5 MINUTE READ
How much can you save on tailgating?
For a tailgate party for 4, anywhere from $136 to $350.
And significantly, saving this much is quite easy.
In the event that you’re thinking, “I just spent 300 bucks on tickets & parking. Give me one good reason to drop another $100 on tailgating!”
To enumerate, here’s three:
- It’s like the world’s biggest block party.
- If you enjoy cookouts, this is like a BBQ on steroids.
- Where else are you going to say, much less play, “Cornhole”?
Indeed, if that’s not enough to convince you, we’ll let some numbers do the talking:
- Over 240 million people in the U.S. tailgate¹.
- 35% of tailgaters never even go inside the stadium².
- The average NFL fan is willing to spend $200 on tailgating².
- Sources: ¹hungryfan.com | ²thesportsdaily.com
In any event, let’s get back to the topic at hand, which is savings.
Tailgaters can be divided into different categories. Thus, what type you are is a major determinant in how much you spend – and save – when it comes to tailgating.
With that in mind…
What type of tailgater are you?
Expressly, the costs for an “ultimate tailgater” will be far less flexible than that of the “partier”. Ultimate tailgaters pull out all the stops, and at their events it’s common to see things like:
- Smokers
- Whole sides of beef or entire pigs
- Large screen TVs with satellite feeds
Partiers, on the other hand, will be serving up hot dogs & burgers on portable charcoal grills.
In essence, this can be viewed as a good news/bad news/good news scenario:
- Good news – A Partier can have just as much fun as an Ultimate Tailgater.
- Bad news – Tailgating can still set you back several hundred bucks.
- Good news – Saving $100 or more is quite doable.
How to save 41%-63% on tailgating
What follows is a tailgating checklist of some basic items, along with a price range and potential savings (in parentheses):
- Costs reflect current prices on sites such as Amazon, Walmart, & Target.
- Your actual costs will vary based on a number of factors, such as location, seller, & personal preference.
- Total expenses are based on an initial purchase of each item. In reality, your costs will be considerably lower because you probably own some of these items.
See how inflation has affected your tailgating expenses.
Tailgating checklist
Flexible cost items:
- Tailgate grill $46-$229$ ($21.50-$204.50) – We’ll use 2 Weber models as the basis for comparison:
- Q1000 (Gas, $229)
- Smokey Joe 14-inch (Charcoal, $46)
Ok, Weber is one of the most popular grills for good reason. But you can save 47-89% by getting the Fire Sense Notebook Grill. At a mere $24.50 (current price on Amazon), it offers superior portability & more grill space (206”) than either of the aforementioned Weber models.
- Tables & chairs $152 ($89) – A 34 inch folding table & 4 camping chairs will cost you $60 & $92, respectively, at Amazon. However, the AHB Folding Table offers attached seating for 4, and still folds into the size of a suitcase, for just $63.
- Cooler $39.59 ($18.43) – A 16-quart Igloo cooler with a 30-can capacity is $39.59 at Amazon. But for a tailgate party of 4, 8-16 cans of beverage should suffice. With this in mind, the Igloo Legend ($21.16 at Amazon) is 47% cheaper. It holds 12 cans, but, if necessary, this clever tailgating hack will allow you to fit in at least 6 more.
- Beer $12-$18 ($0-$5) – A 12-pack of beer typically costs $12-$18 at Target. But depending on where you are and what you’re drinking, you can potentially save a few bucks (hence the $0). Check out these money-saving tips for booze from The Krazy Coupon Lady.
- Food $20-$30 – This covers basic fare such as hot dogs, ground beef, buns, chips & dip.
- Cornhole game set $30-$56.37 ($7-$33.38) – Instead of a cornhole for $30, or this “premium” one for $56.37, go for this LED light, collapsible game set for $23.
- Cons: Comes with one board instead of two and requires batteries.
- Pros: You can play after dark, and it’s 23-59% cheaper.
- Charcoal $7-$11 – Brands such as Kingsford MatchLight are a bit more expensive.
Static priced items:
- Ice $2.50
- Cups $9
- Paper towels $3
- Trash bags $2
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer $5
Total estimated cost: $328.09-$557.47
Total estimated savings: $135.93-$350.31 (41-63%)
Don’t forget – tailgating requires a parking spot!
Alas, there’s more bad news:
None of the expenses above include the cost of parking, and you can’t tailgate without a parking spot.
Moreover, the average cost of a game day parking pass is over $200. But once again, there are ways to save more than 50%. Read How Much Can You Save On NFL Parking?
Conclusion
- Tailgating is extremely popular amongst Americans in general, and NFL fans in particular.
- The average tailgate party for 4 can cost you $328 to $557, which does not include the cost of parking. Expenses will vary depending on what type of tailgater you are.
- You can save anywhere from $136 to $350, and it’s easier than you think.
- Successful tailgating starts with proper planning and knowing your limits. Beyond that, here are some resources that will help take your event to another level:
- You can also learn from other people’s mistakes: