Football and the history of tailgating: How fans turned parking lots into party zones over 100 years ago

For a college student, tailgating is one of the most exciting parts of the weekend in the fall. Ahead of the football games, the parking lot outside the stadium fills up with grills, barbecue, and coolers full of beer in the beds of people’s trucks and in the trunks of their cars while the excitement of the game fills the air. It’s a tradition that’s been around for years in the United States for college games and professional games alike.

Interestingly, tailgating’s roots actually go back much further than you might think and its origins can be traced back to ancient fall harvest festivals in Greece and Rome, where people gathered around food and festivities.

The history of the tailgate

Much like the modern tailgate, the fall harvests in Greece and Rome were characterized by food, drinks, community, and music. In the U.S., its roots include spectators picnicking during Civil War battles, and by the late 1800s, early football fans were enjoying refreshments from horse-drawn carriages before eventually the invention and common use of automobiles.

As car ownership rose in the 20th century, so did the popularity of “trunk picnics” and pre-game meals. The invention of station wagons with tailgates helped solidify the name and practice.

In the post-WWII era, the mass production of portable grills and coolers made tailgating more accessible, and the movement grew even larger with the suburban car boom and NFL stadium relocations to areas with vast parking lots.

By the 1970s, tailgating had become a major cultural phenomenon, sometimes outshining the games themselves – like at the Florida-Georgia rivalry, dubbed “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”

The tradition thrives particularly in football due to its fall timing, college affiliations, and the sport’s deep-rooted fandom.

Football and the history of tailgating: How fans turned parking lots into party zones over 100 years ago

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