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The wait is over — college football is officially back. The weekends suddenly feel bigger, louder, and way more exciting. You can practically hear the marching bands, smell the charcoal, and feel that rush of anticipation before kickoff.
Game day has a way of bringing people together, whether you’re repping your alma mater, cheering for the hometown team, or just here for the legendary snacks. And while stadium tailgates have their charm, home turf has its own advantages — no traffic jams, no overpriced beers, and your favorite seat is always open. Plus, you can bring all the food, drinks, and entertainment you want without ever leaving the backyard.
This season, set yourself up with the best at-home tailgate essentials that rival any parking lot party. We’re talking bold flavors, top-notch streaming, and enough backyard fun to keep the energy high from pregame to postgame. Here’s everything you need for your ultimate home game day lineup below.
Best Tailgate Food & Grilling Essentials
Katie Ann Lehman
Traeger Woodridge Pro
$999.99
$1,149.99
13% off
Buy Now at Traeger
Meet your new MVP — the Traeger Woodridge Pro. This grill doesn’t just cook your game-day grub, it smokes, roasts, and grills, all while you control it straight from your phone (because who wants to leave the party?). With over 800 square inches of cooking space, it can handle up to 8 steaks or 40 burgers at once, cooked to perfection every time.
ButcherBox
Subscribe Now at ButcherBox
ButcherBox delivers high-quality meat right to your door, making game-day prep easier than ever. Their selection includes 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, humanely raised pork, and wild-caught seafood. With flexible box options and convenient delivery, you’ll have everything you need for a crowd-pleasing spread without a last-minute grocery run.
Katie Ann Lehman
HexClad BBQ Bundle
Buy Now at HexClad $469.99
The HexClad BBQ Bundle makes it easy to cook, carve, and serve right from the grill. Featuring the grill pan, cutting board, and carving set, this is the gold standard of outdoor cooking gear.
DoorDash
shop Now at Doordash
Run out of plastic cups? Need an extra folding chair? Missing an ingredient for your dip? DoorDash has you covered. Beyond restaurant deliveries, it brings groceries, home essentials, and even party supplies right to your door—fast and hassle-free. Plus, with DoorDash Streaks, you can unlock perks throughout the season. Place qualifying Saturday orders to score savings from 30-80% off, and even bonus credits as your streak builds.
Katie Ann Lehman
Meater Pro
$99.95
$129.95
23% off
Buy Now on meater
Grilling for a crowd? The Meater Pro makes sure every steak, burger, or brisket comes off the heat exactly how you want it. The completely wireless smart thermometer connects to your phone, tracking both internal meat temperature and grill or oven heat in real time. With guided cook times and notifications, you’ll know when to flip, when to rest, and when it’s ready to serve — without hovering over the grill. You’ll get consistent, reliable results, whether it’s game day or a weeknight dinner.
Katie Ann Lehman
BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
$399.99
Buy Now at Brumate
This Brutank has a built-in tap, sturdy all-terrain wheels, and padded bench top making it more than just a cooler—it’s a portable beverage station. Holding 48 cans (or 12 wine bottles) and keeping ice longer than standard coolers, it’s ideal for any gathering where convenience and cold drinks matter.
Katie Ann Lehman
Buy Now at Target
Stanley’s new 5-piece drop exclusively at Target brings fan-favorite drinkware, including the 40 oz Quencher, in bold team-inspired colors—perfect for keeping the drinks (and the spirit) flowing all game day. If you’re one to glam up your Stanley, you’ll want the new football pattern bottle boot, straws and toppers.
Best Tailgate TVs & Streaming
Katie Ann Lehman
Sylvox Outdoor TV
$1,699+
Buy Now at Sylvox
The centerpiece of every successful watch party begins and ends with your TV setup. Why not take your viewing outdoors? The Sylvox Outdoor TV delivers a clear, vibrant picture even in full sun, and it’s weatherproof design stands up to rain and humidity — perfect for backyard game-day viewing.
Sling TV
Get Sling TV Season Pass
Upgrade your game-day viewing with the five-month Orange + Blue Season Pass from Sling TV. Prepay for five months at $274 and enjoy over a month of savings compared to standard monthly payments, with uninterrupted access to channels like ESPN, FOX, NBC, and NFL Network. This pass gives fans convenience, value, and all the season’s action in one package.
Katie Ann Lehman
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II Bluetooth Speaker
$219.00
$299.99
27% off
Buy Now at Bose
This portable powerhouse of a speaker delivers deep, 360-degree sound that gets impressively loud, filling any space from kickoff to the final whistle. Its durable, water-resistant design and long-lasting rechargeable battery make it perfect for tailgates and backyard parties alike.
Katie Ann Lehman
Samsung 85″ Class Neo QLED 4K
$1,549.99
$2,899.99
47% off
Buy Now at Samsung
For indoor viewing from the comfort of your couch, the Samsung QLED 4K TV is your best bet for a true game-day experience. Its glare-free display, sharp 4K picture, and immersive sound put you front and center for every play. Plus, it’s 47% off with code TVLIKELEE.
Best Tailgate Backyard Games & Party Lighting
YardPong
$139.95
Buy Now On Amazon
YardPong is the oversized beer pong game that brings backyard fun to a whole new level. It sets up fast, packs up even faster, and makes any tailgate or hangout way more fun — no fuss, just good vibes and friendly competition.
Katie Ann Lehman
Lightboks Outdoor Lights
$299
Buy Now at Soundboks
Lightboks is an audio-reactive party light that turns any backyard into the place to be. It pulses and changes with your music, instantly leveling up the energy. Compact, easy to set up, and built for fun, it’s the secret sauce for next-level game-day vibes.
Katie Ann Lehman
Ninja Fireside260 Outdoor Fire Pit
$499.99
Buy Now at Ninja
Smokeless, powerful, and easy to move, the Ninja Fireside360 spreads heat and light in every direction. It sets the tone for backyard tailgates, evening games, and late-night hangouts.
Katie Ann Lehman
Coleman Cooler Quad Chair
Buy Now at REI $54
This Coleman lawn chair doubles as a comfy seat and a built-in cooler, so you’ll never have to get up for a cold drink. Perfect for tailgates, backyard hangs, or game-day sidelines, it keeps comfort and convenience in one spot.
Best Fan Jerseys & Game-Day Gear
Katie Ann Lehman
HOMAGE
shop Now at Homage
HOMAGE is all about celebrating sports, pop culture, and nostalgia with a distinctly vintage vibe. Their ultra-soft tees, hoodies, and sweats feature iconic team logos, classic designs, and playful nods to legendary moments — perfect for showing off fandom while staying comfortable.
Katie Ann Lehman
Nike
shop Now at Nike
Nike is the best place to get your game-day jersey — and the shoes to match. From authentic team jerseys to iconic sneakers, their gear lets you show off your team pride in style, from the stands to the tailgate.
Katie Ann Lehman
TravisMathew
shop Now at TravisMathew
TravisMathew is all about effortless style and laid-back sophistication for every occasion. Their soft polos, tees, and casual layers bring a relaxed, game-day-ready vibe.
Katie Ann Lehman
Fanatics
shop Now at Fanatics
Fanatics is the go-to destination for officially licensed sports gear, offering a massive selection of jerseys, hats, tees, and more from every team and league. Whether you’re looking for the latest releases, classic favorites, or hard-to-find collectibles, Fanatics makes it easy to show your loyalty and keep your game-day style authentic and on point.
