The Top Tailgating Destination in Every State

The Pregame Party Is Back
Fall is here and that means the return of football season and every traveling sports fan’s favorite tradition of tailgating. Whether cheering on college athletes or the pros, the best destinations to visit are the places where the football-inspired festivities and fun kick-off long before game time. Whether you’re in Rhode Island or California, the United States offers no shortage of spectacular tailgating destinations. Here are the best places to warm up for the game in every state this year.

Alabama: Tuscaloosa
With six national titles in the past 13 years, the Alabama Crimson Tide receives top billing when it comes to tailgating in the Heart of Dixie. Whether you’re dropping into Tuscaloosa as a diehard Bama lover or a fan of the visiting school, get yourself a cold Yellowhammer and get ready to party like a champion.

Alaska: Anchorage
Alaska’s biggest sports bar and restaurant, The Peanut Farm in Anchorage is the place to be on gameday in America’s Last Frontier as patrons will enjoy homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner, dozens of cold beers on tap and, most importantly, more than 70 high-definition screens showing virtually every live sporting event on the planet.

Arizona: Glendale
Although Tucson is abuzz ahead of University of Arizona home football games and Tempe goes wild for the rival Arizona State Sun Devils in the fall, visitors to the desert won’t want to miss a chance to tailgate with the Arizona Cardinals faithful outside of State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Before the “Big Red” siren sounds, football fans can enjoy food, drinks, music and games on The Great Lawn, hang with friends at the Red Zone Tailgate, and lounge while catching up on the latest pregame notes at the Cardinals Flight Deck or kick back with a bite at the Prime Time Grill.

Arkansas: Fayetteville
For the best tailgating in Arkansas, travelers will want to join the passionate fanbase of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are coming off of their first winning season since 2016 so the atmosphere outside of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be as electric as ever whether you’re gearing up for gameday at Road Hog Park, The Gardens or Victory Village.

California: Los Angeles
This one is easy. Los Angeles is the place to tailgate in the Golden State. Start the party with spirited USC fans along Trousdale Parkway on Saturday and then make your way south to Inglewood to explore the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, home to not one but two NFL franchises in the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Colorado: Denver
If you plan on doing any tailgating in the Rocky Mountain State this fall, be sure to head to Denver. The Mile High City certainly knows how to hype up their hometown Broncos at the professional level but visitors will also be just a half-hour from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a little more than an hour-long drive from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Connecticut: New Haven
The UConn Huskies football program hasn’t been competitive in years so visitors to Connecticut may consider bypassing East Hartford for New Haven this fall as hometown Yale University will play five home games in October and November ahead of its clash with rival Harvard in late November.

Delaware: Newark
The First State may not have a professional football team to root for—unless you count the nearby Philadelphia Eagles or Baltimore Ravens across state lines—but the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens in Newark are certainly worth celebrating on a fall Saturday. One of the nation’s most underrated college football programs, this six-time national championship-winning program was a starting point for Super Bowl quarterbacks like Joe Flacco and Rich Gannon.

Florida: Tampa
An indelible Super Bowl host city and home to the two-time Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cigar City brings the star power (Tom Brandy, anyone?), championship pedigree, crowd energy and spectacular weather that few destinations can rival. It doesn’t hurt that Tampa is one of the most kid-friendly destinations in Florida either.

Georgia: Athens
Atlanta Falcons fans are some of the best in football but the team has been reeling ever since blowing a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, making just one playoff appearance in the past five seasons. That said, travelers to the great state of Georgia won’t regret making the 90-minute drive east to Athens to party “between the hedges” with Georgia Bulldogs fans who are deservedly excited after their team took home the national championship last season.

Hawaii: Honolulu
Hawaii doesn’t have an NFL team but every autumn the Aloha State rallies behind the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. While awaiting the completion of the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, the team will play its home games at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

Idaho: Boise
Idaho is another state without a professional football team but that just means there’s an incredible buzz for the Boise State University Broncos when they take to their famous blue turf inside of Albertson’s Stadium, which opened up alcohol sales last season. Tailgaters can also look forward to an upgraded Ford Fan Zone at DeChevrieux Field including private catering and food trucks from 10 Barrel Brewing and others as well as sports activities and inflatables for the kids and a mobile video board so guests can catch the latest games.

Illinois: Chicago
The Chicago Bears welcomed fans back to historic Soldier Field at full capacity last year and celebrated with the return of pregame festivities, including tailgating. With more wins than any other NFL franchise (783), you can bet there’ll be plenty of excitement outside of the stadium at Museum Campus in the hours leading up to kickoff.

Indiana: Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Colts’ home field of Lucas Oil Stadium will be the place to tailgate in Indiana this fall. Visitors to Indy will find plenty of pregame festivities taking place in lots throughout the downtown area, whether partying with the Blue Crew or gearing up for the game in Touchdown Town. Indianapolis also plays host to the annual Big Ten Football Championship Game, giving college fans a chance to party outside of “The House That Manning Built.”

