With the changing times, technological advancement has affected gameday experiences. Gone are the days when the only sports experience would involve going to where the games are hosted.
You can catch a game live at the venue, but there are alternatives that attract fans and provide a positive experience at every gameday party. Depending on your preference, you can live stream a game or even use a tailgate generator to really maximize your time.
Whichever way you choose to enjoy a game, you’ll need to consider some factors to avoid having a bad experience, such as the rules of the venue. Here are some tips you can do to ensure you’ll have an amazing gameday experience in any location you choose.
1. Know The Venue’s Rules
If you’ve decided to watch a game at the stadium or arena, booking a suite, such as a medallion club at Marvel Stadium, will be a wonderful opportunity. However, you’ll have to take account of some of the venue’s rules.
Before booking a suite, find out when the lots open, if they allow barbecue grills, or if kegs are allowed. Knowing the establishment’s policies will keep you away from trouble.
Additionally, check the catering options and whether they provide food. See if these options or their menu will suit you and your companions.
2. Go For Easy Food Prep
Every tailgate will be more memorable with delicious hot foods, which are more appetizing than colder options, such as sandwiches and chips and dip. So, you’ll need to prepare food everyone will appreciate.
When picking food, go for those that take less time to prepare. For instance, whip up some cheesy pizza rolls, which only require 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to bake. You can add whatever pizza toppings you or friends like. Another mouthwatering option is fried chicken wings. Frying them is easy, and you’ll only need to prepare for 10 minutes and cook for 20 minutes.
Try to be adventurous when planning your gameday menu. Select foods that you haven’t tried making but will be irresistible to your group. One dish you can try is fried ravioli. You just need an air fryer and the ingredients, so preparing and cooking ravioli will be a breeze. You’ll be done in about half an hour. If you want to serve some meat, you can marinate the meat overnight and grill it before the game starts.
On the other hand, smoking a brisket won’t be practical because it will take about a couple of hours. So, you might miss most of the game.
Don’t forget to provide the drinks too. Provide sodas and water. You can serve some juice as well, like lemonade or iced tea. Spice things up with some cocktails: margarita, butterfly or trifecta punch, or le grand frizz.
3. Prepare Ahead Of Time
Whether you spend your gameday party at a venue or tailgate, you’ll need to prepare ahead of time. When watching from a suite, preorder your drinks before game day to give the staff enough time to prepare. Aside from making preorders, note down any dietary restrictions to avoid allergic reactions.
When tailgating, be ready with all the essentials, including food, beverages, table, canopies, and so on. If you plan to cook, pack all the necessary tools, spices, and ingredients. Moreover, you should reach out to the host and help out. For example, if one of your family members will be hosting, you can offer to take care of some things, such as buying beers for everyone or providing dessert.
4. Take Inspiration From The Teams
Consider the teams playing and take inspiration from them if you’re going to host a gameday party at home. You can prepare food native to each team’s towns, cities, or countries. These foods will make everyone feel closer to their team, especially when they celebrate their team’s victory.
Additionally, use cutlery that reflects team colors. Team colors will show which groups your guests support, adding to the fun and building camaraderie. You can even ask your friends to wear their team accessories, shirt, or jersey to rep their favorite team.
5. Make Friends
Game day is a lively occasion when everyone comes together to support their favorite teams. If you’re invited to tailgate, interact with others and make friends with them.
Watching a game with lovely company makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. You get to discuss which team is most likely to win or lose, joke around, and share what you love about your favorite team.
6. Add Activities
During halftime of a game, engage in activities with your guests. You can play football-themed bingo and have each box correspond to what may happen during the game, like a field goal, a safety, or a shot of the blimp. Table games are perfect for a gameday party in cold weather, such as Uno or dominoes.
Bottom Line
Gameday parties with friends, family, or others are always exciting. They’ll be even more fun if you plan and prepare well.