With all 32 NFL teams in training camp, it’s time to start thinking of your own game plan for the upcoming season, when tailgating once again becomes a pregame ritual at stadiums throughout the country. So, will you be ready for all the excitement when Sunday and Monday and Thursday night roll around? Check out the gear that’s kickoff more than a few flames. It may just make you the envy of the neighborhood. Don’t believe us? Check out the top-five things you need to put the “ta-dah” in tailgate:
1. Coleman® Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler
Yep. It’s all about where you can take a load off. Barbecuing is hard, sweaty work, so you need a place to take a breather. This Coleman camping chair is both cozy and breathable, with a built-in, four-can cooler pouch to keep your drinks well-chilled and accessible. Its fully-cushioned seat and back provide support and comfort. And, it’s a cinch to fold up, making it the perfect chair to keep in your trunk for impromptu summer bashes. It retails for about $30.
2. Blackstone Signature Griddle Accessories – Five-Piece Professional Grade Grill Griddle BBQ Tool Kit
No one wants to see a tired, torn spatula you “scored” from the discount store. Nope. For both the bona fide foodies and those with more, say, pedestrian tastes, grilled “eats” just taste better with fancier accessories, amiright? This five-piece BBQ tool kit has everything you need to cook up a parking-lot feast — two oversized, professional-grade restaurant-style stainless steel spatulas (perfect for flipping burgers and veggies), one stainless steel chopper/scraper to dice food and scrape griddles clean (nobody likes a nasty, food-strewn grill), two leak-free, fine-tip bottles for condiments and liquids (like oil or vinegar). All pieces are dishwasher safe, so feel free to crash after your burger-induced food coma and leave the washing to the machines in your life. This set costs just around $20.
3. ORCA 40-Quart Cooler
Coolers and tailgating go hand in hand. And where would you be without a mega cooler stuffed with soda, sparkling waters, and maybe a few beers? Ok, more than a few. You’ll need a 40-quart cooler to haul your bevy of beverages, so check out the ORCA — it’s super roomy and has flex-grip handles for comfortable carrying. Oh, and you’ll love its integrated insulation mechanism for maximum cold retention, which means your stuff stays chilly for up to 10 days. Yowza. Party on, folks. Retails for about $288.
4. Brookstone Big Blue Party Indoor-Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
What’s a pregame party without tunes? Nothing, nada, zippo. Get yourself a Brookstone Indoor-Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker. It’s got four, full-range speaker drivers that deliver a whopping 360-degree surround sound. It connects wirelessly to Bluetooth devices up to 33 feet away, has a rechargeable battery that lasts more than 4.5 hours per charge, and it’s a snap to carry. So, carry on with your fave songs — and let the jamming commence. Get yours for about $167.
5. Eurow Tail Gator Sunshade Portable Shade Canopy
Tailgating without an awning is just asking for a wicked sunburn. Do not attempt to BBQ sans protection. Just don’t. A portable awning doesn’t just give you shade, it also adds sweet sophistication to the grilling experience. This Eurow Tail Gator Sunshade Portable Shade Canopy protects from the elements (including those freak summer showers), uses a protected magnetic strip to attach to the car, and is made from sturdy fiberglass, which means it’s one tough cover. You can attach it to your car on the back, the side, or front. And it’s roomy enough to cover table, chairs and kids. It retails for about $130. So, before you dish up the grub, fork over some dough for the stuff that puts a little extra cheer in your football festivities.