9 Unique College Football Tailgating Traditions

We’ve searched stadium parking lots (and waterways) across the country to bring you some of the most unique tailgating scenes to put on your bucket list this fall.

By: Matt Dewhurst

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University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS) - The Grove

Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty! Like many schools around the country, Ole Miss claims to have the best tailgating scene around, and one trip to Oxford may leave you convinced. The reason? The Grove. This 10-acre quad/park at the heart of campus transforms into downtown tailgate town on Rebel’s game days. A sea of blue and red cover this grassy area as fans dressed in their Saturday’s best parade from tent to tent, sampling delicious food and drink. It is a true taste of southern hospitality that can’t be missed.

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) – Midnight Yell

No one, and I mean no one, may like their football as much as the natives of West Texas. For many of them, that means heading to College Station every Saturday to tailgate for the Aggies of Texas A&M. If you plan on joining the party, make sure to get there the night before for the Midnight Yell. Students and A&M supporters pack Kyle Field (sometimes up to 40 or 50,000!) to practice cheering for the game in one of the more unique college football traditions.

Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA) - The Food

For real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. For tailgating, it’s all about the food, food, food. Perhaps no school demonstrates this better than LSU. It seems that every tailgate in Baton Rouge is well planned and well seasoned with everything from jambalaya and ponce to crawfish. And make sure to come hungry, because there is always enough for seconds, thirds and fourths.

Clemson University (Clemson, SC) – The $2 Bill

This tradition is one that hits the road with its fans. Starting in 1977 after Georgia Tech refused to play Clemson, Tiger fans now stock up on $2 bills, freshly stamped with an orange tiger paw, to spend in opposing cities in an attempt to note all the money that tiger fans bring in to their market. The result is a lasting and clever way to leave a Clemson footprint on rival teams and economies.

University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) – The Cockaboose Railroad

Ever tailgate on a train? No? Well look no further than then University of South Carolina. Roughly 50 yards from Williams-Bryce Stadium are 22 railroad cars that you can rent out on game day for your tailgate party. Each car is uniquely decorated, but all feature top-of-the-line interiors, flat screens, full kitchens and rooftop decks. This is a tailgating tradition truly unique to the Gamecocks of South Carolina.

University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) – The Vol Navy & University of Washington (Seattle, WA) – Husky Harbor

Both of these fine institutions feature what we so humbly call boatgating. Their waterside stadiums offer the perfect opportunity for fans to bring their pre-game festivities dockside. In Tennessee, they call it The Vol Navy, and in Washington, it’s Husky Harbor. But no matter what you call it, tailgating plus boating equal greatness.

Penn State University (State College, PA) – Nittanyville

The scene in Happy Valley on a fall Saturday morning is something to see for yourself. Thousands of fans, dressed in white from head to toe, camp out in tents, campers and RVs to prepare for the Nittany Lions next game. The pop-up community of Penn Staters is affectionately called Nittanyville and boasts some of the most passionate tailgaters you’ll find in the country.

University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) – Charter Hill

Better known to the Golden Bears faithful as Tightwad Hill, this popular tailgating and viewing venue is unique to the University of California. Just over the east side from California Memorial Stadium is the small foothill, providing an amazing – and FREE – view of Cal games each Saturday. For 90 years, students, alumni and faculty have climbed Charter Hill to enjoy this amazing game-day tradition.

University of Florida vs. University of Georgia (Jacksonville, FL) – The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

One of the most anticipated matchups of the college football season takes place in Jacksonville, between border rivals Florida and Georgia. This game always has one of the largest tailgate parties with nearly as many fans staying in the parking lot to keep the party going as actually going inside for the game – hence the unofficial title, "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."

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9 Unique College Football Tailgating Traditions

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University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS) - The Grove

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) – Midnight Yell

Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA) - The Food

Clemson University (Clemson, SC) – The $2 Bill

University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) – The Cockaboose Railroad

University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) – The Vol Navy & University of Washington (Seattle, WA) – Husky Harbor

Penn State University (State College, PA) – Nittanyville

University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) – Charter Hill

University of Florida vs. University of Georgia (Jacksonville, FL) – The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

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