
Which NFL Fans Tailgate the Best?
Tailgating isn’t just a pre-game ritual—it’s a cornerstone of NFL culture, where fans turn parking lots into lively communities filled with food, drinks, and traditions. To see which fan bases do it best, we looked at beer prices, drinking habits, tailgate reviews, parking and ticket costs, and stadium attendance. Factors that show both the size and the spirit of game day.
The result? A ranking of the NFL’s ultimate tailgating fanbases, celebrating the cities that go biggest before kickoff.
Key Insights
- Legacy powers still rule the lot: The top two in our index, the Giants and Packers, show that tradition fuels both attendance and tailgating energy, combining massive stadiums, loyal fan bases, and decades of rituals.
- Value kings: Colts, Jaguars, and Cardinals prove you can throw a top-tier tailgate without overspending, thanks to cheap beer, low parking costs, and big-game energy.
- Hardest partiers: Browns fans outdrink everyone, averaging 7.6 drinks per game, with Giants fans close behind at 7.3 — both proving the lot is the real main event.
- Perfect-attendance crowds: Teams like the Jaguars, Cardinals, and Browns boast 100% home-game attendance, showing that tailgating loyalty runs deep, regardless of the scoreboard.
Top 10 NFL Tailgating Fanbases
Drawing on fan experience data ranging from the average cost of a beer to home-game attendance rates, we ranked every NFL team by its Tailgating Index score. These 10 fan bases aren’t just loyal; they’ve mastered the art of turning pre-game hours into some of the most memorable celebrations in football — from grill smoke drifting through the lot to pre-kickoff chats about the latest lines on NFL sportsbooks.
Let’s take a closer look at the top teams:
1. Giants Fans Throw the Biggest Tailgate in the League
When it comes to tailgating, Giants fans don’t just show up, they take over. Sitting at the very top of our Tailgating Index with a score of 63.35 out of 100, Big Blue leads the league thanks to the perfect mix of size and spirit. For Giants faithful, firing up the grill in Lot L or swapping game predictions over cold beers isn’t optional—it’s tradition.
- Biggest stadium in the NFL: MetLife Stadium seats 82,500, and attendance averages 95%, ensuring the tailgate is packed every Sunday.
- Room for everyone: With 28,800 parking spots, the pre-game scene feels more like a small city than a sports venue.
- Plenty of fuel: Fans average 7.3 drinks per game, keeping the energy buzzing from the first burger flip to the final whistle.
2. Green Bay Fans Know How to Tailgate Without Breaking the Bank
In Green Bay, tailgating feels less like a party and more like a family reunion—just one that happens to take place in sub-zero temperatures. Claiming the #2 spot in our rankings with a score of 61.90, Packers fans combine tradition, value, and legendary camaraderie to create one of the most welcoming lots in football.
- Affordable game-day beers: At just $3.75 a pour, it’s one of the cheapest in the NFL.
- Reasonable parking: $40 secures a prime spot to set up and join the sea of green and gold.
- Most-reviewed tailgate: With the most 4-star reviews on TripAdvisor and Yelp (127 4+tailgating reviews), Lambeau’s lot scene is as legendary as the team itself.
3. Colts Fans Get the Best Bang for Their Buck
In Indianapolis, tailgating is proof that you don’t need deep pockets to have a good time. Landing in third place with a Tailgating Index score of 60.93, Colts fans deliver big-game spirit at a price point that’s almost unheard of in the NFL.
- Cheapest beer in the top 10: Just $2.70 a pour means your wallet stays as full as your cup.
- Lowest parking costs: At $18, you’ll have more cash left for burgers and brats.
- High attendance: Nearly 98% of seats filled each home game ensures the lot is always lively.
4. Jets Fans are Showing Up and Turning Out
After years of frustration, recent roster moves have breathed new life into the New York Jets’ fanbase and their tailgates. Coming in fourth in our rankings with a score of 58.65 Gang Green is packing the lots at MetLife Stadium and bringing back the energy that defined their glory days.
- Big-stage setup: MetLife Stadium seats 82,500, tying the Jets with the Giants for the largest venue in the NFL.
- Strong turnout: Home game attendance sits at 96%, proof that optimism is alive in East Rutherford.
