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Game day is about more than what happens once the game starts. It’s the food, the cold drinks, the friends, and those few hours hanging out in the parking lot before kickoff.
The best tailgate setups don’t need to be complicated. You just want everything you need close by, your food and drinks taken care of, and enough room to actually enjoy the day.
A little planning goes a long way. Here’s how to put together a tailgate setup that works.
Before loading up the car, think about how you’ll actually spend the day.
How many people are coming? How long are you staying? Are you bringing enough food for a full crew, or just drinks and a few snacks? Will everyone stay around the vehicle, or will you be moving between the parking lot and the stadium?
These details make a difference. They’ll help you figure out how much food and gear you need, where everything should go, and what’s worth bringing in the first place.
Cold drinks and good food are a big part of any tailgate.
A traditional cooler works, but ice takes up valuable space and eventually turns into a puddle. A portable fridge keeps things cold without the extra mess, and you can set it up before the first car pulls in.
For smaller groups or a quick game-day stop, the ICECO GOPACK12 keeps things simple. With 13.5 quarts of space and a compact, backpack-style design, it’s easy to bring along when you just need enough room for drinks, snacks, and a few essentials.
If you’re feeding a bigger crew, the VL45PLUS gives you more room to work with. Its three-way access makes it easier to grab what you need, while the pull-out basket keeps your food and drinks organized and easy to lift out when you’re ready to serve.
Power is easy to overlook until you’re sitting in the parking lot wondering how to keep everything running.
On the road, your vehicle’s 12V outlet can power your ICECO fridge while you’re getting to the game. Once you’re parked, the ICECO Magnetic Battery lets you keep the fridge running without leaving it connected to the vehicle.
That means you can shut the vehicle down, move on to setting up the grill or table, and leave the fridge doing its job in the background.
For a longer tailgate, it’s one less thing you have to keep thinking about once the setup is done.
You shouldn’t have to walk back to the vehicle every time someone wants another drink.
Put the things people reach for most often somewhere easy to get to. Keep snacks out in the open, put drinks where the group naturally gathers, and keep your cooking area close to the food.
This is also where portability comes in handy.
The GOPACK12 can go wherever the tailgate does, whether that’s next to the truck, by the grill, or a little farther into the parking lot. If you’re working with a larger setup, the VL45PLUS gives you more capacity, while the Magnetic Battery makes it easier to position the fridge where you actually want it.
The goal isn’t to build the biggest setup in the lot. It’s to build one that makes sense for how your crew hangs out.
You don’t need to bring the entire kitchen to have a good tailgate.
Start with the basics:
Pre-chill your food and drinks before you leave. It gives your fridge a head start and means everything is ready to go when you arrive.
And don’t forget the small stuff. A bottle opener, extra paper towels, trash bags, and something to clean up with can save you a trip back to the store.
The easiest tailgates are the ones where you’re not still unpacking when the rest of the crew arrives.
Get the fridge powered up, set out the food and drinks, fire up the grill, and give everything a place before things get busy. If you’re using a Magnetic Battery, connect it once you’re parked so your fridge can keep running while the vehicle stays off.
Once everything is in place, you’re done. Grab a drink. Fire up the grill. Hang out with your crew. Wait for kickoff. That’s what the whole setup is for.
From September 14-20, save up to 15% on ICECO fridges and outdoor gear across the website.
Spend $600 and add a BORA Beach Chair for $49.99, with only 10 available each day. Subscribe to the ICECO website for a $10 coupon, or join the ICECO Facebook Group to unlock a stackable discount code.
Cold drinks. Good food. Your crew. Time to gear up for your next game day.