Iowa: Iowa City
Unsurprisingly, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes are number one in the Hawkeye State and that means tailgaters should have their sights set just west of the Iowa River in Iowa City, specifically the confines of Kinnick Stadium, which enhanced the fan experience last year with alcohol sales, mobile ticketing and parking, new entry gates and cashless concessions.

Kansas: Manhattan
For the very best tailgating in Kansas, head to Manhattan to show off your purple pride with the Kansas State University faithful as they look to will their Wildcats to a win with an epic pregame gathering. Before the teams take to the field and the marching band fires up the Wabash Cannonball, visitors will want to revel in the sea of purple and white and maybe even getting their hands on a few Manhattan Meatballs.

Kentucky: Lexington
With all due respect to Louisville, Lexington and the Cardinals’ rival University of Kentucky is the place to be on Saturdays in the fall. The areas outside of Kroger Field will be electric upon the return of tailgating, bands, cheerleaders, the Chevy Catwalk, and nearly everything else that makes Wildcats game days special. Grab yourself a bowl of Kentucky Burgoo and get in the spirit.

Louisiana: Baton Rouge
There’s a lot to love about tailgating with Saints fans in New Orleans but that’ll have to wait until Sunday as the best tailgating experience in Louisiana can be found 90 minutes northwest in Baton Rouge, where visitors will find Louisiana State University and some of the most passionate and hospitable fans in the world. The party starts Friday night and continues up until game time on Saturday with an abundance of libations, music and, of course, plenty of Cajun and Creole eats.

Maine: Orono
The fans outside of Alfond Stadium in Orono will be eager to pump up their beloved University of Maine Black Bears with lively tailgates in what will be the school’s 130th season of football. It helps that the squad is coming off its first winning season since 2018.

Maryland: Baltimore
Crab cakes and football. That’s what Maryland does. And when it comes to tailgating in the Old Line State, nobody does it better than Baltimore Ravens fans. Recent success on the field, including three playoff appearances in the past four seasons and a previous league MVP at the helm in Lamar Jackson, have only elevated the party outside of downtown’s M&T Bank Stadium, whether it’s a Sunday afternoon game or a primetime showdown with the entire country watching.

Massachusetts: Foxborough
Home to the six-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, Foxborough is located less than an hour from Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, making it the first tailgating choice for many football fans across New England. In addition to a phenomenal traditional tailgate scene in the parking lots outside of Gillette Stadium, visitors can look forward to exploring Patriot Place, which boasts multiple bars and restaurants as well as shopping opportunities.

Michigan: Ann Arbor
Apologies to the Lions fans in Detroit but Michigan’s NFL franchise hasn’t won a title in nearly seven decades and has won just a single playoff game since 1962. Plus, there’s a reason they call it the Wolverine State. Big Blue rules around here—just don’t try to confirm with Michigan State fans—and the 107,000-plus capacity Big House and its confines are the place to be on game days.

Minnesota: Minneapolis
If you find yourself in Minnesota this fall, you’ll want to get your “Skol” chant on with the Vikings fans outside of U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Can’t wait until Sunday to tailgate? Head across the Mississippi River to the University of Minnesota, specifically Huntington Bank Stadium to party with the Golden Gophers faithful.

Mississippi: Oxford
The fine folks in Starkville don’t want to hear it but the Ole Miss Rebels fans put on the state’s top tailgating party in Oxford. The Grove as it’s known has been referred to as the Holy Grail of Tailgating and you’d be hard-pressed to argue otherwise. The tents go up as early as Friday evening, followed by tables, chairs, TVs and eventually tons of sharp-dressed fans.

Missouri: Kansas City
When you combine one of the NFL’s hottest teams in the Kansas City Chiefs and one of the league’s most iconic stadiums in Arrowhead you get an unforgettable tailgating experience and one of the most special in the Midwest, certainly the best in Missouri. Hanging outside of Arrowhead before a game should be on every sports fan’s bucket list but foodies will be in awe as visitors who make friends with the seasoned vets are sure to sample some of the best BBQ sauces and rubs they’ve ever tasted.

Montana: Bozeman
In the massive state of Montana, the debate rages on as to whether University of Montana Grizzlies fans or Montana State University Bobcats supporters put on the best tailgate. Both those in Missoula and Bozeman can certainly withstand some bone-chilling temperatures, cook up some fantastic stick-to-your-ribs eats and find creative ways to cheer on their team while taunting the other. But in the Brawl of the Wild, the slight edge goes to Montana State and Bozeman, where visitors will have plenty of exceptional bars to shuffle into post-game.

