Tailgaiting Tips

Shadowless

So myself and 2 mates are heading to Texas/New Orleans during October and we've picked up tickets for the Packers Texans game on the 14th.
We'll have a rental car while we're over there and the game doesn't start til 7:20 so we figured we'd arrive early and soak up the atmosphere.

Unfortunately my live football experience is limited to a ravens-skins preseason game several years ago (where i got lost and arrived well into the 2nd quarter!) and the Notre Dame - Navy game last weekend so I really don't know what to expect.

From looking online it seems like we have to buy a parking pass beforehand?
Anyone know if you can leave the car in the car park after the game and collect the next morning or will we need a designated driver?
Obviously coolers with Beer/Food/Sunscreen essential, a few chairs I guess?
Anything else I'm missing?

Finally is tailgaiting very much a season-ticket holder/see the same people all the time/family oriented thing?
Don't want to go to all the hassle if we'd have more craic just grabbing a cab to the game with a few pints in a bar beforehand.

Any help appreciated, thanks!!

CoachTO

Shadowless wrote: »

So myself and 2 mates are heading to Texas/New Orleans during October and we've picked up tickets for the Packers Texans game on the 14th.
We'll have a rental car while we're over there and the game doesn't start til 7:20 so we figured we'd arrive early and soak up the atmosphere.

Unfortunately my live football experience is limited to a ravens-skins preseason game several years ago (where i got lost and arrived well into the 2nd quarter!) and the Notre Dame - Navy game last weekend so I really don't know what to expect.

From looking online it seems like we have to buy a parking pass beforehand?
Anyone know if you can leave the car in the car park after the game and collect the next morning or will we need a designated driver?
Obviously coolers with Beer/Food/Sunscreen essential, a few chairs I guess?
Anything else I'm missing?

Finally is tailgaiting very much a season-ticket holder/see the same people all the time/family oriented thing?
Don't want to go to all the hassle if we'd have more craic just grabbing a cab to the game with a few pints in a bar beforehand.

Any help appreciated, thanks!!

I will start with the car and leaving it behind. Probably not. Any tailgating I have done the cops and stewards make sure every car is gone afterwards or they will get it towed.

As for what to bring. Cooler, Beer, a grill and you can pick up a mini one for $30 in walmarts and the like. Nothing says authentic like grilling your own food. Defo with the chairs. A football.

Tailgating is open to all. All the times I go we meet random folk and have a laugh with them. Usually the cars around you, you can have the craic with. Especially being Paddys you will have broken the ice right away with your accents.

On the parking pass. Most stadiums have their own parking and you require a pass for that parking. But most stadiums have unofficial parking lots around them that dont belong to the stadium that you can pay on arrival and have the same laugh in. I would check up on the Texans forums and see what they say. You never know posting there might get you some drinking buddies also for the game.

Have a blast dude whatever you do.

Trippie

Shadowless wrote: »

So myself and 2 mates are heading to Texas/New Orleans during October and we've picked up tickets for the Packers Texans game on the 14th.
We'll have a rental car while we're over there and the game doesn't start til 7:20 so we figured we'd arrive early and soak up the atmosphere.

Unfortunately my live football experience is limited to a ravens-skins preseason game several years ago (where i got lost and arrived well into the 2nd quarter!) and the Notre Dame - Navy game last weekend so I really don't know what to expect.

From looking online it seems like we have to buy a parking pass beforehand?
Anyone know if you can leave the car in the car park after the game and collect the next morning or will we need a designated driver?
Obviously coolers with Beer/Food/Sunscreen essential, a few chairs I guess?
Anything else I'm missing?

Finally is tailgaiting very much a season-ticket holder/see the same people all the time/family oriented thing?
Don't want to go to all the hassle if we'd have more craic just grabbing a cab to the game with a few pints in a bar beforehand.

Any help appreciated, thanks!!

I live in dallas so if you want to go to any highschool/college/cowboys games while here let me know and we can try arrange something

TexAg

Sorry in advance for bumping an old thread. I signed up just to respond to Shadowless.

I'm a Texan who loves Ireland and "American" Football so naturally I would end up here eventually.

Anyway Shadowless, if you happen to get this while you're still in the Houston area, hit me up.

I will be going tailgating at the Texas A&M vs LSU game this weekend (Oct. 20). The gameday experience at A&M is something to behold on any gameday but this game in particular is going to be an epic event.

Give me a shout if you and your mates would like to come with.

Regardless, let us know how your trip was. It's always fun to hear about someone's experience with football who's not from the States.

-Ben

jack presley

Another tip is to try and get in touch via message boards for open tailgate parties everyone's invited and welcome.

I was at the Redskins/Vikings game on Sunday and via a fan site found a bunch of lads that have a tailgate at every game and invite anyone to come along. Just bring some supplies and make a small donation into the jar and join in the fun. I was made very welcome and they were all interested in an Irishman travelling over to see a game etc. and I had a great time. I'd also drank enough by the time I went into the stadium which meant I didn't have to buy any $9 beers!