GROUPON GUIDE TO BOSTON

Tailgating Gear: 9 Essential Items You Need This Season

BY: Editors |Oct 26, 2018

In some circles, tailgating is considered more important than watching the actual game. Shop these essential tailgating items to ensure your next game day is a blowout victory, whatever happens on the field.

Setting Up Your Tailgate Spot

First things first: the foundation of a good tailgate is the physical space it occupies. With these items, you can be sure your spot in the parking lot is comfortable, covered, and crowd-friendly.

1. Pop-up Tent

Not only does a good tailgating tent keep you protected from unpredictable fall weather, it also makes your party easy to spot among the endless rows of cars in the lot.

Shop for your team with these NFL tailgating tents from $159.99. | Shop all tailgate canopies.

2. Collapsible Chairs

Tailgates are hours-long affairs, so you'll need to take a load off at some point.

Shop for your team with this NCAA collapsible chair with built-in cup holders from $29.99. | Shop all tailgate chairs.

3. Portable Table

Pull up that chair to a matching table to kick back, chat about the game, and marvel at your collection of fan gear.

Shop for your team with this NFL portable table from $149.99. | Shop all tailgate tables.

Bringing the Fun

A tailgate's not complete without some fun games and ways to pass the time until kickoff. Check out these picks for a dose of friendly competition and major-league fun.

4. Durable Bluetooth Speaker

There aren't many bigger bummers than trying to soundtrack a party using the small, tinny speakers on your phone. Pump up your tailgate jams with a Bluetooth speaker—and make sure you grab one that can stand up to damage from raindrops or spilled drinks.

Buy this Oontz Angle 3 Plus water-resistant Bluetooth speaker. | Shop all speakers.

5. Backyard Games

Games (aside from the one you're partying for) are college tailgate essentials—they're a given at any great tailgate. Our suggestion is to find a handful for some variety.

Shop for your team with this NFL tailgate-toss game from $79.99. | Shop all tailgate games.

6. Power Inverter

For those who want to keep an eye on the day's other games, an inverter will be all but necessary—these can use your vehicle's battery to power phones, laptops, and even a TV using your vehicle's battery.

Buy this tailgate inverter for $45.99. | Shop all power inverters.

Creating a Top-Notch Food Station

Have you ever been to a tailgate party that didn't have anything to eat or drink? No, you haven't, because those don't exist. Having tailgating gear for food prep is an absolute necessity here, so you'll need to be ready to keep everyone filled and happy. Before you make a run to the store, grab these Goods items.

7. Portable Grill

Things like cookies, chips, or veggies and dip have their place at a tailgate, but if you really want to up your food game, you'll need to do some grilling.

Buy this foldable portable grill for $29.99. | Shop all portable grills.

8. BBQ Tool Set

As long as you're filling that grill space with burgers, chicken, and shish-kabob fixings, you might as well show some team spirit while you're at it.

Shop for your team with these NCAA barbecue-tool sets from $39.99. | Shop all grill sets.

9. Cooler

Any cooler can keep your drinks cold, so the key to a great one is extra features like zipper compartments, wheels, or backstraps. Trust us, it’s worth spending a little extra for convenience here.

Shop for your team with this 48-can NFL rolling cooler starting at $44.99. | Shop all coolers.