With football season comes tailgating, a.k.a. the best way to spend the hours leading up to the big game: eating, drinking, and hanging out with fellow fans. RV tailgating brings the pregaming festivities to another level. You have a stove, a fridge, and a clean bathroom nearby, making your whole experience much more comfortable and convenient!
RV Tailgating vs Regular Tailgating
We may be biased, but there’s really no question that RV tailgating is the way to go! Here we compare regular tailgating and RV tailgating.
| Feature | Regular Tailgating | RV Tailgating |
| Food | Limited to what works with a cooler and maybe a portable grill | A full kitchen means you can serve whatever you want — plus easily prep food in advance and store leftovers |
| Electricity Access | Unlikely; you’ll probably be limited to battery-powered items | Generators (or campground hookups) mean you can enjoy climate control, TV, and all the comforts of home wherever you’re parked |
| Restroom Facilities | Limited to public restrooms available; possibly port-a-potties | Fully functional onboard private bathroom |
| Road Trip Accessibility | Possible, but less comfortable | Make game day weekend into a week-long trip or a longer adventure with every comfort and convenience onboard |
The Best Reasons for RV Tailgating
There are so many reasons that the money and time RV tailgating takes are worth it! The feeling of spending time with other football fans on a crisp fall day, getting excited for the upcoming game … well, there’s nothing quite like it. Here are a few of the best reasons to tailgate with an RV on Game Day.
- Football Tailgating Food: Wings, cheesesteaks, nachos, chili… football food is the very best kind of comfort food! Having an RV is the best way to prep food and keep it either warm or cold up until you want to eat it. Whether you set up a grill outside your RV, or go for slow cooker or Instant Pot dishes, your rig’s onboard kitchen makes it all easier. You’ll have a convenient power source for anything that requires electricity. You’ll have a refrigerator to keep veggies, dips, and drinks cold. And, importantly, you’ll have a sink to keep hands and dishes clean.
- Great Game Day Setup: Thanks to your power source, you also have a way to watch the game if you’re not attending. If you are heading into the stadium, you can still keep up on the pregame TV hype, or catch up with the other games you’re missing in the meantime. You’ll want to make sure in advance that you have access to the channel that broadcasts the games you’re interested in. DISH offers an option specifically for RVers, so you may want to look into it. If you do sign up for DISH, use this link for a special offer.
- Convenient Amenities: Anyone who’s had to use the portable toilets in the parking lot at some stadiums will appreciate having their own personal bathroom in an RV! RV tailgating also means you’ll have a place to retreat if the fall weather gets either too cold or too warm. You have room to carry extra tables and chairs in case other fans drop by to chat. Even the onboard bed can be useful if someone wants to take a nap during the game, or if you have small children who need to sleep.
- Exploring: If you’re headed to an out-of-town game and rent an RV to tailgate, you can keep up the adventure after the game is over. Most NFL teams are in big cities with lots to explore. You can also check out state parks, nearby national parks, museums, theme parks, and more. College towns have a lot to offer, too, and are often also surrounded by beautiful nature. You’ll find nearby campgrounds in all states so you can extend your stay and enjoy the sights and your RV!
RV Tailgating at a Campground
The stadium parking lot isn’t the only place to enjoy an RV tailgate. Staying at a nearby campground can give you more room to settle in, cook your favorite game-day food, and spend the weekend with fellow fans.
Campgrounds like KOA offer the accommodations and amenities RV travelers need to turn game day into a comfortable weekend away. Set up your RV, bring out the chairs and snacks, and watch the big game from your campsite. Depending on the campground and your site, you may also have access to RV hookups and other amenities that make hosting your game-day crew easier.
For college football weekends, look for campgrounds near campus so you can enjoy the excitement of the college town while having a comfortable home base outside the busiest tailgating areas. Pro football fans can do the same by finding a campground within driving distance of the stadium.
Don’t have tickets to the game? A campground can also be the destination. Bring a TV or other game-day setup, invite your fellow fans, and enjoy the matchup from your RV. You’ll get the fun of a football weekend with the flexibility to make the experience your own.
Before booking, check the campground’s rules for visitors, outdoor TVs, grills, generators, quiet hours, and other tailgating activities. Then, find a campground near your game-day destination and start planning your RV tailgating weekend.
What to Bring
When you’re planning to tailgate, make sure you pack everything you need for a great time! Here’s a printable packing list to help you remember all the gear you’ll need.
