Homegating is the perfect way to watch football at home! You get all the delicious tailgate food and the great company but you don’t even need to leave your house to celebrate game day. Tailgate at home with these easy football party ideas.
Tailgating at home is the perfect way to host your friends and family on game day.
These tailgate ideas are the key to throwing a football party at home that you’ll enjoy too. And you can make these work for the “big game”, a kid’s sports-themed birthday or even an end-of-the-year party for your little linebackers.
My goal with any gathering is to create fun details but keep things as stress-free as possible. If you like to tailgate at home, these easy tips to help you party with ease.
What is Homegating
When you party at home for a football game, it’s called homegating. Tailgating is traditionally when you grill and hang out by your cars outside of a stadium in the parking lot. But sometimes homegating is also referred to as tailgating at home.
Traditional tailgating at a stadium can be super fun. But I like more control. The type A gal in me needs to know that I have a nice (clean) bathroom nearby and that I’ll be warm enough.
For me, football = yummy food! It’s not really about the game. I prefer connecting with people and enjoying an afternoon together. But it’s totally cool if the game is on in the background.
That being said, you can give your guests a little more of a game-day experience by putting you a little more thought into it. These easy ideas will take it from just a table full of delicious game day food to a football watching party experience.
Yes, some people won’t want to talk or have want any distractions from the game. But others will be happy for the distraction. I’m not a big sports gal, but I am a big entertaining gal and I’m guessing others at your gathering will be similar.
Indoor Tailgate Party Ideas for at Home
When I host a tailgate party at home, I like to create an atmosphere that goes along with the reason for the party (in this case, football) but also lets me stretch my creative muscles a little bit.
Our guest list usually includes kids and adults so we try to come up with things that will keep everyone happy.
There are three areas that I focus on at every party: food, activities and decorations to make sure that ALL the guests have a good time.
Decorations
Sure, you can hang up store-bought decorations, but I always like to put a little of my style into it too.
This easy Football Banner is cute and easy to hang. I also string a few knotted yarn garlands around for some texture.
As I mentioned above, there are two types of people who attend football parties. Those who love the game and those who are along for the ride who care about the food.
The hardcore football fans won’t care about your decorations, but the people who are there for the fun of it all will appreciate the effort.
I keep things festive but simple. You can buy a ready-made set from Amazon to keep it super easy.
Tailgate Food and Drink Ideas
Serving a meal can get stressful especially when your house is small, like mine, and it’s hard to find a spot for all the guests. So keep that in mind when you are planning your football menu.
Drinks
I set out a Moscow mule bar…so you know there were some good times had by the adults… (You can see it above behind the dip.)
A Moscow Mule is a great party drink since it’s just 3 ingredients (4 if you use bitters) and super easy to make right in the copper mug.
You could even let the kids make a Moscow Mule mocktail.
Or just set out some beer and sodas and keep things really easy.
A cooler of drinks makes it really self-serve. And paper or plastic cups are a must (and probably expected) which makes clean-up super easy.
Main Course
I like to make sure I have one or two hearty items to really fill people up and then have lots of snacks around to graze on.
Pizza is always a great idea for a homegating party. Whether you make frozen or order delivery, you usually can’t go wrong.
When we use frozen, I like to put a few pizzas in the oven throughout the afternoon and serve smaller slices but more often. That way everyone could eat when they were hungry and there was no full-on dinnertime to try to juggle.
If you would rather cook, you can browse this list of Instant Pot Recipes for football parties. Easy tailgate recipes will help you feed everyone well without getting stuck in the weeds on the day of.
You could always make a casserole ahead of time and then just throw it in the oven to warm through. This Chicken Enchilada Casserole with Manwich sauce would be perfect.
Or try these warm Salami Sandwiches. With onion and pepperoncini they are full of flavor and delicious straight from the oven.
Snacks
I always try to set out fresh fruits and veggies at my parties. My kids are grazers and if it’s out, they will eat it.
Plus with dietary restrictions, there will be something for everyone. I always hated when my son was left out due to his allergies (mostly outgrown, Amen).
Snacks are great because they can be set out and people can enjoy them at their leisure. Usually, I serve items that don’t have to be refrigerated and can be left out for the duration of the party.
Here are some tasty snack ideas to serve:
- Chex Mix recipe is the best ever and this recipe with Old Bay is even more tasty.
- Chip Dip is a must. This version, also with Old Bay is unique and crave-worthy.
- Caramel Popcorn is a sweet treat that people will keep coming back to.
- Cinnamon Walnuts are easy to grab when you’re looking for something delicious and crunchy.
- Baked Salami Chips are a great football treat.
- Dried Beef Roll Ups are salty and creamy and a unique snack that your guests may not have had before. Plus they are easy to make ahead.
If you want to make something a little heartier, check out my list of great fooball party appetizers. My go-to when I want to cook are these Chicken Taco Cups. YUM!
Desserts
For desserts, Football Cookies are a must.
And so are beer infused brownies! Topped with some beer whipped cream, you’ve got a fun, slightly boozy treat.
Or browse all my alcohol infused cupcakes for more fun ideas.
If you really want to be decadent this Bourbon Bundt Cake with Sauce is RIDICULOUSLY GOOD!
Tailgate Activities for Game Day at Home
Kids love to be active so we made sure to set out some footballs for them to play catch with.
In my experience, kids don’t sit and watch whole football games. I also made sure there were paper and pens set out for drawing for the kids who weren’t into sports.
We set up a super simple photo booth, with props, in the kitchen so the kids could get silly. You KNOW kids love to take photos of themselves.
Just think of the number of selfies you find on your phone. For the backdrop, I kept it super simple with a cute football-themed garland and some easy braids made out of crepe paper streamers and used ready-made props.
It was total boys club in front of the TV watching the game. The kids didn’t hang too long but the men stayed parked here all afternoon. We won! Just kidding, I don’t even know who was playing.
Do you love homegating? Share your go-to menu in the comments below.
More Tasty Party Food Ideas
- Artichoke Dip Sliders
- 20 Appetizer Ideas That Pair Great with Netflix (but are great for football too!)
- Loaded Tater Tots with Buffalo Aioli
- Blue Cheese Steak Bites
- Blue Cheese Nachos
- Easy Football Party Appetizers
- Dried Beef and Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