- Growing tailgate scene: 50 tailgate-focused reviews show the pre-game party is on the rise.
5. Jaguars Fans are the Underrated Tailgate MVPs
The Jaguars might not dominate national headlines, but in Jacksonville, their fans are quietly hosting one of the best pre-game parties in football. Ranked fifth overall with a Tailgating Index score of 57.31, Jags supporters bring big energy to every home game, helped by sunshine, affordable prices, and a lot of cold drinks.
- High-volume hospitality: Fans average 7.2 drinks per game, keeping the party going from the first tent stake to kickoff.
- Perfect attendance: A 100% home-game turnout proves Duval County shows up for its team.
- Affordable setup: $2.83 beers, $25 parking, and $48 tickets make it easy to join the lot scene without draining your bank account.
6. Cardinals Fans Turn the Desert Into a Tailgating Oasis
The Arizona Cardinals might not be the first team that comes to mind when you think “tailgating capital,” but the numbers say otherwise. Ranked sixth in our Tailgating Index with a score of 55.42, Cardinals fans make the most of year-round sunshine and wide-open lot space to put on a pre-game show worth the trip.
- Perfect attendance: The Red Sea fills State Farm Stadium to capacity for every home game.
- Room to spread out: With more than 20,000 parking spots, fans can go big with their setups.
- Value in the Valley: With beer at $3.57 and parking at $20, it’s easy to keep the coolers full.
7. Crowd Commitment: Browns Fans Fill Stadiums and Load Coolers Like No Other
In Cleveland, the stands are packed, and the coolers are overflowing, with game days starting long before kickoff and often ending with stories you can’t tell at work on Monday. Earning the #7 spot with a score of 55.29, Browns fans top the league in pure drinking volume and unmatched loyalty. The Muni Lot is their pre-game cathedral, an asphalt playground where anything goes.
- Top drinkers in the league: Browns fans average 7.6 drinks per game, more than any other NFL fan base.
- All-weather warriors: Rain, snow, or freezing wind, Cleveland shows up early and stays late with 100% attendance at home games.
- Muni Lot legends: From RV setups to live bands, the creativity is as strong as the pours—and with the smallest parking capacity in our top 10 (2,200 spots), every inch of asphalt counts.
NFL Tailgates and Fandom
TV ratings tell you who’s watching, but tailgating shows you who’s truly committed. The fans in the parking lot aren’t just spectators; they’re part of the team’s culture, building community before the first snap.
- Why it matters: Tailgating measures time, effort, and passion, not just viewership numbers.
- Teams on the rise: The Jets and Jaguars could climb the rankings if their on-field success continues to fuel parking lot energy.
- Could slip in the rankings: Markets with rising ticket and parking prices may see a dip in turnout, giving value-driven teams like the Colts and Packers an edge.
Tailgating Reveals the Real MVPs
Our data reveals which fan bases lead in terms of size, value, and enthusiasm, but the heart of tailgating is about the people. Parking lots become communities where strangers share food, friends become family, and traditions live on. Giants fans claimed the top spot this year, proving size and spirit can go hand in hand. Yet from massive East Rutherford gatherings to small-town lots, the real MVPs are the fans who turn asphalt into the best seat in the house.
For more on the passion behind fandom, check out our interview with a Canadian NFL superfan.
Methodology
Here’s how we turned tailgating culture into a measurable score:
To find the NFL’s best tailgating fanbases, we built a Tailgating Index Score for all 32 teams using a mix of cost, atmosphere, and attendance data. Each factor was chosen to reflect the real game-day experience:
- Average beer price – based on the cost of a 12oz imported beer in each team’s city.
- Average drinks per game – how much the average fan reports drinking on game day.
- Tailgating reviews – number of 4+ star stadium reviews that mention “tailgate.”
- Stadium capacity & parking capacity – measuring how big the party can get.
- Attendance percentage – showing fan commitment on home game days.
- Average ticket price & parking price – capturing the cost of getting in and setting up.
All data came from reputable sources including Numbeo, Alcohol.org, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Pro Football Reference, Sportscasting, BolaVIP, and official team websites. Scores were calculated by comparing each team’s results across these categories and then combining them into a single index of 100.