View source for Tailgate party

{{Short description|Social event around a vehicle}}
{{For multi|the album by Larry the Cable Guy|Tailgate Party (album)|the episode of ''Succession''|Tailgate Party (Succession)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2021}}
[[File:benstailgate.JPG|right|thumb|260px|A tailgate party in 2009]]
{{American cuisine}}
{{Canadian cuisine}}

A '''tailgate party''' is a [[social event]] held on and around the open [[Trunk (automobile)#Door|tailgate]] of a [[automobile|vehicle]]. Tailgating, which primarily takes place in the United States and Canada, often involves consuming [[Alcoholic drink|alcoholic beverages]] while [[Barbecue|barbecuing]] and [[grilling]] food. Tailgate parties occur in the [[parking lot]]s at [[stadium]]s and arenas, before and occasionally after [[Sport|games]], [[Festival|festivals]], and [[concert]]s. People attending such a party are said to be 'tailgating'. Many people participate even if their vehicles do not have tailgates. Tailgate parties also involve people bringing their own alcoholic beverages, barbecues, and food, which are sampled and shared among guests attending the tailgate. Tailgates are intended to be non-commercial events, so selling items to the fans is frowned upon and can even be considered illegal [[Solicitation|soliciting]]. Tailgating is often seen as a critical part of the sports experience in the United States. Because many American sports venues are surrounded by large parking lots, tailgating often takes place right outside stadium and arena entrances.

Tailgate parties have spread to the pre-game festivities at sporting events besides [[American football|American]] and [[Canadian football]], such as [[basketball]], [[ice hockey|hockey]], [[baseball]] and  [[association football|soccer]]. They also occur at non-sporting events such as [[Wedding|weddings]], cultural festivals and [[concert]]s.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/7356769/dave-matthews-band-tailgating-dos-donts | title = The Do's & Don'ts of Tailgating at a Dave Matthews Band Show | date = May 6, 2016 | first = Aly |last=Semigran | magazine = Billboard |access-date=September 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>[http://www.santafe.com/article/the-santa-fe-opera-tailgate-a-grand-tradition "The Santa Fe Opera Tailgate: A Grand Tradition"] Santa Fe.com (August 4, 2011)</ref> As American and Canadian football outside North America has copied many of its associated traditions from the [[National Football League]] (NFL), the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL), and [[college football]], tailgating parties are also held at some American football games in Europe. The term "tailgation" has been used to describe the collective of the party and those that identify with tailgate culture as a [[portmanteau]] of "tailgate nation".<ref>{{cite news |last=Maloni |first=Jason |date=2008-08-26 |title=The League Panelists: NFL tailgaters are most loyal fans even Washington Redskin tailgaters, don't mess with them |url=http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/06/nfl-tailgating-redskins-fans-maloni.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628100641/http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/06/nfl-tailgating-redskins-fans-maloni.html |archive-date=2009-06-28 |access-date=2019-09-01 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> 

==Food and drink==
Tailgating typically involves the consumption of [[Alcoholic drink|alcoholic beverages]] or [[soft drink]]s and the grilling of various meat products. Popular tailgate party foods include [[picnic]] and [[grilling]] staples such as ''[[bratwurst]]'', [[hamburger]]s, [[hot dog]]s, [[buffalo wings]], [[baked beans]], [[steak]], [[Take-out|to-go]] [[pizza]], [[Slider (sandwich)|sliders]] and cold salads like [[coleslaw]] or [[potato salad]]. Snacks include [[Potato chip|potato]] and [[tortilla chip]]s with [[guacamole]] among others which are fairly common. Some food products were created because of tailgate parties. A brand of [[pimento cheese]], called [[Palmetto Cheese]], got its start at [[Atlanta Braves]] tailgate parties.<ref name="grandstrandmag.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.grandstrandmag.com/feature/food_and_wine/taste_makers |title=Cheese Mongers |author=Paul Grimshaw |work=Grand Strand Magazine |date=5 October 2010 |publisher=GrandStrandmag.com}}</ref> In some Southern U.S. states and subtropical areas, fried [[seafood]] is made and shared at certain tailgate parties.

==Games==
[[File:Bencornhole.jpg|thumb|right|A game of [[cornhole]]]]
[[Lawn game]]s such as [[KanJam]], [[cornhole]], [[ladder golf]], [[Polish horseshoes]], [[Louisville Chugger]], [[Lawn darts|Jarts]], [[washer pitching]] and [[Sholf]] are very popular during tailgates and tailgate parties. Lawn games are associated with tailgating primarily because of the simplicity in the game materials.<ref name="nashvillelawngames.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nashvillelawngames.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=5|title=Nashville Lawn Games - About Cornhole|author=Nashville Lawngames|publisher=NashvilleLawnGames}}</ref> Lawn games carry the connotation of drinking games because of their presence during tailgates.<ref name="backyardbarkeep.com">{{cite web|url=http://backyardbarkeep.com/2009/09/backyard-barkeep-featured-in-tailgating-ideas/|title=Backyard Barkeep Featured in Tailgating Ideas|author=Backyard Barkeep|publisher=BackyardBarkeep.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117133330/http://backyardbarkeep.com/2009/09/backyard-barkeep-featured-in-tailgating-ideas/|archive-date=2013-01-17}}</ref> Other games that are often played include [[beer pong]] and [[flipcup]].<ref name="tailgatingideas.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tailgatingideas.com/2007/08/13/tailgating-games-to-play/|title=Tailgating Games to Play|author=Tailgating Ideas|publisher=Tailgatingideas.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110025255/http://www.tailgatingideas.com/2007/08/13/tailgating-games-to-play/|archive-date=2007-11-10}}</ref>  It is also common for fans to bring sports balls such as footballs, soccer balls, and the like to casually play with. Many tailgaters have external stereos or use their car's sound system to play music, and it is not unusual to see some tailgate parties hook up a [[television set]] and antenna/satellite to an [[electric generator]] so partygoers can watch other sporting events.

