Tailgating Fun, Money & Safety Tips

Tailgating Fun, Money & Safety Tips

There are an estimated 50 million tailgaters in the USA who spend up to $12 billion a year on this very popular activity!  At the NFL (National Football League) level, tailgaters spend an average of $196 per game just on food, beverages, and supplies, not including the ever-increasing game ticket cost.

Something happened in New York Sports last Sunday that hasn’t occurred on the same day since 2009!  All four New York City pro sports teams won their games.  I can still remember the front page of the Monday N.Y. Post “Fantastic 4.  Judge blasts 58th, 59th homer, Giants’ best start since 2016, Mets sweep Pirates and Jets’ miracle comeback.”

In addition, the New York Jets did something no NFL team has done in over 2 decades!  They are the first team in the last 21 years to overcome a 13-point deficit with less than 2 minutes remaining to win a game

New Yorkers sure take their pro sports seriously!  I was at the tailgate for the New York Jets’ opening day loss to the Baltimore Ravens (there was a misty rain from 10am throughout the game) and I’m sure the Giants’ opening day victory tailgate was outstanding as well.

Professional Football games are expensive to attend.  The Jets raised game-day tickets this year by 3%, for the first time since 2016.  Parking passes also were increased to between $50-$70 per car, and there are different level access parking passes one can purchase.

There is a resale market on parking and for the old-school, there are no more paper game day tickets, although the Jets allow pre-printing the barcode for parking pass scanning into designated parking areas. 

Directly from the www.NewYorkJets.com website, “MetLife stadium is operating cash free at ALL concessions and retail stations.  You must pay by debit or with a credit card using a contactless tap to pay, mobile wallet chip, or swipe.  The New York Jets prefer Visa as a form of payment.  Reverse ATM machines will be available throughout MetLife stadium for guests to convert cash to a pre-paid Visa debit card.  The Visa card has no expiration date and can be used anywhere a Visa debit card is accepted.”

The ”carry-in policy” directly from the www.MetLifeStadium.com website allows:

  1. Clear bags that are 12” X 6” X 12” in size or less, 1 bag per person
  2. Food of any kind that is contained in the plastic bag
  3. Small purses/handbags (clutch type) that are 4.5” X 6.5” or less (1 PP)
  4. A factory-sealed plastic bottle of water or soft drinks that are 20 ounces or less in size (caps will be removed by Safety Service Team members
  5. Reusable water bottles (both plastic and aluminum) bottles must be empty upon entry

Follow these tips to ensure a safe and fun tailgate experience:

  1. Time it right: Try to arrive at least 2-3 hours before kickoff to get the optimum parking space.  If you are not tailgating postgame, pack up 30 minutes before kickoff.
  2. Invest in real estate: Seek out spaces (or send somebody else to go early and scout spots) by the grass, the edge of the parking lot, and close to the bathrooms.  Fewer neighbors mean fewer issues!
  3. Be a tool: Fill a toolbox with your favorite grilling essentials, utensils, zip lock bags, bottle openers, etc. 
  4. Rethink your drink: I suggest multi-colored cups to identify which is your cup.  Also, use cups with straws (preferably paper) to protect from insects.
  5. Reduce, reuse, recycle:  Cardboard drink carriers make good snack holders.  Less is more and makes cleanups easier.
  6. Koozie up:  Always keep between 5-10 koozies in your car for guests.  Koozies are can holders to keep your favorite beers, white claws, and soft drinks cold instead of your hands freezing. 
  7. Freeze it: Putting your water in the freezer the night before equals a giant ice cube which comes in very handy on game day.  Bottles of water inside cost anywhere $5-$12, so you may want to enter the stadium fully hydrated. 
  8. Dress in layers:  There can be huge temperature swings this time of year, especially at 4pm games when the sun sets during the game.
  9. Keep a duffle bag in your trunk:  Keep extra clothes, rain ponchos, hats, flashlights, batteries, bungee cords, and a fire extinguisher can in your trunk.
  10. Dump coals in specified bins:  Almost all stadia have specified bins for dumping hot coals.  Leaving smoldering coals is hazardous to you and your fellow tailgaters!

I read an interesting blog last Monday from a woman who called herself a “Football Widow!”  She explained that her husband is not a sports fan, he ONLY likes NFL pro football.  In the beginning she didn’t like it when he was unavailable most Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights.  Now she has learned to embrace it and schedules her events and watches TV during these weekly events, which her husband would NOT be interested in, so she now CHERISHES football season!

Whether or not you are an NFL football fanatic, football widow or widower, let’s all enjoy this fall and the NFL season!!