RV Tailgating 101: Tips for the Ultimate Game Day Setup

August 4, 2025 |

Category: RV Lifestyle

Summer is coming to a close, with fall right around the corner. For most of the nation, folks will be trading their tank tops and shorts for cardigans and shoes. It also signals the return of crock pots, stews, soups, and, of course, RV tailgating!

Welcome the return of fall by gathering good food, good friends, good football games, and a good gathering spot for the ol’ RV. Not sure what a good tailgate party consists of? Perhaps you are wondering if a special permit is required at public parking lots at local stadiums. Curious about how to power all the necessary appliances? Do you want a public tailgate party or only have a private event with invited guests? Rest assured, this article will address these questions and will provide all the insights needed to put together a perfect tailgate party. Who knows, your guests might even give you the title of ‘Grand Tailgater.’ Here’s to the kick-off of the grand fall season!

Prep Time

As is the process with any planned activity, being prepped and ready is always the first step. Creating a list of must-have appliances and understanding how to accommodate the proper power sources for these appliances, ensuring you have selected an optimal location, and being aware of the rules for tailgating in the selected space are all essential parts of the prep work.

Be sure to look online or call the stadium to make sure RVs are allowed in the parking lot, and inquire about the parking fees. Don’t be surprised if the cost to park is more than it is for a regular-sized vehicle. Also, because of the size of your RV, it’s a good idea to plan on arriving early. Since your rig will need to occupy a few spots, arriving before many others will allow an easy setup before game time. Relax in your home away from home during any downtime.

Before the day of the tailgate party, be sure you’ve checked these items off your to-do list:

Know how many guests can attend your tailgate party and have an idea of how many you want to invite, or how many you want to host.
Map out the menu, listing out all the needed ingredients for meals. In addition to covering the number of expected mouths to feed, always plan on stragglers who can’t resist the scrumptious smells wafting from the grill.
Check the RV’s kitchen area to see what utensils, mixing bowls, etc., are needed
Understand rules pertaining to music volume, alcohol consumption, and electrical plug-in policies
Inquire about all rules and regulations for RV tailgating at the specific stadium. Each location will likely differ in this information.
Check maps of the tailgating RV area. Since these areas usually don’t provide much space, you will want to ensure where you park allows adequate room for spacers and canopies to be extended. Avoiding issues with tailgating neighbors is always key.
Also, check the map to find the optimum parking location. Avoiding areas near the trash cans or port-a-potties is important. This will help keep those who are just passing by from crashing the party. This is especially important if you are hosting a by-invitation-only tailgate party.
Know how much space you can obtain, as that will help plan an accurate layout for tables, chairs, etc.
Organize the interior and exterior of the RV. Get the tongs, paper towels, aluminum foil, and other necessary tools laid out in a work-friendly manner. Having everything that you will need in its proper spot prior to the start of the tailgate party will help ensure a smooth afternoon.

rv tailgating — *Don’t forget those games like cornhole or ladder toss!*

All Tailgate Parties Need These

So, what are some of the items considered ‘must-haves’ for pulling off a perfect tailgating party?

Lawn chairs- make the space inviting by having plenty of seating available. Be as casual or as fancy as you’d like. A few options, based on storage space and space at the party location, include swivel stools, camping rocking chairs, and/or canopy-covered camping/outdoor chairs.
Tables- whether used for cooking, a prep station, or for serving, have a few flat surfaces, such as foldable tables, are must-haves. This will not only make cooking and serving food easier, but it will provide another reason you should gain the title of ‘Grand Tailgater.’
Don’t forget the tablecloth; preferably in your team colors, if possible.
Yard Games- a tailgate party isn’t complete without the traditional yard games. These can include games such as the highly sought-after Cornhole or the popular beer pong setup. The Giant Jenga blocks are another fun game to include. Don’t forget the card players, consider a card table for those looking for some poker tournaments throughout the game.
Team Spirit-to support your team, or to alert your guests as to your location, label those windows with window paint, slap on a team logo vehicle magnet, or display team colors with balloon bouquets.
Housekeeping items- supply a large outdoor lined trash can for the convenience of your guests. This will also make clean-up a bit easier at the end of the tailgate party.
Depending on the location, don’t forget the bug spray.
Be sure the RV bathroom is fully stocked.
Coolers, filled with ice, one for cold drinks and the other for food storage