==Local events==
[[Image:Swann In Philly 08.25.2006.jpg|thumb|Former [[Pittsburgh Steelers|Steeler]] and 2006 candidate for [[Governor of Pennsylvania]] [[Lynn Swann]] courts voters tailgating before a football game between the [[Pittsburgh Steelers|Steelers]] and the [[Philadelphia Eagles|Eagles]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ritter |first=Kara |title=Ex-Steeler looks to sway support of Eagles' fans (abstract) |work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=August 2006  |url=http://articles.philly.com/2006-08-26/news/25397530_1_philadelphia-eagles-fan-eagles-jersey-steelers-game |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922032401/http://articles.philly.com/2006-08-26/news/25397530_1_philadelphia-eagles-fan-eagles-jersey-steelers-game |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2015 |access-date=2015-09-02}}</ref>]]

In schools and communities throughout the United States and Canada, there are athletic departments, coaches and parents of student athletes who rely on post-game tailgating parties to build community and support for their program and team.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://fundraisingforsports.com/2011/10/tailgating_and_fundraising_perfect_together/ | title = Tailgating and Fundraising: Perfect Together  | publisher = fundraisingforsports.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.elementaryfundraisingideas.com/tailgate-fundraiser-2/ | title = Tailgate Fundraiser | publisher = elementaryfundraisingideas.com}}</ref> Smaller, underfunded programs are assisted by the voluntary participation of parents and friends to feed the team and coaching staff post-competition, which  establishes a strong core of support year after year.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}

In 2007, the NFL angered many football fans by banning tailgating before the Super Bowl.<ref name="Tailgating banned">{{cite news|url=http://cbs4.com/sports/local_story_025154548.html|title=Tailgating Forbidden On Super Bowl Sunday |author=<!--not stated--> |date=January 29, 2007 |work=CBS 4 Miami |access-date=September 2, 2024 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014021515/http://cbs4.com/sports/local_story_025154548.html|archive-date=2007-10-14}}</ref> The NFL cited security risks, though many suspected it had more to do with corporate sponsored events than any real threat.<ref name="Corporate greed">{{cite web|url=http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/super-bowl/2007/01/26/no-real-fans-allowed-tailgating-banned-at-super-bowl/|title=No Real Fans Allowed: Tailgating Banned at Super Bowl|author=Michael David Smith|publisher=America Online}}</ref> In 2008, an [[online petition]]<ref name="Super Bowl Petition">{{cite web|url=http://www.tailgatingideas.com/2008/01/09/super-bowl-tailgating/|title=Allow Tailgating at the Super Bowl Petition|date=9 January 2008|publisher=Tailgating Ideas}}</ref> began circulating to encourage the NFL to lift the no tailgating at the Super Bowl policy. Members of the sports media<ref name="Media questions">{{cite news|url=http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/SPORTS0203/801250322/1018|title=NFL's grill ban burns tailgaters|first=Ben |last=Smith|newspaper=The Journal Gazette |location=Fort Wayne, Indiana |date=January 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316002306/http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/SPORTS0203/801250322/1018 |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> also questioned the validity of NFL's claim that security concerns were the real reason for the ban.

In April 2019, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's staff announced the legalization of personal alcohol consumption outside sporting venues across the province, in effect creating a framework for tailgating-style events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailyhive.com/toronto/ontario-tailgating-sports-events-2019|title=Ford government to legalize tailgating at sporting events in Ontario|last=Smith|first=Ainsley|date=2019-04-08|website=Daily Hive|language=en|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In the ''[[The Simpsons|Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Any Given Sundance]]", [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] takes his family to a tailgate party. He makes them get up early in order to be at the stadium hours before the football game, and states that "the game is nothing", the tailgate party being the only reason for them being there.

Season 3 of the [[Travel Channel]] original series ''[[Man v. Food]]'' had a tailgating special consisting of various segments from previous episodes that featured food that would make an ultimate tailgate party.

A number of television commercials, especially those aired during football games, feature tailgating culture, including those for [[Bud Light]] beer and cellphones.

In season 3 of ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'', Frank convinces Charlie to join him and tailgate while the rest of the gang try out for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref name="imdb.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028236/|title=Season 3 Episode 2: The Gang Gets Invincible|website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>

Season 1 of ''[[Chicago Party Aunt]]'' had an entire episode, titled "Tailgate Jailgate", set at, and centered around, a tailgate party.

Season 4 episode 7 of ''[[Succession (TV series)|Succession]]'' is called "[[Tailgate Party (Succession)|Tailgate Party]]" and refers to a presidential election party held in Shiv and Tom's apartment.

In the [[Frasier (2023 TV series)|2023 revival of ''Frasier'']], the titular character hosts a tailgate party for a Harvard vs. Yale game, which is seen by his son as ironic as Frasier normally has little interest in sports. 

==See also==
*[[Drinking in public]]
*[[Fan zone]]
*[[Lawn game]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tailgate parties}}
*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120551372 Reining In Tailgate Parties A Challenge For Colleges] - report by ''[[NPR]]''

{{Parties}}
{{supporter culture}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tailgate Party}}
[[Category:Car culture]]
[[Category:Drinking culture]]
[[Category:Eating parties]]
[[Category:Sports culture in the United States]]
[[Category:Sports culture in Canada]]