20 Clever Tailgating Gadgets to Elevate Your Setup
Football season is in full swing! Check out these 20 smart tailgating supplies and gadgets that will streamline your game-day experience, from setup to cleanup and everything in between.
Do you wait all year for college football season to roll around? In preparation, we’ve been stocking up on stadium-approved accessories, updating our SEC city guides, and now we’re looking to set you up for your best tailgating season yet. After asking friends, colleagues, and scouring reviews, we’ve refreshed and added to the list y’all loved last season. Here are 20 innovative products to help you streamline your next tailgate!
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Collapsible Tailgating Table with Cooler
There’s nothing like a piece of equipment that loves to multitask. This collapsible table features four drink holders and a food basket, perfect for bowls of snacks or storing supplies like paper towels, plastic cups, cutlery, and more. Tucked under the food basket, you’ll find a large insulated cooler vessel. When collapsed, the table slides into a convenient over-the-shoulder carrying case like the ones used for folding camp chairs. Get it HERE for $54.99.
Inflatable Tailgate Bar
Leave the folding table for the food and this game-day MVP for the drinks: the brand-new pop-up party bar from FUNBOY. Lightweight, portable, and inflatable (but sturdy), it sets up in seconds and folds down small enough to ride shotgun.
Whether you’re tailgating, hanging by the pool, or hosting a backyard crowd, it’s an instant upgrade to any gathering. The pump and carrying case are included — drinks and good company are up to you. It’s currently on special pre-order pricing for $199 and comes in four striped colors at FUNBOY.
Tailgate Flagpole
Nothing says game day like flying your team colors high, and this 20-foot portable flagpole makes it easy for friends to find your setup. It collapses to just over four feet for storage, pops up in minutes with a tire-mount base, and is tough enough to handle 60 mph winds.
The flip-lock system keeps it steady, and the dual-flag design means you can fly both your NFL and your SEC team without tangles. Bonus: the protective sleeve keeps your car safe from scrapes. Roll up, raise it high, and let everyone know where the party is. Shop this for $129.99 HERE.
Lounge Wagon
Another fabulous piece of multi-purpose equipment is the Lounge Wagon, which doubles as a rolling storage cart and a roomy bench seat that can easily seat two adults or three children. It’s perfect for toting all your tailgating equipment and then taking a load off once you’re all set up. The wagon weighs 43 pounds and is bulky folded, so we recommend taking measurements before ordering. The Lounge Wagon is available HERE for $399.95.
All-Terrain Rolling Cooler
If refreshments are your primary concern, the 70-quart Trailmate Journey from Igloo is truly the tailgating holy grail. It features all-terrain smooth-ride wheels, a telescoping handle, bottle openers, extra storage compartments for small items like keys and sunscreen, plus a butler tray that’s stored inside the lid and attaches to the cooler’s handle, providing a handy extra surface when you need it. It comes in six colors HERE for $259.99.
Chilled Condiment Tray
Prep your toppings, condiments, and garnishes beforehand, then store, serve, and keep them cool with a single product. This five-compartment caddy includes a lid to keep debris and insects at bay, an ice tray for cooling, and various serving utensils.
We can imagine plenty of uses for this bad boy, well beyond toppings for burgers and hot dogs — Bloody Mary garnishes, chili toppings, and even a lineup of chilled cocktail snacks like pickles, olives, and cheese cubes. Find the tray HERE for $24.99.
Neck Fan
The first few games of the season can be brutal — stay cool with a highly rated hands-free neck fan! But they’re not all created equally. SB TIP: When it comes to rechargeable products like this, always look for the highest mAh (this one’s 6000, while some others are 2000!).
You don’t have to worry about replacing the batteries, and the design is bladeless, so your hair will not get stuck. It also has an LED display for battery life. It’s available in five colors HERE for $26.99.
Portable Cast Iron Kickoff Grill
Admittedly, this may be the opposite of a “gadget,” but if you love cast-iron cooking, you’ll love this easily portable grill from Lodge. Thanks to the reliable heat retention and distribution of cast iron, charcoal is ready in a hurry, and you’ll get an even char on all your meat and veggies. Plus, it will arrive pre-seasoned and ready to roll! The grill is available HERE for $99.99.
Fly Repelling Food Fans
Tabletop fly-repelling fans not only keep pests away but also offer some additional airflow around the table. We love that this option has a hidden hook and can be strung and hung over your spread as well. You can find a pack of four HERE for $27.99.
