Five Tips to Optimize Your Gameday Tailgate
It’s been an interesting start to an already-unpredictable football season here in the Tri-State area. The Giants’ offense finally found some rhythm as the G-Men bested Cleveland for their first win. Yet fans are mostly left wishing quarterback prospect Arch Manning was eligible for the 2025 draft. Meanwhile, the Eagles are 2-1 after slowing down the Saints, though head coach Nick Sirianni’s seat remains hotter than one of Travis Kelce’s pregame fits.
Fortunately, none of that should matter when you’re preparing your next tailgate – a transcendent sporting experience that exists outside of time, space, and official game results. But much like a head coach must spend the entire game week crafting a gameplan, you need to prepare ahead of time to pull off the optimal tailgate.
That’s where Raceway has your back. Pull up to your next tailgate in style with these five pro tailgating tips from Raceway Kia of Freehold – where you win.
1. Make a Checklist of Everything You Need
One of the unwritten rules of tailgating is that once you arrive, there’s no leaving early. That means no backtracking to your home, vacating your ideal spot because you left the propane tank sitting on your kitchen counter.
Instead, make a detailed checklist of everything you should bring days in advance. Ideally, this should serve as an evergreen itinerary for every gameday this season. Make sure you have the essentials: a pop-up canopy, enough folding chairs for everyone, and weather-appropriate clothing. Remember plastic or otherwise disposable utensils, plates, napkins and cups. Lastly, don’t forget to pack your Kia with backyard games and other entertainment: cornhole tables, frisbees, boardgames, etc.
Now that the basics are out of the way, it’s time to focus on what you really care about: the food.
2. Don’t Go Off-Menu
The best quarterbacks in the league – your Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson – are master improvisers, able to course correct a play on the fly depending on what defenses are giving them. But when subpar or even league-average quarterbacks attempt to interject their own flair into the gameplan, it tends to go poorly.
Maybe you’re the Patrick Mahomes of tailgating. That’s great. But we’re going to assume that since you’re reading this blog, that’s not the case. Thus, it’s better to stay in your lane when it comes to making last-minute menu audibles. Plan what you’re going to cook ahead of time, stocking up on all necessary ingredients, condiments, and utensils. And don’t put off buying your food until gameday. Who knows when the next national bratwurst shortage will hit?
If you’re grilling – and we hope that you’re grilling – make sure all systems are firing up properly before departing. Seasoned tailgaters should keep the grill in action as long as possible. Your fellow tailgaters will appreciate fresh burgers and hot dogs being served around the clock, rather than dumping all the meat onto the grill at once. Plus, the continuous smoke and its accompanying aroma will help keep the vibes lively, a constant reminder to passers-by where the real party’s at.
Just don’t make your tailgate a total sausage fest. Cater to everyone in your party by preparing a healthy dose of snacks and side dishes – corn, beans, casseroles, veggies, mac and cheese, etc. This provides needed variety and is conscientious of any herbivores in your group.
3. It’s All About the Spot
Knowing where to set up shop is truly half the tailgate battle. Arrive early to give yourself options, keeping in mind that you absolutely cannot start any tailgate too early. If you’re heading to an arena that doesn’t open their parking grounds until gates open, aim to arrive at least an hour prior to that time. Anticipation, after all, will only heighten the tailgating experience. (And there are worse ways to spend an idle hour than inside a Telluride.) If you’re driving an electric vehicle, like the award-winning Kia EV9, make sure it’s fully charged beforehand.
Once you’ve arrived at the perfect spot – not too far from the stadium, but not close enough that fans are constantly walking through your space – it’s time to set up camp. Take care of larger fixtures first, such as pop-up canopies to combat the elements. Then position the grill in a spot that’s unobtrusive, but still prominent enough to show off your grillmaster chops.
4. Dress to Impress
They say it’s not whether you win or lose, but how good you look doing it. Hardcore fans might quibble with this philosophy, but the premise is sound. For a good tailgating game-within-a-game, try making your tailgating spot the envy of the parking lot. If your budget allows it, go all out with official team canopies, flags, and large, inflatable players. If you’re heading up to Buffalo, bring a couple tables to smash.
And this should go without saying, but make sure you look the part. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank on a new jersey from the official team merchandise store, but at the very least, don’t be the one red shirt in a sea of green. News flash: not many fellow Giants fans are going to stop and gawk when you’re wearing nondescript clothing that doesn’t even adhere to the red and blue.
5. Be Respectful & Responsible
Your tailgate might be your sacred space, but that doesn’t give you free reign to do whatever you please. Respect the rules of the grounds you’re visiting, including drink regulations. If your tailgate spot doesn’t permit outsider alcohol, that’s something you should know before arriving. Keep your space neat and tidy, dispose of all garbage immediately before the wind can take it, and always leave your spot in the same condition you found it in.
That level of respect should extend to your fellow tailgaters. If a tailgate was a living organism, 90% of its body would be vibes. Share in your spirit and enthusiasm, invite your neighbors over, and generally treat the tailgate like the communal experience it’s meant to be.
Every Tailgate Starts at Raceway Kia
You are now officially over-prepared to tailgate. All that’s left is to make sure your ride to the tailgate is in proper shape. That’s why your first stop of the season should always be to Raceway Kia.
Our extensive Service Center will keep your vehicle in mid-season form all year long. Whether you’re in need of new parts, transmission repair, or a tire alignment, our seasoned technicians are waiting on the sidelines to offer you an assist.
And although it should go without saying, the one thing you definitely need for your tailgate is… you know, a tailgate. This fall, roll up to your tailgate confidently in a new or pre-owned Kia, such as the 2025 Kia Seltos. Or bleed green with the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. At Raceway, we offer a level of vehicular variety that can only be provided by a two-time winner of the Kia President’s Club Award.
The season may already be underway, but it’s time to kick off your own championship run at Raceway Kia: where you win.
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