Best College Football Tailgate Experiences, Ranked

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Best College Football Tailgate Experiences, Ranked

Millions of fans show up at college stadiums each year to watch their favorite team battle for supremacy.

A good percentage of those fans are there for other reasons — to mingle with fans and partake in the tailgating experience.

Each college has its own signature way of doing it. Some are more unique than others.

Here are the 25 best.

25. University of Southern California

First football game: 1888

Home: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Bottom Line: University of Southern California

University of Southern California tailgate — You never know who'll see at a USC tailgate.

Trousdale Parkway, the on-campus pedestrian street at USC, is the main drag for tailgating. It is where you can mingle with celebrities who have graduated from the school (Will Ferrell and Miranda Cosgrove) or who have adopted USC as his or her own (Snoop Dogg).

Fraternities and sororities typically team up for epic parties.

About an hour before kickoff, the marching band puts an extra pep in everyone’s step as it makes its way down Trousdale to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

24. Harvard-Yale

Harvard-Yale fans at Harvard Stadium — Tailgaters gather outside Harvard Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, before a Harvard-Yale game.

First football game: 1875

Home: Yale Bowl, New Haven, Connecticut (Yale), Harvard Stadium, Boston, Massachusetts (Harvard)

Bottom Line: Harvard-Yale

Harvard-Yale tailgate — Bring your appetite.

The Harvard-Yale rivalry dates back to 1875, so there must be some knowledge of how to tailgate at the contest known as "The Game."

Yale leads the series 68-60-8 (what happened with the ties?).

Tailgating is a refined traditional event, but The Game is more known for its pranks.

The most famous practical joke was in 2004, when Yale students got the Harvard student section to raise placards that read "We Suck." The prank went viral and was featured on several news shows as well as "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

23. Ohio State

Ohio State fans tailgate outside of Ohio Stadium before a game in Columbus, Ohio.

First football game: 1880

Home: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Bottom Line: Ohio State

Geron Tate, Julian Baylor, Patrick McNeal — The colder the weather, the more fun at Ohio State.

No tailgate list would be complete without the university that brags about being The Ohio State University.

Ohio State is steeped in tradition, including everything from Skull Sessions (pep rallies) at St. John Arena, The Best Damn Band in the Land, the wearing of scarlet and gray, the seriousness about competing for a national championship, and the spelling out of O-H-I-O.

22. Oregon

First football game: 1894

Home: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

Bottom Line: Oregon

Oregon fans — This is what you call a green out.

Tailgating at the University of Oregon means enjoying one of the most idyllic places in the nation. Scenery includes mountains and sparkling waterways.

The walk to Autzen Stadium would make Henry David Thoreau proud.

The Moshofsky Center (The "Mo"), the Ducks' indoor practice facility, is the place to be, holding 5,000 fans for tailgating before, during and after the games. It’s like a sports bar mecca.

Food choices range from Pacific Northwest hippie vegan fare to your typical barbecue, chili, sausages and breakfast burritos. And the craft beer is outstanding.

21. Nebraska

Nebraska fans — Red alert: Tailgating is a great way to make new friends.

First football game: 1890

Home: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

Bottom Line: Nebraska

Adrian Martinez — Husker fans line up to meet Nebraska players.

Memorial Stadium, nestled near downtown Lincoln, gives fans a chance to bar hop before games, a nice convenience considering the alcohol restrictions on campus.

The downtown experience is electric. The town becomes the third-largest city in the state on game days.

The Unity Walk by the players is also memorable.

But over the past few years, tailgate backyard parties have become an epic adventure for students.

20. Auburn

Aubie the Auburn Tiger greets fans during a Tiger Walk in Auburn, Alabama.

First football game: 1892

Home: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama

Bottom Line: Auburn

Auburn fans support the Tigers in all kinds of ways.

Auburn’s official tailgate spot is called The Loveliest Village on the Plains, so it must be a nice place to tailgate, right? And it is.

Loaded with friendly fans, this village is a great place to visit, even if you are wearing opposing team colors. Well, things can get kind of sketchy when Alabama comes to town.

