Tailgating...no, not a$$holes driving too close to your back bumper, but the religious ceremony that takes place before most major sporting events. Whether is is NFL Football, College Football or even Major League Baseball, tailgating has become the official start to any American sporting event. Fans wake up in the wee hours of the morning, travel to the venue's parking lots, and set up a party that starts hours before the players even arrive at the field.

I'm talking cold beer, brauts, painted faces and fat guys with no shirts on (what?). It creates a bond between fans of a particular franchise, and even encourages some good natured ribbing and bonding with fans of the opposing team (usually). Over time people have come to customize and make their pre-game ritual unique from their fellow fans. There is just something about the steam from a hot pot of chili on a cold december morning that brings a smile to a fan's face.

This is exactly why we have come up with "The Tailgater's Guide To The Parking Lot", a guide to everything you need to know about tailgating across the country. The products you need to buy, the food you need to cook and information on were to find the best tailgating spots for all of the NFL Stadiums across the country. We even hope to have some great pictures of tailgaters from fans around the nation from every team as the season starts.

Tailgating Info

NFC North | South | East | West

AFC North | South | East | West

Tailgating Product Info

Great Tailgating Products

Fantasy Football Rankings, PPR Rankings, IDP Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Dynasty Rankings, Redraft Rankings, NFL Draft, Mock Drafts

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Stadium

Soldier Field
1000 Football Drive
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 615-2327 (BEAR)

Tailgating & Parking Info

• The 31st street lot is day of game, cash only. First come, first served bais and the 4,000 spots sell out quickly.

• Southwest Lots take parking passes as well as a limited amount of game day cash spots. Try here after 31st sells out.

Detroit Lions

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Eastern Market Tailgating is the place to go ($30), complete with special events and live music.
• Also try Beaubein & Congress Streets ($15)
• And City Parking ($15-$50)

Green Bay Packers

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• PMI, manages Lambeau Field parking.
• Reserved spots are available for RVs and buses.
• Call 800.895.0071 for information and passes.

Minnesota Vikings

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• The Vikings have returned tailgating lots to 3 lots adjacent to the Metrodome. They are nested inbetween 3rd Street South and 4th Street South, which is one block south of Washington Avenue. Here is a map of the surrounding area, courtesy of the Vikings website.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Parking controlled by Central Parking.
• Tailgating is allowed on the Philips lot on Foundry Street.

Carolina Panthers

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• RV parking is available at Cedar Yard Station, located just east of the I-77/Morehead Street interchange.
• For more information call (704) 334-2900.

New Orleans Saints

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Parking information call (504) 587-3805.
• www.gotsaints.com/images/tailgate.jpg

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Tailgating in Lot #8 off Himes Blvd. and Al Lopez Park 4810 North Himes Ave. for tailgating under the Oaks.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• RV parking in Bus Lot across Loop 12. Opens 2 hours before kick-off.

New York Giants

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• RVs may park in any open lot.

Philadelphia Eagles

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Tailgating at Wachovia Center parking lot. Lot opens at 4-6 hours before kick-off. Call Kenny Parking Services 215.334.4340 for more information.

Washington Redskins

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Tailgating is permitted in all parking lots.
• Stadium lots open four hours prior to kickoff.
• RV parking in Lot D4.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Sportsman's Park carparks open four (4) hours prior to kickoff.
• Oversized vehicles - There is limited number of oversized parking locations for RV's at the Youth Sports Fields and Lot H.

St. Louis Rams

Stadium

Edward Jones Dome
901 North Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63101
(800)246-7267

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Three hours before every game the Rams have a team sponsored tailgate party just east of the dome on Baer Plaza.
• Most tailgaing lots are located just east of the dome and require parking passes. Prices range from $20 for cars and $50 for RVs.
• Call the Rams ticket office at 314-425-8830 for more info.

San Francisco 49ers

Stadium

Candlestick Park
San Francisco, California
(415) 656-4900

Tailgating & Parking Info

• RV Parking is $40 per vehicle. RV's or any other vehicles measuring 17 feet or more (this includes self-contained campers) must park in the RV Lot. The RV Lot entrance is located on the corner of Gilman Avenue and Bill Walsh Way (Giants Drive). To access the RV Parking Lot from 101, please take the Third Street exit and follow the Bayshore Blvd. detour to Salinas and turn right. Follow Salinas to Third Street and turn left. Continue to Gilman Avenue, turn right and enter via the gate indicated by RV signs. Lot opens 4 hours before gametime. Arrive early to get in line.

Seattle Seahawks

Stadium

Qwest Field
800 Occidental Ave
Seattle, Washington 98134
888.NFL.HAWK

Tailgating & Parking Info

• The North Lot is the endorsed tailgating spot of the Seahawks. It is part of Qwest Field and is located on the north side of it.
• "Hawk Heaven" as it is called is just west of Qwest Field and is located under a viaduct, it has quickly become a favorite spot for tailgaters. Fills early(arrive before 8 AM), $50 for cars/trucks, $100 for RVs.

