Tailgate Like a Pro: Tailgate Essentials for NFL Kickoff Weekend

Ready to turn up the excitement for the football season? Well National Tailgating Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of September, is here just in time and is the perfect opportunity for fans to get together and show off their grilling skills. 

If you’re a cookout newbie it might be a bit tight to organize your first all-out tailgate in time for football’s official Kickoff Game on September 5th—but don't worry! This guide isn't just for now, it's your go-to for hosting unforgettable tailgates in the future. From setting up your spot to putting together a crowd-pleasing menu, we've got all the tips you need to become a tailgating champion.

Pro Tip #1: Set the Scene

Setting up the perfect tailgate is all about preparation and having the right gear. Here’s a starter checklist to ensure you have the tailgate essentials: 
 

• Portable grill 

• Charcoal and lighter fluid or propane 

• Grilling utensils 

• Food thermometer to check cooking temps 

• Foil pans for serving 

• Large coolers for beverages, meat, and produce 

• Foldable tables for food prep and serving 

• Plastic tablecloth and clips 

• Comfortable outdoor chairs 

• Canopy for shade 

• Paper plates and utensils 

• Napkins and paper towels 

• Disinfecting wipes for any spills 

• Trash bags for easy cleanup 

• Bluetooth speaker for pre-game tunes 

• Team flags and decorations to show your spirit 

Pro Tip #2: Make a Winning Menu

A great tailgate menu should be a balance of snackable appetizers and satisfying mains to keep your crowd fueled through every touchdown. And we have some winning tailgate food ideas for any menu. Consider these Wings and Rings favorites off our menu for your tailgate, order to-go, or bring the party over to a Wings and Rings near you!

Snacks

You could do basics like packaged snacks, fruit platters, or veggie spreads to on the side at your tailgate. Or you could upgrade your menu the Wings and Rings way with the tailgate food ideas:

Korean Shrimp

Make your menu exciting! Kick off with Wings and Rings Korean Shrimp from our starter menu—lightly breaded, fried shrimp tossed in tangy Gochujang sauce and served atop a bed of Korean BBQ slaw with jalapeños, sesame seeds, and cilantro. It’s a flavorful start to any tailgate.

Fried Pickle Chips

Want a side that’s more unique than your standard bag of chips? Go for Fried Pickle Chips! Wings and Rings Fried Pickle Chips are hand-breaded and fried to golden perfection, served with cool ranch dressing. They’re a crunchy, tangy treat that’s perfect for sharing.

Classic Onion Rings

Round out your snack lineup with our thick-cut, crumb-breaded Classic Onion Rings, a classic on our starter menu. Dunked in Bleu Cheese dip or ranch, just make sure you have enough to go around. 

Main Event

There’s nothing wrong with staples like hot dogs, brats, and simple burgers for a tailgate. But if you want to wow your crowd, consider these tailgate food ideas from Wings and Rings:

Grilled Boneless Wings

For a main dish, our Grilled Boneless Wings are a must-try. Choose from a variety of sauces to customize the flavor for your gathering. You can even order a platter from our Game Day Bundle Party Pack menu for easy serving.

Sweet BBQ Wings

Nothing says tailgate like our Sweet BBQ Wings, drenched in our signature sauce. These wings are perfect for fans of classic BBQ flavors. Grab a 20-wing pack from our party menu or go big with 40-wing, 80-wing, 120-wing, and 200-wing platter from our catering menu to satisfy even the largest tailgating crowd.

BBQ Bacon Burger

Upgrade your standard tailgate burger into something special. The BBQ Bacon Burger from our burger menu is a hearty choice, topped with Sweet BBQ Sauce, smoked bacon, Cheddar Jack cheese, pickles, and an onion ring on a brioche bun.

Bacon Cheeseburger

This one is simply a winner. Go for the classic Bacon Cheeseburger off our burger menu, with smoked bacon and American cheese, served on a brioche bun with all the fixings.

Potato Bar

This one is simply a winner. Go for the classic Bacon Cheeseburger off our burger menu, with smoked bacon and American cheese, served on a brioche bun with all the fixings.

Pro Tip #3: Grill Safely

If you plan to handle the cooking at your tailgate, you’re going to spend a good amount of time behind the grill. Grilling for a crowd can be a different experience than grilling at home, so make sure you follow a few important precautions to keep your tailgate safe. Here’s a quick grilling safety checklist to keep in mind: 

1. Never leave your grill unattended
2. Keep the grill on a flat, stable surface away from any flammable materials 
3. Have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand nearby for emergencies 
4. Use long-handled utensils to avoid burns 
5. Using charcoal? Let coals cool completely before disposing of them 

Tailgate the Wings and Rings Way

With National Tailgating Day right around the corner, not everyone has the time to pull together a full setup. Luckily, you can still get into the tailgating spirit at Wings and Rings! Visit any of our locations to enjoy the game day atmosphere every day.  

At Wings and Rings, you know we have great food, great atmosphere, and great views of all the gameday action. Well, we also have great deals to get the party going this football kickoff season. From September 5th to September 9th, you can get a free starter with your order at Wings and Rings to make your celebration even more special. Find a Wings and Rings near you or order online, and for an amazing start to the football and tailgating season.