The real thrill of visiting Auburn for a game, though, is the Tiger Walk, which Auburn claims to have been the first to do, and Toomer’s Corner, where fans roll toilet paper after a victory.

19. North Dakota State

North Dakota State tailgaters come prepared.

First football game: 1894

Home: Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota

Bottom Line: North Dakota State

North Dakota State fans love their Bisons.

Bison home games are like homecoming — for every home game.

As the saying goes, "the strength of the bison is the herd," and fans exhibit the pride in tremendous ways, so much so that ESPN's "College GameDay" makes the trip to Fargo on a regular basis.

Food selections include deer, buffalo or moose, delicacies hard to find anywhere else on this list.

18. Red River Rivalry

Red River Rivalry fan — Two teams. Twice as much fun. Thank you, Red River Rivalry.

First football game: 1900

Home: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

Bottom Line: Red River Rivalry

Red River Rivalry fans cheering — Texas and Oklahoma fans aren't shy about showing their loyalties.

The Red River Rivalry pits Oklahoma and Texas against each other at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas every fall, and coincides with the Texas State Fair.

Unlike the typical tailgate atmosphere, fans roam the fairgrounds in crimson and cream or burnt orange gorging themselves on delicious fried food, which includes outrageous delicacies like fried corn dogs, fried funnel cakes, fried pickles, fried Oreos, fried sticks of butter, fried beer and fried soda.

And you will often cross paths with band members, cheerleaders and former players as you walk around the fairgrounds.

With two of the most passionate fan bases from two of the most tradition-rich football programs in America coming together, the atmosphere is electric as the stadium gets split 50/50 for the game.

17. Georgia vs. Florida

Florida vs. Georgia tailgate — Who wants a cocktail?

First football game: 1904

Home: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Bottom Line: Georgia vs. Florida

The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party lives up to its name.

Fans decked out in blue and orange or red and black pitch tents and set up grills on parking lots, underpasses, grassy lots, nooks, crannies and every imaginable spot within walking distance of Everbank Field in Jacksonville.

For this tailgate occasion (usually in late October or early November), an average of 150,000 fans arrive for game day and many never make it into the stadium, choosing to party throughout the game along St. John’s River.

16. West Virginia

West Virginia fans on game day — On West Virginia football game days, Milan Puskar Stadium's 60,000 seats double the city's population in Morgantown as fans pack bars, restaurants and hotels. Muskets are optional.

First football game: 1891

Home: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West Virginia

Bottom Line: West Virginia

West Virginia fan with painted face — You gotta support the team.

Want to experience what it’s like at a West Virginia game — before, during or after the contest? Check out the video of Mountaineer fans singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" after the 2018 season-opening 40-14 rout of Tennessee in Charlotte.

At an actual tailgate in Morgantown, it’s a good bet that you’ll get to taste some form of venison and some home-cooked moonshine.

15. University of Alabama

Alabama fan making a barbecue plate — May the best barbecue win.

First football game: 1892

Home: Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Bottom Line: University of Alabama

University of Alabama fans tailgating — Good times.

With no professional team to contend with, Tuscaloosa revolves around ‎college football. "Roll Tide" is ingrained in your psyche — and your eardrums — as you stroll through The Quad on game day.

A huge grassy area just north of Bryant-Denny Stadium now allows fans to set up shop. Once inside the stadium, be ready to sing along to "Yea, Alabama," "Dixieland Delight," "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Rammer Jammer."

Tailgating on The Quad shuts down about 90 minutes after the game, but The Strip and downtown Tuscaloosa have plenty of bars to celebrate a Tide win, including places like The Houndstooth, The Bear Trap, Gallette’s, Innisfree or CopperTop.

14. Clemson

Clemson fans relaxing — Rain or shine, it's always tailgating weather for Clemson fans in South Carolina.

First football game: 1896

Home: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina

Bottom Line: Clemson

Clemson fan cooking food — Smells like football.

