Legendary tailgate parties are so good 1 in 4 fans skip the game!

NEW YORK — Weekends in the fall mean one thing — football cookouts! Whether you love college football on Saturdays or the pros on Sundays, tailgating has become so popular that seven in 10 tailgaters say they actually look forward to these events more than the holidays!

A survey of 2,000 adults found that, for many, tailgating is the best part of the fall sports season. In fact, a quarter of fans have attended a tailgate without even having tickets to the game that day (24%). Similarly, 22% have attended a tailgate where they had tickets to the game but stayed at the tailgate instead. This year, nearly a third of respondents plan on attending a sports tailgate (29%).

Conducted by Talker Research in partnership with The Finnish Long Drink, the survey also explored what the perfect tailgating experience would look like. On average, respondents believe that tailgates should begin two hours before the game starts, leaving about an hour to spend with fellow fans beforehand. Timeliness is especially important for the 36% who think it’s rude to show up after the game has already started.

According to Americans, the perfect tailgate has a dozen guests — although 23% said it’s not a party until more than 12 people show up.

Thinking of the role they’d play among their party, a quarter of respondents would designate themselves as part of the “peanut gallery” (a casual fan who throws in a few comments from time to time) (24%), and a similar percentage would take up the mantle of “the grill master” (22%). One in nine would assume the role of “cheerleader” who keeps the mood optimistic and celebrates the team’s small wins. However, be mindful of when your comments slip out: 36% think it’s rude to talk while the game is in progress.

Along with good company, the survey also found the necessities for a really good tailgate. The winning ingredients include food (57%), chairs (41%), alcohol (31%), and clothing supporting your favorite team (20%).

While a majority of tailgate-goers prefer to attend (65%) rather than host (9%), many are willing to chip in — and may judge others if they don’t!

“Tailgating isn’t just about the game — it’s about the unforgettable moments shared with friends, the laughter and the excitement leading up to the big event,” says the founder of The Finnish Long Drink Company, Sakari Manninen, in a statement. “The experience is all about the memories made with good company, great drinks, and plenty of fun. Whether you’re there for the game or just the atmosphere, tailgating is where the best stories happen.”

More than half of those surveyed think it’s rude to show up empty-handed (57%), and if they were tasked with supplying something for the party, respondents want to be in charge of snacks (32%), food (28%), and alcoholic beverages (16%).

The top must-have foods for tailgates include burgers (51%), hot dogs (47%), and chips (43%). Chicken wings (35%), barbecue (19%), potato salad (17%), brats (16%), and nachos (15%) also ranked high on the list of food sports fans want to eat at a tailgate.

According to the poll, the perfect tailgate would include four different kinds of chips, three desserts, and three alcoholic drinks to choose from, along with 17 burgers or hot dogs and 21 chicken wings. As for what they’re washing all this food down with, one in five respondents would consume a ready-to-drink canned cocktail at a tailgate (22%).

“Alcohol has always been a staple of tailgating,” Manninen notes. “Whether you’re grilling, cheering, or simply enjoying the moment, a cold long drink enhances the fun and adds to the tradition of a perfect tailgate.”

At the end of the day, the experience of watching the game together with friends is all in good fun. In fact, the majority of Americans said they wouldn’t regret attending a tailgate, even if their favorite team lost (76%).