Tailgating Gear: What to Bring to A Tailgate Party [Checklist PDF]

Tailgating is a fun way to commemorate your favorite team, sporting event, or musical performance. Whether for a football game, a baseball game, a concert, a music festival, or another event, tailgate parties are an excellent way for friends and family to begin the festivities early.                      

Tailgate gatherings are an annual North American tradition in which millions participate. But before you venture out to the stadium parking lot with a cooler, you should double-check what to bring to a tailgate party for a memorable experience!

We've compiled a tailgating gear checklist with a PDF version you can print and transport to any tailgate party. It will ensure you have everything to bring to a tailgate party, including the basic tailgating gear, kitchen supplies, food and beverages, cleaning essentials, and entertainment items. In addition, we highly recommend Jackery Solar Generators for powering your electronics, so you no longer have to be concerned about running out of power during tailgating.   

Tailgate Checklist PDF

Use this tailgating gear checklist to ensure you have everything you need before attending the tailgate party, and you will feel confident and well-prepared when planning your tailgating stuff gathering. Listed below are recommendations for improving the efficacy of lists.     

Tailgating Gear List: How can you ensure you have everything you need for your tailgate celebration in the trunk of your vehicle? By adhering to our tailgating equipment list, you can focus on tailgating well and savoring the party without worrying about something being forgotten; this will never occur with this list.          

Checklist Instructions: Even if you have a list, you may need to pay attention to something regardless of your level of tailgating. Verify that you have packed everything before departing for the celebration. Avoid removing items from the list because they were discovered in the larder. They are not marked until after they have been packaged. If not, you could still abandon your plans.

Printable Checklist PDF: Review the printable tailgating checklist PDF, then add or remove items as necessary. A PDF version is available for distribution below. Once you have created your version of the tailgate essentials list, you can use it each time to remind you what to bring to a tailgate party.

>>Download The Tailgating Gear Checklist PDF

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party?

Tailgating, or a tailgate party, is a pre-event social gathering that typically takes place in the parking lot of an arena, stadium, or venue. The pre-game party typically includes music, food, beverages, and games to start an unforgettable day.  

Tailgating is also known as pre-gaming and serves as a prelude to the primary event. It's a massive deal in the States; eighty percent of Americans celebrate the annual holiday. Tailgate necessities are required for a memorable pre-game celebration. With the items on this list, your tailgating experience will be optimal. Regarding what to bring to the tailgate party, there are six categories of necessities:

- Basic Tailgating Gear: The items that you must take to any tailgate party;

- Tailgating Kitchen Gear: The equipment or appliances that can cook or make food;

- Tailgating Foods & Drinks: The popular snacks and drinks that everyone likes;

- Tailgating Power Gear: This gear should provide electricity to the tailgating appliances;

- Entertainment Gear: Add more fun and laughs to the tailgate party.

- Tailgating Cleanup Gear: The essentials that help to clean up the leftovers and trash;

Most of us picture a crowded parking lot on game day as we think of tailgating. We imagine merriment, enjoyment, and an endless supply of snacks. Even though tailgating is about living in the present, a little preparation can go a long way. Continue reading for more information on what to bring to a tailgate party.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Basic Gear

The benefit of tailgating is that you are guaranteed a good time regardless of how your favorite team performs. A parking lot party can be ideal with friends, music, food, drinks, and games.

If you have never organized a football tailgate, you will need a checklist to ensure you don't neglect any necessities. For this reason, we have compiled a beginner's guide to tailgating - the blueprint for the optimal game day experience. Here is an essentials list for the tailgate itself:

What to bring to a tailgate party remains the same whether you throw your first party for football season or your 12th annual game day gathering. You need a location that provides shade and shelter from the ever-changing fall weather, fresh food that keeps guests full all day, and seating that provides the essential back support that all adults require to endure an entire day of applauding.

Kick-off tailgating season this fall with all the necessary practical gear to commemorate your team in style. The above essential tailgating equipment will keep your tailgating crew comfortable and content. Regarding the kitchen and food-related items, continue perusing!

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Kitchen Gear

If you are a member of this magnificent and passionate culture, you know how competitive tailgating is as a sport. Anyone can don team colors and foam fingers, but it takes courage to set up a field kitchen in a parking lot and serve guests all day and night. It also requires tailgating gear.

