns, cheese, and a container of pre-sliced toppings—onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles—so you’re not chopping on-site. A squeeze bottle for sauce beats fumbling with glass jars. Not sure where to start? Here are our guides to the best buns for Burgers, the best toppings for Burgers and the best cheeses for Burgers to help.
- Keeping Burgers warm after cooking: Once patties come off the grill, transfer them into a foil pan and tent it loosely with foil. If you want to hold a big batch for a while, stack the pan inside a cooler (preferably with a hot brick wrapped in foil). The insulation traps heat and keeps everything at serving temperature until people are ready to eat
- The grilling toolkit: Spatula, tongs, foil, trays, an apron, oven mitts, and matches or a lighter round out the essentials. And of course, start with the best tailgating food foundation there is—Schweid & Sons’ beef! We recommend you start with The All American Blend Patties or The Signature Blend Sliders.
Pro tip: Freeze some water bottles or a few extra patties flat in a single layer before packing them—they’ll thaw evenly by grill time and act as a backup ice pack in the meantime to act as ice packs!
3. Essential Drink Supplies
No tailgate is complete without plenty of tailgating drinks on hand. Put out different coolers for different types of beverages (clearly marked for kids vs. adults) so everything is easily accessible. Water, soda, beer, and seltzers are only a few of the many drink options to bring to a tailgate. Attach a bottle opener to each cooler so it stays in place for anyone to grab.
If you plan to make a specialty drink, have all the ingredients set out on a separate table or designate someone as the bartender. Alternatively, opt for batch cocktails to make life easy. Make sure to have a separate ice bag for drinks so you’re not drinking anything unsanitary—after all the football throwing, hands are bound to get grimey.
Don’t forget to bring solo cups for easy disposal, but bring a Sharpie so everyone can mark their glass and cut down on waste! And as always, be mindful of garbage disposal rules at the venue you attend.
4. The Tailgate Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed
While they’re not necessarily part of our “tailgating essentials” list, you won’t be sad if you have these extras on hand:
- A portable Bluetooth speaker for tunes. We recommend you prepare some playlists (or download a couple) so you don’t have to DJ.
- Sunblock, because even a chill fall day can turn to sunburn on your face.
- Containers with lids or Ziploc bags for leftovers.
- Hand sanitizer and baby wipes.
- Plenty of paper towels for cleaning up messes and washing hands.
- An extra tub for storing and transporting dirty dishes.
- They’re expensive, but getting a generator for tailgating is very handy if you want to run speakers, a TV, or a slow cooker. Solar generators are quiet, easy to transport, and are usually powerful enough to last through a game!
- Propane-based tailgating heaters are excellent for early or late-season games when the temperature drops.
Make a tailgating checklist* to ensure you’ve got all your gear squared away, and pack a little extra water or cleaning supplies to ease cleanup as the tailgate winds down. You don’t want to take too long and miss the start of the game. Finally, nobody wants to be the subject of an avoidable tailgating accident story, so keep walkways clear and coolers out of high-traffic areas.
*Here is a printable PDF ready for you as a starting point!
Ready to Get Your Party On?
Whether you’re keeping it simple with easy tailgating food and tailgating snacks or going all out with a full spread and a signature Burger bar, the secret to a great tailgate is the same: prep ahead, pack smart, and never underestimate the power of a good checklist. Dial in your tailgating kit, grab your favorite jersey, and get ready to be the tailgate everyone wants an invite to!
And if you’re looking for the centerpiece of it all? Fire up the grill and try our Tailgate Zinger Burger, made with Schweid & Sons patties—because the best tailgates start with the best Burgers, and the best Burgers start with the best beef.
More Schweid & Sons’ Tailgate Wisdom
Here at Schweid & Sons, we take great pride in our tailgating skills. If you’re looking for more easy ways to level up, check out the following guides:
- Your Ultimate Tailgating Plan: From Prep to Party
- The Ultimate Cold Weather Tailgate Plan
- How to Host The Ultimate At-Home Tailgating Party
- Burger Grilling Tips to Kickoff Tailgate Season
- Best Burgers for Tailgating
- Browse our products on the Schweid & Sons website.
- Where can you buy Schweid & Sons? Use our handy store locator here.
- Find more tailgating tips and recipes delivered right to your inbox by signing up for our email newsletter.
- Show us your tailgate style by tagging @schweidandsons or #schweidandsons on Instagram.