One of the best parts of tailgating at Clemson is the Tiger Walk. Before every game, the players walk from the parking lot into Memorial Stadium, giving fans a chance to greet their team.

The Clemson experience is all about what has been described as "the most exciting 25 seconds in football," when the players finish the Tiger Walk and assemble on the top of a hill above the east end zone.

Then, after rubbing Howard’s Rock, a cannon fires, and the team storms down the hill to the field.

13. Wisconsin

Wisconsin fan on game day — Nothing's shocking on game day in Madison.

First football game: 1889

Home: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison

Bottom Line: Wisconsin

Wisconsin fans — Badger fans getting warmed up.

Madison consistently is described as the best college town in the country and the game day experience is more about the house parties and awesome sports bars like State Street Brats and The Kollege Klub.

The friendly Midwesterners who do have tailgates on their front lawns and backyards are open to visitors whether you’re a Badgers fan or an opposing team’s fan. Brats and cheese curds are the food of choice.

As far as the game, Camp Randall Stadium rocks when House of Pain’s song "Jump Around" is cued up, sending the student section into a frenzy.

12. Iowa

Iowa fans — Don't forget to save room for the game.

First football game: 1889

Home: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa

Bottom Line: Iowa

Young Iowa fan — They get started young at Iowa.

The best part about tailgating at Iowa games is that the tailgating doesn’t stop with kickoff.

School officials allow tailgating to last for hours after the game ends, which is a good thing, especially when the Hawkeyes win.

The other signature piece of Iowa tailgates is the Big (Bleeping) Turkey Leg, began by the recently retired Chuck Ford and continued by a plethora of others.

11. South Carolina

First football game: 1892

Home: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina

Bottom Line: South Carolina

Cockabooses are the signature piece of tailgates at South Carolina.

Twenty-two train cars sit on an inactive railroad and provide fans an opportunity to "railgate."

You can eat and drink in luxury in these decked-out vintage rail cars.

10. Tennessee

First football game: 1891

Home: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennesse

Bottom Line: Tennessee

Neyland Stadium sits next to Tennessee River, where the "Vol Navy" assembles for a daylong party.

Approximately 200 boats dock along the Tennessee River in an annual tradition that officially began in 2002.

People will jump from boat to boat to experience different sailgates as music blares across the waterway. "Rocky Top" is the go-to song.

9. University of Washington

Washington sailgating — It doesn't get much better than sailgating on Lake Washington next to Husky Stadium.

First football game: 1889

Home: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington

Bottom Line: University of Washington

University of Washington fans playing pregame games — Games before the game.

Tailgating on boats? Count me in.

Husky Stadium and the idyllic campus of UW sit alongside Lake Washington. Husky Harbor can dock about 150 boats, and "sailgating" has been a norm since the 1950s. Approximately 8,000 fans partake in sailgating for each home game.

Once you dock the boat, be sure to visit the College Inn Pub, which is situated within an English Tudor Revival building constructed in 1909 and is a short walk to campus.

8. University of Michigan

Michigan fans — Good eats, good drinks, good friends. Everything a Michigan tailgater needs.

First football game: 1879

Home: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bottom Line: University of Michigan

University of Michigan fans feeling pumped — Michigan has generations of fans.

Michigan Stadium can hold 115,109, the most in America. Fall games allow visitors to take in the changing of the leaves.

Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club fairways make an ideal spot for tailgating — and partying. Better yet, the course is a chip shot away from the stadium.

And if you decide to go on homecoming weekend, you’ll be lucky enough to experience the annual Michigan Mudbowl, a Greek tradition first staged by Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

7. Penn State

Penn State fan grilling — Happy Valley is a happy place on Penn State game days.

First football game: 1887

Home: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Bottom Line: Penn State

Penn State fans tailgating — Get comfortable.

Happy Valley is hours away from a major metropolitan area, so a city emerges on game days.

Beaver Stadium becomes a virtual snowfall when fans wear white during White Out games (usually against rivals like Ohio State or Michigan).

The student section becomes "Zombie Nation" when the techno song "Kernkraft 400" is blasted on the loud system.