We know you're here for the cuisine, regardless of how much you support your favorite team. While we can all concur that eating tailgating snacks is half the fun, there is one debate we need help to resolve: should we cook food in advance or prepare it on-site? The answer to this age-old query is up to you, but if you want to cook in the parking lot, you'll need the following tailgating culinary equipment:

Undoubtedly, grilling is the best aspect of tailgating gatherings. For the ultimate tailgating experience, you must grill your wings, ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers in the rear of your truck or SUV. However, the sort of grill you use is crucial. You must select one that is portable, simple to move, and the appropriate size and style. It must also be legal and secure for tailgating.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Foods & Drinks

Many foods associated with tailgating can be weighty, but you don't want your favorite snacks to weigh you down when celebrating.

Even if you are not participating in the big game, there are numerous tailgating activities to appreciate, and you should be wide awake when your team takes the field. Plan tailgating foods that are enjoyable and won't slow you down.

At your next tailgate, provide the vegans in your life with all the options they could desire. Every once in a while, we all deserve to indulge, and tailgating day is the ideal time.

If you intend to cook at the game, choose foods that grill quickly, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken. If you are preparing food at home, transport it in a container that will keep it burning. The pork butt and brisket can be brought whole and then split or pulled on-site, as accurate cuts retain heat more effectively.

When barbecuing in the sun, hydration is essential. As necessary as the food is for establishing the mood at a tailgate, ensure you have a variety of beverages to suit all tastes.

Are you mixing beverages? Try constructing a "car bar" with a small shoe rack in your trunk. When you arrive, place your bottles on the upper shelf for easy access by everyone. Even simpler, you can prepare pitchers of cocktails the night before and transfer them into individual serving jars. Then, please place them in your container with other beverages on game day.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Power Gear

Serious tailgaters must transport a portable generator to the stadium parking lot to keep the grills sizzling and the sound systems blaring all day. Whether you're a low-key tailgater who needs a generator to charge phones and speakers or a die-hard fan who rises early to set up a grill, TV, fans, and slow cooker, the proper generator can make or break game day.

Jackery is the leading manufacturer of portable power stations, solar panels, and portable solar generators. We always consider sustainability and use solar energy as our power source to safeguard the environment. Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Solar Panels with Portable Power Stations to convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power tailgating equipment such as a portable grill, mini cooler, and television.

An inverter in the power station converts the electrical energy into a suitable format for powering electronic devices.

The Jackery Solar Generators are constructed and designed with an emphasis on usability. The only requirement is connecting the Jackery Solar Panels to the Portable Power Stations. Solar panels produce energy when exposed to sunlight.

The solar charging line enables the transmission of electrical energy to Portable Power Stations, which is converted into a form capable of powering various devices. The surplus electricity generated will be stored locally.

Connect the Portable power stations to the device to be charged or utilized. Automatic energy transfer will occur between your device and the power source. The complete procedure is uncomplicated. Learn more about Jackery Solar Generators in the forthcoming section!

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Entertainment Gear

With large screens for movies, dance parties, and even hot tubs, tailgate parties offer a new level of amusement. With the proper family and friends, you may not require additional fun.  

A celebration is only complete with entertainment. Here, we recommend bringing games such as beer pong, corn hole, and jenga to the gathering. A deck of cards and plastic containers are also necessities. However, there are many other games worthy of consideration. This incorporates some of the items listed below.

A Bluetooth portable speaker is ideal for bringing your favorite music to the tailgate. Just remember to charge it before the tailgate so that it will last! Jackery Portable Power Stations like the Explorer 1000 are ideal for keeping all your devices charged throughout the tailgate.

What to Bring to A Tailgate Party: Cleanup Gear

Bring everything you'll need to clean up the debris, as tailgating is over once it's done. It would be best to leave the area in better condition than you discovered.

As the game time approaches, remember to clear your area before entering the stadium. Pack plastic containers and aluminum foil to preserve residual food or snacks, and label each container with a permanent marker. Keep hand sanitizer, wipes, paper towels, and trash bags on hand to make cleanup pleasurable.

Pay attention to the necessary trash bags and cans to maintain a clean environment. If it is more convenient, bags can be hung from the corner of a canopy or placed in a plastic garbage can.

Don't throw out those excess burger patties or other food! You want to avoid attracting pests to your tailgate site or squandering edible food. Bring a roll of aluminum foil and send it with your visitors to their automobiles, or preserve it for later use.