Cooking
- Grill & fuel
- Grilling tools
- Foil/pans for serving
- Knives & cutting board
- Seasonings, oil
- Cooler & ice
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
Food & Drinks
- Meats & veggies
- Snacks & dips
- Buns & condiments
- Dessert
- Beer/soda/water/cocktails
- Coffee/tea
Serving
- Plates/cups/utensils
- Serving trays
- Opener/koozies
- Table & tablecloth
- Food storage containers for leftovers
Seating & Comfort
- Chairs
- Canopy/awning
- Rug/blankets
- Heater/fan
- Sunscreen/bug spray
Entertainment
- Speaker/music
- Tailgating games like cornhole
- Team flags or gear
- Lights/lanterns
- TV/projector
Clothing
- Jerseys/hats
- Comfortable shoes
- Layers/jackets
- Rain gear
- Sunglasses
- Cold-weather gear
RV Essentials
- Leveling blocks
- Extension cords
- Generator/propane
- Hoses/connectors
- Ladder
Safety/Misc
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Sanitizer/wipes
- Cash and cards
- Clear stadium bag
Tips for Tailgating
As you plan your RV tailgating outing, you’ll want to consider a few things. These tips can help you make sure you’re ready for your big day of football watching (and eating!).
Know the Rules
Many tailgating sections at parking lots sell special tickets for those lots — and you may need an additional, specific permit to park an RV. Make sure you’ve purchased the right ticket as soon as possible! Some of these sections begin selling spots months in advance, so you’ll want to start planning well ahead of time.
You may also need to know your RV’s size to be sure it fits in the appropriate parking spot. Check whether there are hookups available or if you’ll need to run on your own power (i.e., use your generator — though in this case, you’ll also want to be aware of any quiet hours or other noise or emissions restrictions).
Finally, read the rest of the parking and tailgating rules. These are usually on a section of the website for the team you’re going to see. Make sure you know how much of the space around your RV you’re allowed to occupy. Also, check what time you’re allowed to arrive and set up, and when you need to be packed up to leave.
Plan the Menu
Plan your menu in advance and save some effort on Game Day by prepping food ahead of time. Chop any vegetables, marinate your meat, and do as much as you can at home before you arrive. Pack things together, and separate by category. Have one large bin for decor, one for kitchen items, one for games, etc.
Arrive Early
Find out when the stadium will allow you to arrive that morning, and plan on getting there early. This gives you time to set everything up, get cooking, and enjoy tailgating before the game begins. It also means you won’t be maneuvering your rig through crowds of people trying to get into the stadium. If you don’t live nearby, consider finding a nearby campground where you can camp the night before. That will make your drive much easier in the morning!
Mark Your Spot
Roll out a rug or set up chairs to define your tailgating space. Items like team flags or banners are fun and festive decor, and they also make it easier for anyone meeting you there to find you. Set up your games and any other areas as well.
Set Up Your Food Flow
A buffet-style table is usually the easiest way to get people through a food line. Have drinks on one end and food on the other to keep things moving, or to allow people to grab what they need. You may also want some smaller tables with other snacks, to keep everyone from hovering around the same table.
If you have a large group, you can make a batch of cocktails or mocktails to serve from a dispenser instead of mixing drinks individually. (Double-check any alcohol restrictions imposed by the stadium before you serve!)
Plan Your Cleanup
If you’re headed into the stadium for the game, find out how much you need to clean up first. Some stadiums, especially at smaller universities, may let you leave chairs, games, and other items out to return to after the game. Clean up your food so you don’t attract bugs and other pests. Store items that need to be refrigerated, and bag any trash.
When you’re tearing down your camp for good, assign people different jobs. Have one person collect trash, one store food and drinks, and one pack up any decor and games. Packing up goes much quicker with a team!
Pro Tip: Along with using a large trash bag to collect trash, bring along a collapsible laundry basket. You can toss tablecloths, dishcloths, and any other linens in there to wash later.
FAQs for RV Tailgating
Even with the best planning, you may have some questions about RV tailgating. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
As with many RV activities, the best size RV for tailgating will depend on the type of tailgating you want to do. If you want to throw a big party with all the amenities, a Class A motorcoach or fifth wheel travel trailer might be your favorite option. Just be sure that your RV will fit in the assigned spot. On the other hand, if you want to travel light and easy, plan on spending most of your time outdoors and are willing to “rough it” on the bathroom front, a Class B campervan or pop-up camper may suffice.
It depends. While some stadiums disallow RVs entirely, many NFL and college football stadiums do allow motorhomes and travel trailers — but they often have to be in designated lots and you’ll likely need to purchase a pass ($100 to $200 per game). Always double-check the requirements at the specific stadium you have in mind, and keep an eye on length restrictions: your available space may cap out at 40 feet, or you may be required to buy two spaces if your RV is longer than that.
You’ll want to consider a few categories when you pack for RV tailgating. You’ll want to pack food and utensils, games and decor, and RV essentials to make sure the day runs smoothly. This printable packing list can help you make sure you don’t miss anything.
Yes, you usually need a ticket to tailgate in stadium lots. Most NFL stadiums require you to have both a ticket to the game and a parking pass for the tailgating lot. College stadiums are sometimes more relaxed, but you may still need an RV-specific pass. You’ll want to read the specific rules for each stadium and abide by those.
Whether you’re headed to a local college game or a big out-of-town NFL game, RV tailgating is a great way to get hyped for the game. If you don’t have an RV of your own, RVshare has plenty of amazing rental rigs, including many of the best RVs for tailgating. Start your search for the perfect RV and get one booked today!
