College football isn’t just about what happens on the field—it’s about the traditions, the food, and the unforgettable game day atmosphere. This list of the best college football tailgates from All College Football highlights the schools where fans turn pregame into a celebration all its own.
LSU fans gather around the “Purple Haze” van during the tailgating before the game between Louisiana State and Auburn at Tiger Stadium. Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Fans tailgate before the game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
5. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks fans tailgate at the “Cockabooses” lined up behind Williams-Brice Stadium. Missouri wins in the final minutes 21-20 over South Carolina. Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Fans tailgate before game between the LSU Tigers and Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field. Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
13. Texas Longhorns
Fans tailgating outside Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
14. Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies and Stanford Cardinal fans tailgate on boats prior to the game between the Washington Huskies and the Stanford Cardinal at Husky Stadium. Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Fans tailgate before the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
17. Michigan Wolverines
Fans tailgating before the NCAA game between University of Michigan Wolverines and the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium. Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
18. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Fans tailgate outside Notre Dame Stadium before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the UNLV Rebels. Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
19. NC State Wolfpack
A general view of tailgaters outside Rentschler Field before the start of the game between the Connecticut Huskies and the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon alumni congregate as fans tailgate before the 111th Rose Bowl between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif.
22. Texas A&M Aggies
A general view as fans make their way to a tailgate party prior to the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Texas A&M Aggies at NRG Stadium. Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Members of the Kansas State University Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band perform at tailgating parties in the parking lot before the start of a game Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. K-State won the game in triple overtime, 39-33. Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
25. Appalachian State Mountaineers
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers students play music at the student tailgate area prior to a game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Brooks Stadium. Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
26. James Madison Dukes
James Madison Dukes fans celebrate during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
27. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners fan Roger Ashby (far left) tailgates in his tent before the game against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State Seminoles fans cheer and tailgate before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
From legendary spots like The Grove at Ole Miss to unique traditions like Tennessee’s Vol Navy, these tailgates capture the heart of college football culture. No matter where you go, each of these schools proves that the party often starts long before kickoff.
By Angel Atienza-Romero 