The vibration from the students jumping became such a concern at one point that stadium officials tried cutting back the number of times the song was played throughout the game, replacing it with The White Stripes’ "Seven Nation Army" and Blur’s "Song 2."

After student complaints (and engineering studies deemed the stadium safe), the song was brought back.

6. Texas

Texas beads — Tailgating — like many things in Texas — is big in Longhorn country.

First football game: 1893

Home: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas

Bottom Line: Texas

Texas Longhorn fans — Game on. Hook 'em.

Parking is an annoyance, but The Longhorn Tailgaters, located at the corner of Congress and 17th street, and the Horn-Ball Texas Tailgaters (1703 San Jacinto Blvd.), provide regulars and newcomers an awesome place to party before the game.

If a tailgate isn’t your thing, though, Austin is the place to be for barbecue. Check out the "The List of the Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas" by Texas Monthly magazine.

For starters, visit popular places like Franklin Barbecue, La Barbecue, Micklethwait Craft Meats, and Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew.

After the game, West Sixth Street (commonly known as "Dirty Sixth") becomes Texas’ version of Bourbon Street.

5. Texas A&M

Texas A&M tailgating — Welcome to College Station, Texas.

First football game: 1894

Home: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

Bottom Line: Texas A&M

Texas A&M food — Hope you brought your appetite.

There’s a reason Texas A&M fans are called The 12th Man. Enter Kyle Field, and see 102,733 fans sway in unison to the chants by Aggie Yell Leaders.

As far as tailgating, the food and hospitality are top-notch.

Cooking is an art form in College Station with outrageously delicious selections like smoked brisket, stuffed jalapenos, bacon mixed with cream cheese, ribeye wrapped with bacon and covered with bleu cheese, and all types of prime cuts — including gator bites when Florida comes to visit.

4. Notre Dame

First football game: 1887

Home: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

Bottom Line: Notre Dame

Tailgating at Notre Dame is more about the history than anything else.

Visit Touchdown Jesus, which is the giant mural officially referred to as The Word of Life.

Say some prayers at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Take the Stadium Tunnel Tour and take the walk into Notre Dame Stadium, something every Golden Domer has done since 1931.

Some consider South Bend to be the mecca of college football, so savor the tradition.

3. University of California, Berkeley

Cal fans rushing the field — California fans rush the field after a 2017 win in Berkeley.

First football game: 1886

Home: CaliforniaMemorial Stadium, Berkeley, California

Bottom Line: University of California, Berkeley

Charter Hill gives fans a perfect view of the Golden Bears in action. For free.

The hill rises about 100 feet above Cal's Memorial Stadium, and fans can view the games unencumbered.

Thus, tailgating happens before, during and after the games.

Another perk? The California Victory Cannon is situated on the hill and blasts off after every score so be sure to cover your ears.

2. LSU

Show us the food. The LSU marching band gets tailgaters in the mood to eat in Baton Rouge.

First football game: 1893

Home: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Bottom Line: LSU

When it comes to food, LSU might just provide the best in college football.

Walk the Parade Grounds, and it’s like a smorgasbord of Cajun food, including boudin, jambalaya, sausage, sauce piquante, crawfish, etouffee, and gumbo.

Food is so central to the LSU experience that a cheer can be heard throughout the weekend: “Hot boudin, cold couche-couche, come on Tigers, push, push, push!”

1. Ole Miss

First football game: 1893

Home: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi

Bottom Line: Ole Miss

If you follow college football, you’ve heard of the Grove. And if you’ve never been, you need to put it on your bucket list.

A leafy, 10-acre wonderland of tents is college football’s version of fine dining and etiquette.

Approximately 25,000 fans fill the area for Rebels contests, and it’s the reason why Ole Miss has a saying, "We may not win every game, but we never lose a party."

You can’t do any cooking with an open flame, but there are plenty of things to do.

Other traditions include the Walk of Champions, started in 1985 by coach Billy Brewer, who began leading the players through the packed crowd on the route through the Grove to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Enjoy.