**Note** bring disposable cups, alcohol is not prohibited, but isn't endorsed either. Just act discreetly. Oh, and if parking in Hawk Heaven, you best be a Seahawk fan. It is known to get a little rough if you cheer for the other side.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Tailgating is allowed on all on-site lots controlled by the Maryland Stadium Authority. These lots open 5 hours prior to kick-off.
• RV's park in lot J. Lot opens 7am.

Cincinnati Bengals

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Best lot for tailgating is the CG & E Parking lot on Mehring Way at the Western riverfront. The lot opens 5 hours before kickoff and costs $10 per car and $20 RV's.

Cleveland Browns

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Parking information contact the Cleveland Visitors Bureau at (216) 621-4110.
• Tailgating and RVs park in Muncipal Lot at Route 2 & East 9th Street. Lot opens at 7am.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Stadium

Heinz Field
1501 Reedsdale Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
412-323-1200

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Parking controlled by Alco Parking 412.323.4455.
• RVs are to park on the other side of the stadium next to the Carnegie Science Center.

AFC South

Houston Texans

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Tailgating is permitted throughout the Reliant Complex excluding the lots south Reliant Stadium to Westridge and south of Astrodome to Westridge). Parking lots open 4 hours prior to kickoff.
• RV's must park in designated RV areas in each lot.
• Additional parking spaces may be purchased for more tailgating area.

Indianapolis Colts

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• South St. and Meridian
• South St. and Pennsylvania.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Stadium

Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
One Alltel Stadium Place
Jacksonville, Florida
904) 633-2000

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Parking Lot Q is the Tailgating Lot is restricted to season ticket holders only.
• RV parking is at the Fairgrounds.
• Tailgaters Parking is another great place to tailgate. Open four hours before kickoff, it has clean bathrooms and its own outdoor restaurant/bar in the parking lot! It is on Talleyrand Avenue, phone # 904-353-1126.

Tennessee Titans

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Because of the limited parking space around the Coliseum, tailgating is permitted only directly behind a patron's vehicle and is subject to Coliseum rules.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Tailgating is permitted at all stadium parking lots. Stadium lots open fours hours before the game and close approximately two hours following the game.

Miami Dolphins

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• RV Lot on west side of stadium, off 26th Avenue, Gate 8. Lot opens four hours before kick-off.

New England Patriots

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Parking for RVs, limos & tailgating in Lot P8. Open 4 hours before kick-off.

New York Jets

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• RVs may park in any open lot.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Stadium

INVESCO Field at Mile High
1701 Bryant Street
Denver, Colorado
720.258.3000

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Tailgating is allowed in all lots. Most of the stadium lots require a permit. Permit lots open 4 hours prior to game time. Information on single-game parking permits and RV parking permits can be obtained by calling parking information line at 720-258-3727.
• Cash tailgating lot (Lot C) is located on the south end of the stadium next to the Broncos player parking lot. The lot opens 6 hours before game time and a fee of $30 is charged on a first-come, first-serve.

Kansas City Chiefs

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Arrive early to get in line. The gates open 3 hours before kick-off and the Tailgating Rush begins.
• RVs are directed to the Bus Parking Lot M

Oakland Raiders

Stadium

Tailgating & Parking Info

• RVs park in Lot B at Baldwin Street and Hegenberger Roads. Lot opens at 9am.

San Diego Chargers

Stadium

(619)641-3100

Tailgating & Parking Info

• Parking Lots are available for tailgaters in the N3 and P3 areas.

Great Tailgating Products

Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill LXE (Red

When it comes to grilling, there is no name more respected than Coleman, and they've put together a nice portable grill that is perfect for tailgating.

From Coleman, 36-inch collapsible propane grill for use at home or on the road
With 285 square inches cooking space, grill features porcelain-coated cast-iron grates for durability and cleaning ease
Meats cook over 2 10,000 BTU straight burners; requires separate purchase of a 16.4-ounce disposable propane cylinder
Additional features include towing handle, wheels, and detachable side tables; assembly required
The collapsed grill measures 36 by 22 by 13 inches with a shipping weight of 60 pounds; limited 5-year warranty

It is currently on sale for $172.78 at Amazon.com

Ultimate Tailgating Cooler and Grill by Picnic Time®

This is a great all-in-one item. There is a gas grill, cooler and utensil carrier all in one bag.

•Propane BBQ grill with lid (propane not included)
• Large spatula with serrated edge
•Tongs
•BBQ fork
•Removable insulated cooler tote

The best part is everything colapses and fits nicely in a single duffel bag.
It is currently on sale for $164.99 at Amazon.com

Season Ticket MS-5670 Tailgating Kit

Besides the grill, and of course beer, this might be the next most important thing for tailgating perfection. This tailgaiting kit is complete with;

Tailgating is easy with this 21 piece set
Sturdy steel base and Aluminum Top Table 48" by 28"
8 BBQ Tools & holder
6 Heavy Duty Storage Containers / 2 Large - 14" x 10" x 4" deep, 2 Medium - 7" x 10" x 5" deep, 2 Small - 5" x 7" x 3" deep
Serving Tray, Two Terry Dish Towels and Cutting Board

The best part is everything colapses and fits nicely in a single duffel bag.
It is currently on sale for $179.99 at Amazon.com