Nebraska: Lincoln
You don’t have to be a University of Nebraska alum to enjoy a football game day in Lincoln. Just grab a “Dear Old Nebraska Brew” from local favorite Zipline Brewing Company and join the sea of red outside of Memorial Stadium. Beyond the parking lot, the Husker Nation Pavilion is a great spot for families to gear up for the game.

Nevada: Las Vegas
There’s certainly tons of fun to be had with Nevada Wolf Pack fans in Reno but even the Biggest Little City in the World can’t compete with Fabulous Las Vegas, which will be charged up not only for college football’s UNLV Rebels but the Las Vegas Raiders and one of the most epic pregame experiences in the NFL, which includes the 130,000-square-foot immersive Bud Light Beer Garden on the famous Las Vegas Strip featuring games, food, drinks and live DJ entertainment, among other highlights.

New Hampshire: Durham
Between Portsmouth and Concord is where you’ll find Durham and the University of New Hampshire. The fans here go crazy for their Wildcats and visitors seeking the complete game day experience have options when it comes to tailgating, whether they favor a traditional parking lot (Lot A) across from the stadium or a large grass area like Boulder Field. There’s also an RV lot that fans must register for in advance.

New Jersey: East Rutherford
While Rutgers University in Piscataway is known as the birthplace of college football due to having kicked off its first season all the way back in 1869, the Scarlet Knights haven’t won more than five games since 2014 so you may consider heading northeast on I-95. Although New York Giants and Jets fans would likely consider East Rutherford an extension of the Big Apple, MetLife Stadium has a New Jersey address and in addition to serving as the home of a pair of NFL franchises with passionate fan bases, it will host the inaugural HBCU New York Football Classic featuring Morehouse College and Howard University this September.

New Mexico: Albuquerque
The University of New Mexico Lobos became the first Division I college football team to play an entire season outside of its home state in 2020 due to the pandemic. Despite a down 2021, Albuquerque will be rocking ahead of home games inside of University Stadium this fall. Whether reserving an overnight spot for an RV in advance, meeting up with friends in the parking lot or exploring the Howl Zone, visitors are sure to come away with a memorable tailgating experience.

New York: Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills’ performance on the field the past few seasons and high expectations for 2022 aren’t likely to stop Bills Mafia from slamming themselves through tables outside of Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park week after week this fall. Yes, the tailgating experience in Buffalo is a bit wild and weird but you certainly won’t mistake it for boring. You don’t need to put your health and well-being on the line to take part though. Sometimes it’s just better to sit back and watch with a plate of sizzling buffalo chicken wings.

North Carolina: Charlotte
College football fans visiting North Carolina will want to make a pit stop in the Research Triangle to see how UNC and NC State fans hang out before a game but the ultimate tailgate experience in the Tar Heel State requires a trip to the Queen City of Charlotte, home to the Carolina Panthers. In addition to big NFL matchups, Bank of America Stadium hosts college football’s annual ACC Championship Game. Whatever your event, pair it with a delicious tailgate box from Bojangles and you’ll be tailgating like a local in no time.

North Dakota: Fargo
Reigning and nine-time Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) champion North Dakota State University will be out for another undefeated football season and national title in 2022. The Bison fans will not only be in a frenzy inside of the Fargodome but in the parking lots outside of it in the hours leading up to kickoff. The team’s epic 39-game winning streak might be over but Fargo’s reign as the best tailgating experience in the FCS and one of the best in all of college football isn’t likely to end anytime soon.

Ohio: Cleveland
With apologies to Buckeye Nation and The Ohio State University in Columbus, the top tailgating destination in the state of Ohio in 2022 is Cleveland, where the Browns and their fans have high hopes. Whether tailgating in the Muny lot or the Pit outside of FirstEnergy Stadium and the iconic Dawg Pound, visitors will see, hear, smell and even taste what it’s like to root for one of the NFL’s most historic franchises. A Halloween showdown with rival Cincinnati will be among the most charged tailgates in Cleveland this season.

Oklahoma: Norman
Stillwater has certainly got its fair share of shine so it’s time to turn our attention to Norman, a city about 20 miles south of Oklahoma City that’s home to a perennial college football playoff favorite in the Oklahoma Sooners. Tailgating returned in 2021 with popular events and traditions such as the Allstate Party at the Palace, Duck Pond RV Parking and SooneRVillage at Lloyd Noble Center making a comeback.

Oregon: Eugene
Although it might be the Beaver State, there’s no question that the University of Oregon Ducks are the number one show in town when it comes to autumn tailgating in Oregon. Eugene not only brings unparalleled pregame energy but tons to do and explore for those fascinated by the arts and the great outdoors.