Stadium regulations and rules for RV Tailgate Parties

Once you know the procedures and policies of the location you want to set up at, you can start to prepare a menu. Be sure to understand whether you can:

grill over open flames
use propane gas or charcoal to cook
have access to electrical hookups
use a generator
have open fires

The last thing your tailgate party needs is a ticket or an order to shut down completely for violating the stadium’s rules.

*Make sure you check stadium or campus regulations about grilling, gas, generators and more.*

Everyone Welcome, or ‘Ticket, please?’

While the entire premise of the tailgate party is to mingle with other fans, and to meet new people. That’s why most of the participants who set up shop in the stadium’s parking lot expect strangers to wander over, and then see them leaving as friends. The fun of the event is to meet other fans of your favorite team.

But, this doesn’t have to be your setup. If you aren’t as open to sharing food with strangers, even if they do cheer for the same football team, having a private, invite-only party at the stadium parking lot isn’t again the rules. Just keep in mind that many of the fans attending might ‘follow their nose’ and meander by.

What Tailgaters Want to See on Plates

A bit of food prep work will ensure smooth grocery shopping outings as well as a smooth cooking event on the day of the tailgate party. One trick when planning a menu is to rely heavily on traditional campfire or camping foods.

Sure, hamburgers go hand-in-hand with sporting events, camping, and tailgating. To offer up something different, but just as guest-friendly, consider other items such as Frito Chili Pies, loaded nachos, pasta salad or potato salad, a crockpot full of chili, or even some fancy lobster mac and cheese for a fancy flair.

Last Minute Tips

Now that you know what you will need and how you will activate the ‘grand tailgating party,’ keep these final tips in mind.

Ensure the interior of the RV is tidy, in case the party gets moved indoors.
Secure any valuables
Plan on having more food and drink on hand than you have guests for. Stragglers are likely to show up, and you don’t want to be empty-handed when they do.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the must-have items for RV tailgating?

Must-have items for a well-rounded RV tailgate party include plenty of food for the number of people you expect to serve, along with about 10 more. Along with main menu items such as hamburgers, Frito pies, and hot dogs, ensure there are plenty of chips and drinks on hand. Tables and chairs should be on hand, along with yard games and coolers for food and drinks. A fully stocked bathroom should be available to ensure the comfort of your guests.

Do you need special permits to tailgate in an RV?

This will vary from stadium to stadium, so the best thing to do before making any plans is to reach out to the stadium. Ask if they allow RVs, and inquire about any size limitations they might have, along with reservation opportunities. If reservations are taken, be sure to set yours as soon as possible, as it is likely the spaces will become reserved quickly.

How do I power appliances and TVs for RV tailgating?

Depending on the rules and regulations of the stadium parking lot you are setting up camp at, some good options for powering TVs and kitchen appliances include:

Generators: options here include a variety of models and running sources. A gas generator, a dual-fuel generator, an inverter generator, or a weather-permitting solar generator are options.

Portable Power Stations: These products are good for a few different reasons. First, they are silent and are an emission-free alternative to generators. Compact and lightweight, these can be charged with solar panels, AC outlets, or even car chargers. The downside is that they have a power outlet that doesn’t compare to larger generators. This fact will cause the power station to take several hours to recharge, ensuring the game will be over before the charging is.

Power Inverter and RV battery: This option is convenient in many ways, but is literally ‘draining’ to your battery. If this method is chosen, your RV battery system will be used to power the inverter. This switches the battery’s DC power to AC power, which is what will give juice to your TV and appliances.

Always be sure to make sure your chosen power source doesn’t violate the stadium’s regulations. While unlikely, a few stadiums might accidentally have hookups for an RV, but again, this will be very rare. Plus, if it’s first-come, first-served, betting out all the other RVers on game day will be a challenge.