Is your college in the top 10 for those essential football tailgate parties? Find out which US colleges are the most popular for tailgating celebrations.
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Most Popular Colleges for Tailgate Parties
Tailgating is more than just a pre-game ritual – it’s a time-honored tradition that has become an integral part of the football experience, especially in the NFL and at college games across the United States.
But this unique cultural phenomenon goes beyond merely preparing for the game, it’s also about building community, celebrating team spirit, and creating lifelong memories.
Why are tailgate parties so important?
At its core, tailgating embodies the communal aspects of football. Fans gather in parking lots and fields hours before kickoff, sharing food, drinks and stories while expressing their unwavering support for their teams.
Whether it’s grilling burgers, tossing a football or proudly displaying team colors, tailgating transforms the space outside the stadium into a vibrant, festive atmosphere that fuels the excitement for the game ahead.
For college football, tailgating is even more significant. It’s a cherished tradition that connects generations of alumni, students and fans. Each college tailgate reflects the unique culture of the school, often featuring local foods, regional music and long-standing rituals.
These gatherings serve as a rite of passage for students and a way for alumni to reconnect with their alma mater, fostering a deep sense of belonging and pride. So, to pay tribute to this longstanding tradition, we ranked the most-known colleges for football programs based on how popular their tailgate parties are according to online mentions.
Methodology
We began by identifying the colleges with the most popular fanbases through desk research. We then analyzed which college has the most talked about tailgate parties online.
Three different data points per state were measured in an index: number of annual Google searches, number of social media mentions, and the positive sentiment percentage of the posts mentioning each college’s tailgating parties in the past year.
A total average score was then calculated for each college out of 3. All data is correct as of 2024/08/19.
The top 10 colleges for tailgate parties
Ready to see if you’re college made the top 10? Take a look at our rankings below:
#1: University of Alabama
Tailgating at the University of Alabama is an iconic tradition, deeply rooted in Crimson Tide culture. On game days, thousands of fans flood the campus, turning The Quad into a sea of crimson and white.
Tailgaters set up elaborate tents with Alabama-themed decorations, burger grills, and TVs to watch other games before kick-off. This enormous celebration gives the University of Alabama first place in our rankings, with a popularity score of 1.8931 out of 3.
This is thanks to an impressive 620,000 annual Googles searches, 16,000 social media posts, and 33% positive social media sentiment.
#2: University of Texas
If you attend a tailgate party at UT, expect a vibrant, Texas-sized celebration of Longhorn pride. Fans meet at the campus before games, particularly around Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, setting up tents with BBQs, live music and burnt orange décor.
Tailgating at the University of Texas is a cherished tradition, reflecting the school’s deep football culture and community spirit.
As a result, the University of Texas has 590,000 annual searches, 24,000 social media posts, and 29% positive social sentiment. This places them at number two, with a popularity score of 1.8248 out of 3.
#3: Louisiana State University
Southern hospitality is very much at the center of tailgate parties at Louisiana State University. Before games, Tiger fans pack the campus, especially around Tiger Stadium, with elaborate setups featuring Cajun cuisine such as gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish boils.
The air is filled with the sounds of LSU fight songs and excited chatter. With 580,000 Google searches, 11,000 posts on social media and 33% positive sentiment, LSU earns a popularity score of 1.7548 out of 3.
#4: University of Tennessee
The Tennessee River receives a lot of attention during tailgate parties, as it’s where fans “sailgate” on boats before heading to Neyland Stadium. The Vol Navy tradition, combined with on-campus tailgates, creates a festive block of orange and white. Fans enjoy Southern BBQ, music and passionate conversations about the Volunteers.
The University of Tennessee receives 235,000 Google searches a year, which when combined with 43,540 social media posts and 34% positive social media sentiment gives it a popularity score of 1.7122 out of 3.
#5: Penn State University
Penn State University fans gather in vast fields surrounding Beaver Stadium for tailgate parties, creating a magnificent scene of college football pride. The atmosphere is electric, filled with blue and white tents, grills cooking up Pennsylvania favorites, and fans passionately chanting “We Are Penn State!”
It’s a family-friendly environment where alumni, students and fans unite to celebrate Nittany Lions football, making every game day a memorable community event.
Penn State University is number five for tailgate parties thanks to 160,000 Google searches, 77,000 social media posts and 21% positive social media sentiment. This gives them a popularity score of 1.6364 out of 3.
#6: University of Michigan
Michigan were the 2023 champions following two years of Georgia topping the tables in 2021 and 2022. Here you’ll see countless fans heading to the Ann Arbor campus and surrounding areas before games begin at the Big House.
The scene is a sea of maize and blue, with tents, grills and spirited Wolverines fans sharing food, drinks and school pride in equal measure.
The University of Michigan has 470,000 Google searches annually, along with 31,000 social media posts and 26% positive sentiment. The result is a popularity score of 1.6308 out of 3.
#7: University of Southern California
A vibrant celebration of Trojan spirit, tailgate parties at the University of Southern California typically take place in parking lots and nearby areas before games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Fans adorn their spaces with USC colors and enjoy Southern California cuisine under sunny skies.
There are 200,000 annual Google searches for the University of Southern California, 45,180 social media posts, and 30% positive social media sentiment. This gives the university a popularity score of 1.5419 out of 3
#8: University of Wisconsin
Taking part in a tailgate party at the University of Wisconsin? Head over to the area around Camp Randall Stadium, as that’s where fans dressed in red enjoy brats, cheese and cold drinks while celebrating Badger pride.
The atmosphere is energetic and welcoming, with students, alumni and families uniting in pre-game festivities that embody Wisconsin spirit. 240,000 Google searches, 41,680 social media posts and 29% positive sentiment give the University of Wisconsin a popularity score of 1.5204.
#9: Clemson University
Another spirited affair is the traditional tailgate party at Clemson University, which is centered around Memorial Stadium (AKA “Death Valley”). Fans clad in orange gather for Southern BBQ, lively music and Tiger talk.
Clemson University boasts 245,000 annual Google searches, 19,550 social media posts and positive sentiment of 35% (the highest in the top ten), giving it a popularity score of 1.4089.
#10: University of Oklahoma
Last but by no means least, the University of Oklahoma knows how to throw epic tailgate parties. Fans dressed in crimson and cream flock to the area around Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for good food, friendly games and good-natured chants. You can practically taste the Sooner Spirit in the air!
The University of Oklahoma has 220,000 annual Google searches, a mighty 34,850 social media posts, and 28% positive social media sentiment. This gives it a popularity score of 1.3528 out of 3 and places it firmly in the top ten.
So, there you have it, those are the top 10 universities for tailgating parties in the US. Did you university make the cut, are you interested in seeking more rankings around other popular college football and mainstream football traditions? If so, then head over to the Betway CA website today!
