Which NFL Fans Tailgate the Best?

#10: Green Bay Packers

• • Stadium: Lambeau Field
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 12-18

Famous for their cheese-head hats, blisteringly cold weather, and a diehard fanbase, Green Bay comes in tenth on our list with an index score of 45.19/100. The Wisconsin natives have a considerable 36% of their fanbase that participates in the pregame, with cheap parking and beers to boot. But the average ticket to a Packers game comes in at $252.88, the most expensive on our top-ten list. If you enjoy the picturesque winter views, plan your trip for late in the season.

• Affordable parking and beer: With $25 parking and $4 beers, tailgating at Lambeau is accessible to most fans.

• Small but committed pre-game crowd: With only 36% of fans who tailgate, their crowd may not be the biggest, but is one of the most passionate.

• Expensive tickets: Those passionate fans are willing to pay top dollar to support one of just three professional Wisconsin teams, by paying the fifth-highest average ticket price in the league.

#9: Atlanta Falcons

• • Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Week 16

Known for their Southern soul food and lemon pepper wet wings, you’ll probably find these local delicacies being served long before kickoff, among the 62% of Falcons fans who tailgate before their team plays. Atlanta’s tailgating culture ranks ninth with an index score of 45.54/100. With $30 parking and tickets averaging under $90, there’s plenty left over for some quality food and drink beforehand. College football fans should plan to visit in Week 16 when the Falcons host the Bucs, and stick around for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

• Big crowd = big pregame: Mercedes-Benz Stadium holds over 71,000 fans, and 69% of those drink or pregame on game days.

• Affordable tickets: At just an $82 average, Atlanta is fifth among the top ten teams in ticket affordability.

• The party speaks for itself: Even with minimal reviews on TripAdvisor, Falcons tailgates are still worth attending. If you know. You know.

#8: Carolina Panthers

• • Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 1-7

The Panthers may not have the largest tailgating culture with only 51% participating, but those who do, go hard. There are 15.4% of Carolina pregamers who consider themselves heavy drinkers, helping to rank the Panthers eighth with an index score of 50.88/100. For a perfect mix of moderate temperatures and fall views, consider your next Panthers tailgate from September through October. And with ticket prices tied for the lowest among any team inside the top-ten, you may even have some cash leftover to extend your stay and take a drive down the coast.

• Tickets are a bargain: At just $55, no team inside the top-ten or across the entire league averages lower ticket costs (tied with Arizona).

• Cheap beer: It’s no wonder Carolina’s rate of heavy drinkers is high, when the average cost of a beer at a tailgate is just $4.

• And cheap parking: Add in $35 parking to go with affordable ticket prices and a Panthers’ tailgate may be one of the most cost-effective outings to attend this year.

#7: New York Giants

• • Stadium: MetLife Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 1-4

Passionate tailgaters arrive as early as five hours before kick-off in New York, filling up local parking lots with portable grills and elaborate multi-course homemade spreads, Giants’ tailgates are some of the most highly-reviewed pregames on the internet, leading them to a seventh-place ranking on our list and an index score of 51.20/100. Even higher-priced parking and beers can’t keep Giants fans down as they ramp up with one of the biggest crowds at MetLife. To avoid the harsh winters, we recommend joining in on the fun earlier in the season.

• More fans, bigger pregame: With the highest capacity stadium in the league, 82,500 fans descend upon MetLife during the season to cheer on the Giants.

• Rate and review: No team inside the top-ten and only the Chiefs across the entire league, have received more four-star reviews for their tailgating atmosphere than the Giants.

• Worth the money: Not even $6 beers and $50 parking, both among the highest in the top-ten, can keep Giants pregamers away.

#6: Jacksonville Jaguars

• • Stadium: EverBank Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 13-18

Jacksonville may not have a long history or one of the biggest fanbases. In fact, their 62,000 seat stadium is one of the smallest on our list. However, Jags fans consistently find a way to “over” pack it, with an average attendance over 100%. These diehard Jacksonville fans have pushed the Jags to sixth on our list with an index score of 51.67/100. With fair prices for tickets, beer, and parking, attending a Jags tailgate when the temperature drops below freezing later in the season, could be your perfect, and affordable next getaway.

• Standing room only: EverBank Stadium regularly averages well over capacity crowds at 103.9%.

• Cheapest beer in town: From top-to-bottom, of all 32 NFL teams, there’s no cheaper location for beer than at Jags’ games, with average prices coming in at $3.50.

• Low-costs all-around: Few teams offer cheaper average ticket prices of $66, and no team offers cheaper parking than the $20 at EverBank Stadium.

#5: Indianapolis Colts

• • Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 13-18

Much like their AFC South compatriots, the Colts offer an incredibly affordable tailgating experience for those who show up early to pregame at Lucas Oil Stadium. Low prices and a beautiful indoor stadium, helped the Colts achieve a fifth-place ranking with an index score of 52.31/100. The Colts aren’t known for the biggest or wildest of pre-game affairs, but live bands, plus family and budget-friendly activities make them must-attend events for those who want to show up early. Lucas Oil Stadium is an indoor field with a retractable roof, meaning attending a game is always the perfect temperature, especially in winter months.

• Budget-friendly: Parking costs just $20, and beers average $3.50, both tied for the lowest figures in our list.

