Tailgate party

Atailgate partyis asocial eventheld on and around the opentailgateof avehicle. Tailgating, which primarily takes place in the United States and Canada, often involves consumingalcoholic beverageswhilebarbecuingandgrillingfood. Tailgate parties occur in theparking lotsatstadiumsand arenas, before and occasionally aftergames,festivals, andconcerts. 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 illegalsoliciting. 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 besidesAmericanandCanadian football, such asbasketball,hockey,baseballandsoccer. They also occur at non-sporting events such asweddings, cultural festivals andconcerts.As American and Canadian football outside North America has copied many of its associated traditions from theNational Football League(NFL), theCanadian Football League(CFL), andcollege 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 aportmanteauof "tailgate nation".
Tailgating typically involves the consumption ofalcoholic beveragesorsoft drinksand the grilling of various meat products. Popular tailgate party foods includepicnicandgrillingstaples such asbratwurst,hamburgers,hot dogs,buffalo wings,baked beans,steak,to-gopizza, and cold salads likecoleslaworpotato salad. Snacks includepotatoandtortilla chipswithguacamoleamong others which are fairly common. Some food products were created because of tailgate parties. A brand ofpimento cheese, calledPalmetto Cheese, got its start atAtlanta Bravestailgate parties.In some Southern U.S. states and subtropical areas,fried seafoodis made and shared at certain tailgate parties.
Lawn gamessuch asKanJam,cornhole,ladder golf,Polish horseshoes,Louisville Chugger,Jarts,washer pitchingandSholfare very popular during tailgates and tailgate parties. Lawn games are associated with tailgating primarily because of the simplicity in the game materials.Lawn games carry the connotation of drinking games because of their presence during tailgates.Other games that are often played includebeer pongandflipcup.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 atelevision setand antenna/satellite to anelectric generatorso partygoers can watch other sporting events.
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.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.
In 2007, the NFL angered many football fans by banning tailgating before the Super Bowl.The NFL cited security risks, though many suspected it had more to do with corporate sponsored events than any real threat.In 2008, anonline petitionbegan circulating to encourage the NFL to lift the no tailgating at the Super Bowl policy. Members of the sports mediaalso 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.
In theSimpsonsepisode "Any Given Sundance",Homertakes 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 theTravel Channeloriginal seriesMan v. Foodhad 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 forBud Lightbeer and cellphones.
In season 3 ofIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Frank convinces Charlie to join him and tailgate while the rest of the gang try out for thePhiladelphia Eagles.
Season 1 ofChicago Party Aunthad an entire episode, titled "Tailgate Jailgate", set at, and centered around, a tailgate party.
Season 4 episode 7 ofSuccessionis called "Tailgate Party" and refers to a presidential election party held in Shiv and Tom's apartment.
In the2023 revival ofFrasier, 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.