Tips for an Epic Tar Heel Tailgate

Are you ready for some football? The Tar Heels have taken to the gridiron for the 2022 season, which means hard-hitting action on the field and fun with family and friends in the parking lot. Tailgating is as important to gameday as the game itself. Are you ready to take your Tar Heel tailgate over the top? Plan the ultimate pregame party outside Kenan Stadium with these tips.

Parking Spot

One of the most important details of hosting a tailgate is making sure you actually have a place to tailgate. There are several great parking lots around Kenan Stadium including Stadium Drive Lot, Rams Head Deck, Bell Tower Lot, Morrison Lot and the Public Safety Lot. These lots are within walking distance from the stadium and UNC’s pregame festival, Tar Heel Town. Check the reservation process for these lots at the UNC parking website. If you’re not interested in paying for a lot, there are multiple free lots around town that Chapel Hill Transit services to and from the stadium. Wherever you decide to set up, be sure to communicate the location to your guests ahead of time and consider using flags or balloons to help them find your vehicle.

Food

The surefire way to put smiles on your guests’ faces is to put food in their bellies. Bring a portable grill to prepare food fresh and hot. A grill is not only practical for serving favorites like burgers and dogs, it’s also versatile and can be used to heat up soup or chili for games later in the season. To round out your main course coming off the grill, ask guests to bring a potluck dish. Coordinate amongst your guests who is bringing what to get a better variety of appetizers, sides and desserts. And be sure to remember the heavy-duty disposable plates, silverware and napkins so everyone can enjoy your spread.

Music

Turn up the jams and dance through the countdown to kick off with some awesome tunes your whole group loves. Country, pop, classic rock and hip-hop are great genre choices for tailgating and you can’t go wrong putting together a list of hits within those categories. Poll your guests to see what they’re into or browse Spotify or Apple Music for some great pre-made tailgate playlists. If you’re bringing your own speakers, make sure they have their own batteries or pack a portable power station.

Games

Dial up the fun at your tailgate with games for both kids and adults. Cornhole is a classic that’s great for all ages, while the over-21 crowd may enjoy a few lively rounds of beer pong. If you’re ready for a new challenge, Kan Jam is an intense game where you and a partner try to toss a frisbee past two defenders into the goal without letting it hit the ground. You can even buy a Tar Heel-themed Kan Jam set. In Ladder Toss you are competing against a partner to see who can toss their rope to the highest point on the ladder. Spikeball is a game where you and an opponent bounce a ball back and forth to each other on a trampoline – and if you don’t get the ball back to the trampoline, your opponent gets a point.

Turn It Blue

After you’ve got those basic elements to a great tailgate together, what’ll make your tailgate really stand out amongst the Tar Heel faithful? Dressing your parking lot party up in Carolina Blue décor is a great way to get your crew in the spirit for the game and catch the eye of fellow fans. A creative tailgate display can include a UNC tent, flags and/or a lavishly decorated car. Pick up a decorative tablecloth, streamers, signs and even tableware at the local Party City or one of the many Franklin Street fan shops like Shrunken Head Boutique or Alumni Hall.

Concierge Service

If you’ve got an extra-large tailgate in the works, or you want to bring a bit of luxury to the lot, there are a couple concierge options brought to you by RevelXP. A tailgate concierge will take care of finding you a spot, delivering all your gear, provide you with speakers and TVs, and even deliver catered food to you. If you want to experience “turnkey tailgating” and not lift a finger, check out RevelXP.

When we think of fall, we think of football, but there are plenty of other sports happening too. The great thing about living in Chapel Hill is that UNC has so many championship sports programs that are all worth seeing. Football may have all the pomp and circumstance, but a great tailgate pregame can enhance the excitement and comradery before a soccer or field hockey game too. No matter what you’re watching, follow this guide and your next tailgate will have everyone in the right mood to cheer on our hometown team. Go Heels!