“Homegating”: The art of the backyard tailgate September 23 2025

By Elizabeth Ritchie Sherrill

When you can’t make it to the game itself, consider bringing the game to you.

There are few things more fall-festive than the crisp air, smell of great food, and hum of the game on in the background.

To this day, I love the feel of a Friday night football game. Last year, my girls attended a cheerleading camp that was actually a brilliant school fundraiser, where they got to cheer at a high school football game alongside the cheerleaders who coached them. That was the first high school game I had been to in over a decade, and I loved watching them fall in love with the atmosphere of it all, too. Those Friday evenings under the lights just hold onto a youthful, hopeful feeling and make you feel briefly stuck in time in the best way.

I went to a handful of college games, and even a few Panthers games, but nothing beats the comfort of your own home, am I right? (Aside from maybe inviting friends into your home to cheer on the team together.)

Skip the parking and crowds at those big games this season, let’s chat about how to make “homegating” a reality:

Start before kickoff.

Most of the fun happens before the game anyway! Have guests arrive at least an hour before kickoff and enjoy mocktails, yard games, and fun appetizers! Everyone can mingle and chat before the game starts, maybe while playing giant Jenga and firing up the grill. Toss out a few hay bales with quilts and you have the perfect fall atmosphere for a cozy get-together at home. (You can find plenty of cheese straw-inspired bites in our past blog posts if you need some recipe ideas!)

The team is the theme.

Wear your team colors and invite your guests to do the same, encouraging friendly competition! Decorate your home with both teams' colors if you have the fan base, and tie it into the snacks as well. A few well-thought-out details make all the difference!

Schedule a halftime activity.

Let your creativity show. Maybe you host a halftime corn hole competition, or play some adult musical chairs for the best seats in the house! You can even break out the karaoke machine. Take this break to engage, play to your crowd, and of course, refill the snacks!

Snap the photos.

You know you would capture memories at the game, so do it for your guests too! Consider finding team-inspired photo props and a background to bring it up a notch. Use mascots, fall attire, you name it! Add a Polaroid camera, and now you have a great party favor.

Victory is sweet.

When the fourth quarter wraps up, hand out a sweet treat at the send-off. Of course, we recommend working our Britz Spritz Cookies into that mix! They work perfectly as an ice cream or hot cocoa topping, or by themselves as a parting gift for the ride home. Add a ribbon with team colors, and you are the hostess with the mostest!

Happy homegating!