Five Essential Tailgating Tips for Gameday

It’s been a hit-or-miss start to an already wild football season here in the Tri-State area. The Giants’ offense finally found some rhythm (i.e., found Malik Nabers) as the G-Men beat Cleveland for their first win. Yet fans are mostly left wishing quarterback prospect Arch Manning was eligible for the upcoming 2025 draft. Meanwhile, the Eagles are 2-1 after slowing down New Orleans, though head coach Nick Sirianni’s seat remains hotter than one of Travis Kelce’s pregame fits. 

But the ongoing drama of the NFL season takes a back seat when it’s time to prepare your tailgate. Tailgating, a transcendent sporting experience that exists outside of time and space, doesn’t care about your “official game results.” It’s only concerned with grilling, the occasional backyard game, and more grilling. But much like a head coach must spend the week before gameday crafting a gameplan, you need to prepare ahead of time to pull off the optimal tailgate. 

Pull up to your next tailgate in style with these five pro tailgating tips from Raceway Nissan of Freehold, your home of the zero dollar down lease deal.

1. Make a Master Itinerary For the Season

One of the unwritten rules of tailgating is that once you arrive, there’s no leaving early. That means no backtracking home, vacating your ideal spot because you left the hot dog buns sitting on your kitchen counter. 

Instead, make a detailed checklist of everything you need to 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. Along with the grill, don’t forget disposable utensils, plates, napkins and cups. Lastly, don’t forget to pack your Nissan with backyard games and other entertainment: cornhole tables, frisbees, boardgames, etc. 

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to get down to why you’re really here: the food. 

2. Don’t Go Off-Menu

The best quarterbacks in the league – your Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen – are master improvisers, able to influence plays 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 stick to the script once you’ve finalized your menu. 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. If they’re out of that spicy mustard you superstitiously eat every Sunday, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.

If you’re grilling – and we hope that you’re grilling – make sure it’s firing up properly before departing. Experienced tailgaters should keep the grill in action throughout the morning. Your fellow tailgaters will appreciate fresh food being served around the clock, as opposed to you unceremoniously dumping all the meat on the grill at once. Plus, the continuous smoke and its accompanying aroma will help keep the good vibes going, reminding 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 keeps the herbivores in your party content.

3. Find the Right Spot

Knowing where to set up camp is truly half the tailgate battle. Arrive as early as possible, 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 the newest Nissan Kicks.) If you’re driving an electric vehicle, like the Nissan Ariya, 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 the pop-up canopy. Then position the grill in a spot that’s both unobtrusive and at the center of attention. (Real grillmasters know this is possible.)

4. Visuals Matter

They say it’s not whether you win or lose, but how good you look playing that matters. 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 blue shirt in a sea of green.

5. Be Respectful & Responsible 

Your tailgate might be your sacred pre-game 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 be prepared for 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. 

That level of respect should extend to your fellow tailgaters. A tailgate is essentially a living thing, with 90% of its body composed of 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 Nissan

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 Nissan. 

Our extensive Service Center will keep your vehicle in mid-season form all year long. Whether you’re in need of battery replacement, brake repair, or an oil change, our seasoned technicians are waiting on the sidelines and ready for action. 

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 the stadium confidently in the 2024 Nissan Sentra. Or make it a family affair with the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder.

This season, don’t be the last player holding out. You’ll find a winning deal waiting for you at your home of the zero dollar down lease deal, Raceway Nissan of Freehold.