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With college football starting on Saturday, August 28, and the pros kicking off on Thursday, September 9, tailgating season has officially arrived.
For jersey-wearing fans making an entire day — or weekend — of watching football, tailgating is the ultimate pre-game event. The grills are going, the footballs are getting tossed, and the tunes are playing.
However, there’s more to tailgating than just finding a primo parking space. You need the right gear to cover a few basics — food, shelter, and beverages. Here are the do’s and don’ts to nailing your tailgating game, thanks to these essentials from Walmart.
Set up shelter
You want shade, but you don’t want a difficult-to-assemble gazebo turning your good time into a team-building exercise. Simple Push technology makes pitching this heavy-duty canopy a one-person job you can do in a few minutes.
Unpack your trunk
Haul up to 225 pounds — and a lion’s share of family-sized bags of chips — in a sturdy wagon that rolls across grass or a pothole-filled parking lot without capsizing thanks to rugged, seven-inch wheels.
Credit: Ozark Trail
Get warmed up
Keep the energy going for a long day out by wrapping your hands around a hot cup of coffee on a brisk fall day. This grill-friendly coffee pot is a good way to save money and disposable paper cups.
Credit: Ozark Trail
Have food and beverages ready to go
Avoid a warm beer party foul: store goods for the grill in a wheeled cooler that can keep up to 84 cans icy-cold. For an extra touch of class, the lid has molded cup holders and can be flipped over for a spare seat.
Credit: Coleman
Create a hydration station
BYOW (bring your own water) in heavy-duty, BPA-free, durable containers with a small spout for filling up water bottles and glasses. Pacing yourself for a marathon day of football is a winning strategy.
Credit: Scepter
Upgrade to more comfortable seating
A camping chair may not ever be your living room couch, but this one comes close with a built-in, self-inflating cushion for some extra support. When it’s game time, it neatly folds up into a carry bag with a shoulder strap.
Credit: Ozark Trail
Fire up the grill
Flip vegan burgers or beefy patties on a sporty BBQ with an insta-start ignition, delivering fast and consistent heat. The highly-portable design features collapsible legs and wheels, making it easy to position and lock into place.
Get a game going
Whether you’re ready to flex your college cornhole skills holding a plastic tumbler in one hand, or if you need a quick refresher, this set comes with instructions, two boards, and eight bean bags.
Credit: EastPoint Sports