Pennsylvania: State College
Visitors to Pennsylvania will find excellent tailgating in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, sure, but State College and the Penn State University tailgate have more than 130 years of history on their side. College football’s White House, the Nittany Lions’ Beaver Stadium is a bucket-list site for many sports fans as it boasts the distinction of being the second-largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere and the fourth-largest on the planet. Tailgating in State College doesn’t guarantee you’ll be there for a legendary moment on the field but you’ll come away with bragging rights nonetheless.

Rhode Island: Kingston
For visitors to Rhode Island who aren’t necessarily feeling the drive to Massachusetts to see the New England Patriots, Kingston and the University of Rhode Island offer an awesome family-friendly alternative. After all, Rams football dates back to the late 19th century and the fans here are some of the most easygoing that travelers are likely to come across.

South Carolina: Clemson
The ACC rules this bit of SEC country thanks to the dominance and tradition of the Clemson University Tigers football program, which has lost a combined 10 games in the past seven seasons and brought home a pair of national championships in the process. The tailgating experience here is routinely ranked inside the top 10 in the country, with rabid fans starting to scout out the scene as early as the Thursday before a Saturday kickoff.

South Dakota: Brookings
There are perks to visiting a town small enough to nearly fit inside of a college football stadium. The capacity of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits’ Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium is nearly that of the population of the entire city of Brookings, which means you can expect an epic gathering in the hours prior to kickoff in the fall. Following a run to the national semifinals last year, the fans are guaranteed to be jacked up (no pun intended) to see their team back in action.

Tennessee: Knoxville
While the NFL’s Tennessee Titans of buzzing Nashville are trending up as they eye a fourth straight playoff berth, Knoxville is a can’t-miss college town and undoubtedly the place to be for a fall tailgate in Tennessee in 2022 as the University of Tennessee Volunteers football program looks to right the ship and make its long-awaited return to the top of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) standings. With a capacity of well over 100,000, Neyland Stadium is not only one of the top 10 largest in the world but its location along the Tennessee River allows for one of the most unique traditions in sports when the Vol Navy kicks off their floating tailgate.

Texas: Arlington
You can’t go wrong tailgating with pumped up Aggies and Longhorns fans in College Station and Austin, respectively, but the Dallas Cowboys are America’s Team for a reason. The team’s fans roll incredibly deep and know how to put on a Texas-sized party in Arlington outside of one of the most majestic stadiums in sports in AT&T Stadium, also known as “Jerry World” after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. You’ll need to get there bright and early to ensure a good spot otherwise you’ll be best suited catching a ride and making friends with the expert tailgaters.

Utah: Salt Lake City
Tailgating is back at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The Utes faithful has developed quite a reputation for putting on a tailgate so good you might be tempted to stick around rather than head into the stadium for kickoff. The city’s favorable fall climate doesn’t hurt either.

Vermont: Burlington
With no Division I or II college football programs or professional football teams to speak of, Vermont isn’t the place to go for a live game but the Green Mountain State definitely knows how to put on a party and cheer from the sidelines. Head to Burlington’s Main Street and dip into Ruben James Bar & Grill to catch every game on the big screen while enjoying Poutine, pretzels and other gameday favorites as well as local craft beer and traditional cocktails with a Vermont twist.

Virginia: Blacksburg
Hokie Nation returns to Lane Stadium in Blacksburg for Virginia Tech football this fall and what’s already one of the best tailgating experiences in the country recently got better as the school teased “additional improvements to enhance the one-day vacation for the best fans in college football.” Hokie Village, live music and other passionate festivities await.

Washington: Seattle
Visitors to Seattle have options when it comes to tailgating. You can help give the NFL’s Seahawks their famous 12-on-11 advantage by joining raucous fans outside of Lumen Field or head a few miles northeast to Husky Stadium to experience one of college football’s most underrated traditions. The University of Washington’s home field sits high above Union Bay in Lake Washington, drawing in not only fans on dry land but dozens of boats partaking in a “sailgating” experience similar to that of Knoxville.

West Virginia: Morgantown
When in the Mountain State, let the country roads take you home to Morgantown, which will welcome back tailgating ahead of West Virginia University Mountaineers football games outside of Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium this fall. Put on something gold and blue and be sure to take part in thrilling pregame traditions like the Mountaineer Mantrip.

Wisconsin: Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin Badgers’ devotees in Madison might put on one of the best tailgates in college football but, unfortunately, they play in the same state as the NFL’s legendary Green Bay Packers franchise. Two-and-a-half hours northeast in Green Bay is where travelers will find the fabled Lambeau Field surrounded by a sea of roaring Cheeseheads pairing cold beer with scorching brats and cheering on a team that’s come within one win of the Super Bowl in two of the past three seasons.

Wyoming: Laramie
Just over two hours northwest of Denver you’ll discover the charming college town of Laramie. On fall Saturdays outside of War Memorial Stadium, the party starts early as fans decked out in brown and gold look to have a good time in anticipation of the next University of Wyoming Cowboys gridiron contest.