The History of Tailgating

Tailgating has become a beloved American tradition, especially around college and professional football games. Its origins can be traced back to the autumn harvest celebrations of Ancient Greece and Rome, where communities gathered to enjoy food, music, and camaraderie in anticipation of winter. 

Ancient Revelry, Modern Rituals

Historically, food gatherings before significant events have been commonplace. The concept of tailgating in the United States began not at a football game, but during the Civil War on July 21, 1861. People from Washington, D.C., packed picnics and traveled to Virginia to attend the First Battle of Bull Run, where vendors sold food to the gathering crowds. Just eight years later, spectators enjoyed snacks while watching the inaugural college football game between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869. 

Champagne and Chariots

 In the 1880s, reports indicated that affluent fans were indulging in champagne and gourmet snacks while attending the Yale-Princeton Thanksgiving game in New York, often from luxurious horse-drawn carriages. As the early 1900s approached, elite colleges such as Princeton, Yale, and Harvard had alumni who could afford automobiles. This shift led to the first pre-game tailgate at the Harvard-Yale game in 1906, coinciding with the rise of car registrations. 

Trunks, Turf, and Team Spirit

 The growth of automobile ownership aligned with the increasing popularity of college football, making it easier for fans to attend games. By the 1920s, universities were constructing larger stadiums to accommodate the expanding fan base, leading to logistical challenges for local restaurants that struggled to serve the crowds. Consequently, fans began hosting "trunk picnics," enjoying meals on blankets in stadium parking lots. 

The Rise of Tailgating

The 1930s saw the emergence of wooden-sided station wagons, which allowed fans to use fold-down tailgates for dining and relaxation, giving rise to the term “tailgating.” Although some credit Yale's sports director, Charley Loftus, with coining the term, its precise origins remain unclear. The mass production of portable grills and coolers in the 1950s marked a shift in tailgating culture, as traditional picnic foods like wine and sandwiches became less common. 

Parking Lot Parties Go Pro

 In the post-World War II era, car ownership surged, doubling from 28 million in 1946 to 56 million by 1957, further embedding tailgating into American culture. During the 1970s, as NFL teams relocated to modern stadiums with expansive parking lots, the practice grew in popularity, particularly as ticket prices for stadium food began to rise. Some teams even promoted parking lot gatherings, providing fans with recipe booklets created by players’ wives as early as 1973. 

From Snacks to Spectacles

In recent times, tailgating has evolved from simply a pre-game snack to a significant social event. For example, before the college football game between Florida and Georgia, celebrations can begin as much as three days in advance. This prompted one columnist to famously refer to it as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” in 1958, highlighting tailgating's importance in American sports culture.