• Best price in town: With the third-lowest average ticket price in the entire NFL at $64, attending a Colts’ game is affordable and helps to bring out over 98% capacity crowds.

• Bigger isn’t always better: Despite only 43% of Colts fans partaking in tailgates, and just 7% ranking as heavy drinkers, the overall social atmosphere among fans still earns top marks.

#4: Arizona Cardinals

• • Stadium: State Farm Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 8-18

Low average ticket costs, a packed house, good reviews, and cheap beer have powered the Cardinals to fourth on our list with an index score of 54.81/100. The Cardinals boast the highest percentage of fans across the entire league who rank as heavy drinkers, and when you’re saving on basically all stadium amenities, there’s a few extra dollars to have a good time tailgating. Escaping the winter months, while avoiding warm falls, makes visiting State Farm Stadium anytime between Weeks 8-18 a perfect time. And if you happen to be visiting near Christmas, check out the Westgate Holiday Winter Fest & Tree Lightning in the plaza next door for holiday lights, skating, and other entertainment.

• Affordable amenities: Across the board, the Cardinals rank among the most affordable in ticket prices at $55 and parking at $25.

• Cheap beer: Add in $4 average beer prices and it’s no wonder that a league-high 18.5% of tailgaters classify as heavy drinkers.

• 4-star reviews: Few teams consistently receive more 4 or 5 star reviews (23) on TripAdvisor than Arizona when it comes to pregame tailgating.

#3: Dallas Cowboys

• • Stadium: AT&T Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 1-8

Buckle up for one of the largest game-day atmospheres at a Dallas Cowboys tailgating event where you can get your fill of Texas brisket and frozen margaritas. Jerry’s World (AT&T Stadium) holds 80,000 people, and still regularly blows well over capacity at 116.2%. That helps Dallas pregames to rank third with an index score of 56.13/10, despite being one of the most expensive tickets in town. Preseason temperatures in Dallas may suffer from extreme heat, but fall months provide a moderate climate for outdoor pregaming, alongside the comfort of an indoor field at AT&T. Time your trip from September 25 to October 18, and you can also take in the famous State Fair of Texas.

• Seats aren’t cheap: At an average cost of $196, Cowboys tickets are the second-most expensive on our list and the eighth-highest in the league.

• Parking is steep: We recommend taking public transit to a Cowboys tailgating event, as parking will set you back $65.

• Affordable beer and strong reviews: However, beer prices come in at respectable $4.50 and the whole experience regularly receives positive 4+ star reviews.

#2: Buffalo Bills

• • Stadium: Highmark Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 12-18

Bills Mafia ranks among the highest for the percentage of fans who both pregame and drink heavily. Only three teams have received more 4-star or higher reviews for their tailgating experience than the Bills, vaulting them to second overall with an index score of 57.29/100. Bills’ gamedays soar over capacity and affordable beers sometimes lead to some crazy stunts, like body-slams through plastic tables. The best time to visit the new Highmark Stadium depends on your weather preference. For a more moderate climate enjoy Weeks 1-4 in the fall. For the full Bills’ game-day experience though, Weeks 12-18 will bring swirling winds, freezing temperatures and maybe a volunteer role digging out the snow.

• Save on parking, spend it on beer: Parking at Highmark comes in about mid-range at NFL stadiums at $40. We suggest leaving your car at home and enjoying the more budget-friendly $4 beer.

• Sold out: Despite an above average ticket price of $147, Bills games are always sold out and in fact regularly exceed capacity at 114.3%.

• The tailgate is the party: A whopping 59% of attendees pregame at Bills games and of those, 15.9% are heavy drinkers; both among the most in our list.

#1: Houston Texans

• • Stadium: NRG Stadium
  • Best Time to Tailgate: Weeks 11-18

Slow-smoked briskets, ribs, smoked chicken, and sizzling fajitas showcase the most highly attended NFL tailgates in the league. Texans’ pregames boast nearly a 70% attendance rate which has powered them to a number one overall rank in our list of the best tailgating fanbases in the NFL. Affordable tickets, parking, and beers all help to contribute to their top spot and an index score of 58.24/100. While NRG Stadium offers a controlled climate with a retractable roof, early season games can still feature scorching temperatures for parking lot parties. Attend later in the year for a more enjoyable experience and if you visit in December, enjoy downtown Houston’s holiday kickoff event, the Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular.

• The biggest party in town: Texans’ tailgate attendances average 67%, a full 5% more than the second-ranked team in that category, the Atlanta Falcons. League-wide, only the Chargers at 69% average higher.

• AFC South pricing: Like the other teams within their division on this list, Texans’ tailgates are among the most affordable in the NFL when you factor in $64 tickets, $35 parking, and $4 beers.

• Hard ticket to come by: Even with one of the larger stadiums in the league that holds 72,220 fans, tickets are generally sold out with a 98.1% average home attendance.

Methodology: How We Ranked The Best Tailgating Fanbases

Wondering how we came up with our tailgating scores?

To find the NFL’s best tailgating fanbases, we built a Tailgating Index Score for all 32 teams. Our index combines cost of tickets and stadium amenities, attendance at games and tailgates, and fan atmosphere and reviews. We chose each factor to fairly 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 – factoring the cost of getting in and setting up a tailgate.

All data came from reputable sources including Numbeo, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Pro Football Reference, Sportscasting, BolaVIP, Google Trends, 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.