Jackery Solar Generators Empower Your Tailgating

A portable generator is a must when deciding what to bring to a tailgate party. The best tailgating generator should be portable; its dimensions should be such that it can easily fit in the trunk of a car or the back of an SUV without taking up too much space.

These portable generators include Jackery Solar Generators, which are compact, lightweight, and simple to transport. Choose between 240Wh and 24kWh based on the energy needs of your tailgate party.        

Before purchasing a solar generator, it is advisable to determine the quantity of electricity needed for tailgating. This formula can calculate the operational duration of the Jackery Solar Generator.              

Working Time = Power Station Capacity*0.85 / Your Device's Operating Wattage

Using the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus (2042.8Wh), you can power a 300W refrigerator for approximately 5.4 hours, sufficient for your tailgating party. Our expandable battery module can provide up to 24 kWh of additional power if you require more.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Expandable from 2 kWh to 24 kWh, the Solar Generator 2000 Plus's capacity is enormous. Add a battery pack and solar panels for a whopping 24 kWh of additional power. It is ideal for tailgating, camping, off-grid living, and emergency power backup in the residence. Power is now wholly independent, taking a remarkable two hours to charge with solar energy fully.

A single Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Power Station supports up to five additional battery packs simultaneously, expanding capacity from 2 kWh to a remarkable 12 kWh - ideal for tailgating, road trips, camping, heavy-duty, and home emergencies. The combined output of two paralleled Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus portable power stations is 24 kWh.

With six 200W SolarSaga solar panels, the Solar Generator 2000 Plus can be fully charged in just two hours. The power source becomes completely self-sufficient by replenishing it with solar energy rather than the power grid. Or, the power station can be recharged using an AC adapter or 12V carport. Multiple output ports permit simultaneous charge of multiple tailgating electronics.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is the best option for tailgate parties due to its unparalleled output. It also provides power for picnicking, camping, RVing, living off the grid, and other scenarios. Versatile and expandable in capacity, this solar generator is an all-in-one solution for powering your existence.

With a capacity of 1264Wh and an output of 2000W, the 1000 Plus has the highest production among products of a comparable level, supporting 99.9% of devices. It is expandable up to 5 kWh, providing sufficient power for a tailgating celebration. For instance, it can power a 700W portable grill for 1.4 hours and a 100W television for over 10 hours.

The Jackery 1000 Plus's Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery provides a constant voltage and pure sine wave, ensuring the safety of all your electrical appliances over its 10-year life cycle. The innovative ChargeShield technology and stable power output safeguard against equipment damage.

Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus is the ultimate portable power solution that can charge most small to midsize appliances for hours. If you are tailgating in a remote location, the solar-powered generator can ensure your essential gadgets remain charged. It's one of the most important tailgating essentials, portable by nature, and can be moved to outdoor locations whenever required.

The Explorer 500's emissions-free energy source and dependable battery management system make it secure for tailgating use. The solar system is resistant to high temperatures because it is made of a material that can withstand high temperatures. Explorer 500 has an operating temperature range of 14-104°F (-10-40°C), while SolarSaga 100W has a range of 14-149°F (-10-65°C).

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 is the most lightweight and portable solar generator available and is simple to maintain. Simply wiping the SolarSaga solar panels and Explorer Power Station with a clean cloth will increase their efficiency and allow you to harness the power of free renewable energy. Connect the solar panel to the Explorer 500, and in 60 seconds, you'll have a portable solar system!  

What Not to Bring to A Tailgate Party?

Some individuals consider a gathering complete with a cold brew. However, it is problematic to transport a 15-gallon drum of beer to a tailgate party. Many colleges prohibit kegs on campus, including the picnicking area in the stadium's parking lot. The same applies to beer bongs and other items that promote accelerated alcohol consumption.  

For many individuals, the grill is the focal point of tailgating. Placing a 10-pound pork loin rib roast over hot embers is primitively gratifying and incredibly impressive. There is also the difficulty of cooking swine outdoors. Saving time by partially cooking meat at home and completing it on the grill poses a safety risk. This effort is not conducive to tailgating. And remember transportation logistics: a piece of flesh that size requires its cooler.

Final Thoughts

If you plan and pack appropriately, you will be ready to make this tailgate one for the record books. Indeed, you can use this tailgating equipment checklist to determine what to bring to a tailgate party. And pay attention to getting a Jackery Solar Generator to power larger capacities of tailgating essentials. By utilizing renewable energy, our tailgating generator is environmentally friendly!