Trio Beverage Cooler
Can coolers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and we’re here for it. This triple threat from Brümate has more than 22,000 five-star reviews and can accommodate both tall and short cans, thanks to a freezable insert. If you’re sipping a draught beer, cocktail, or even iced coffee on game day, this cooler also comes with a tight-seal lid that transforms into an insulated pint glass. It’s available from Brümate in a variety of colors for $29.99.
Chalkboard
We saw someone suggest this on Reddit, and we love the idea. Grab a foldable chalkboard to let others know what you’re serving up at your tailgate. Plus, it’s great for special announcements, kickoff times, or tracking beerpong/cornhole scores between friends. This is $59.99 HERE and comes in brown, white, and black.
Portable Heater
We know the late-season games can get brutally chilly, rainy, or breezy, but the Mr. Heater Big Buddy’s got you covered. Crank it to 4,000, 9,000, or full 18,000 BTUs of radiant propane heat and warm up to about 450 square feet — plenty of warmth for a patio, RV, hunting blind, or tent. Get it HERE for $142.77.
Burger Master
This nonstick burger press simplifies burger prep in a BIG way. To use it, simply spread your seasoned ground meat into the well. When you seal the lid, it will cut the burgers into perfectly portioned patties. From there, you can easily store and transport them on game day or stash them in the freezer for the rest of the season! The Burger Master is available HERE for $25.99.
Rhino Rack Batwing Car Awning
A reliable canopy is a must for tailgating season. While a wide variety of options are available at different price points, this unique design from Rhino Rack offers 270 degrees of shade and a whopping 118.5 square feet of coverage.
Thanks to its extensive coverage area, easy storage, and durable material, it’s always top-rated by gearheads and publications. (Note that it will likely require two sets of hands for easy setup.) Get this canopy HERE for $680.
JBL PartyBox
When it comes to music or game broadcasts, don’t rely on car speakers or smaller portable ones. The JBL PartyBox 310 is consistently touted as the best for tailgates, backyards, and parties of all kinds.
With 240 watts of high-quality sound, synced light shows, and 18 hours of battery life, this thing goes from sunrise to way past kickoff. It’s splash-resistant, has wheels and a telescoping handle to roll up anywhere, and even hooks up mics or a guitar for impromptu karaoke or jam sessions. At $449.95, it’s a worthy splurge. Check out the reviews and get it HERE.
Telescopic Stool
This stool is ideal for crowded events, long lines, hikes, and more! A lightweight disc with a carrying handle easily expands into a sturdy stool with a capacity of up to 400 pounds. This is great for older game attendees, folks with mobility issues, or even tired kiddos. It’s 44% off right now and $22.38 HERE.
Collapsible Beer Pong Table with Cup Holes
Whether you partake or not, you must admit — beer pong is a classic tailgating pastime. This lightweight table folds into a compact carrying case for easy transport and setup. It also boasts cutouts for the cups, making for a regulation game and preventing cups from flying. Plus, the surface is made up of a dry-erase material, so you can easily keep score or decorate in team colors! Order one on Amazon for $119.99.
Eco-Friendly Plates
Bamboo and palm leaf plates are a chic and environmentally friendly disposable serveware option. They instantly elevate the appearance of any buffet table, their neutral hue goes with any pairing of team colors, and they’re compostable to boot. Snag a 50-pack with 25 dinner plates and 25 dessert plates HERE for $32.36.
Portable Garbage Bag Holder
No more tying garbage bags to car door handles and tree branches, and no more end-of-day spills! This collapsible plastic trash bag holder will keep your tailgating turf tidy. It fits a 13-gallon bag, and you can get a holder for $19.99 HERE.
Lightweight Folding Cook Station
If half the joy of tailgate fare is prepping on-site, a folding cook station like this one will instantly up your game. This particular table offers a variety of surfaces for prep, storage, and serving. The shelves even have several beverage holders, including spots for holding your stemware! When it’s time to pack up and go home, the lightweight table folds into a compact configuration easily carried and stored in your vehicle. Get it HERE for $100.
May this season bring more wins than losses!
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For creative dishes to complement your tailgate and watch party menus, check out our Recipes archive!
Zoe Yarborough
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint staff writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant of eleven years. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.