All 138 FBS Schools Ranked by Tailgating Experience

Kceasthawk@77

All-American
Feb 2, 2005
2,924
5,318
113
Iowa’s rank seems fair, although I feel a top 15 could be justified. Thoughts?


Honestly I don't see how anyone can rate these schools 1-136 unless they've attended several events at every school, (doubtful) and even then keeping them straight would be a hell of a challenge. I'm sure this is done like much of the recruiting sites where much of it is word of mouth, so..
 

iahawkeyes17

All-Conference
Apr 22, 2014
736
1,927
83
Both USC and ND are overrated...by about 50 spots.
USC one in top 20 I agree from people I know out west and one who lives in LA area. Says they have most fair weather fans. With rain this year said weren’t out in full force and said with Iowa fans rain or shine, hot or bitter cold it doesn’t matter we show up. Also doesn’t matter if it is a 10-2 or 2-10 caliber team Iowa fans are still tailgating. usc fans down years not showing up like they did during Pete Carroll years when they aren’t as good.
 

PinkShizzle

All-Conference
Jul 9, 2025
1,791
4,041
113
•I'll add that USC seems to high. I live close to the campus (20 ish miles) so I've gone to several games and top 10 seems like a real stretch.

•Having done a program at LSU, I tailgated a lot and the atmosphere and experience was awesome.

•Also did a program at Hawaii and yeah, the tailgating is meh. It was actually decent when I went there but there was a big crackdown on alcohol and areas where you can tailgate and the atmosphere plummeted.
 

Kceasthawk@77

All-American
Feb 2, 2005
2,924
5,318
113
To be honest im not really understanding anything on game day in Iowa City that pops out to me. A bunch of people grilling and drinking. pretty much happens everywhere.
I'm guessing those comments are based more on the fact that Iowa fans show up regardless of the weather, the teams record etc..both outside and inside Kinnick, and that's probably not the same everywhere. I've only been to a couple of games in the last 15 years so, just basing that on comments here and what I see on TV....
 
Feb 25, 2008
31,502
29,925
113
I think Iowa is fair enough. I've been there where the tailgate is like the game: festive and there is an anergy in the air, but also other times where it's just quiet and not much seems to be happening.

When there is that feeling, like before a big game, Iowa's tailgating is pretty damn good.
Iowa tailgates > your favorite tailgates

Deal with it
 

MeetTheFerentzes

All-Conference
Sep 6, 2022
2,005
3,893
113
Been a long time since I've been to a game at Wisky, but I don't understand their ranking. I don't remember much of a tailgate scene at all; pregame parties were mostly at bars and private institutions, not the typical party at your car setup that I think of as tailgating, probably because there's no place to park anywhere near the stadium. Strange.

Oh, well. Lists like this are baseless and are made for one reason only - to generate discussion. Mission accomplished.
 

rchawk

All-American
Oct 27, 2001
74,497
9,091
113
Been a long time since I've been to a game at Wisky, but I don't understand their ranking. I don't remember much of a tailgate scene at all; pregame parties were mostly at bars and private institutions, not the typical party at your car setup that I think of as tailgating, probably because there's no place to park anywhere near the stadium. Strange.

Oh, well. Lists like this are baseless and are made for one reason only - to generate discussion. Mission accomplished.
Yeah, I would rate Penn State's tailgating as the best I've personally been to. Iowa's ranking is fair. Michigan's is pretty darn impressive. MSU and ISU fans do a good job. Nebraska tailgating was pretty meh.

To me a school's tailgating should be considered by several things: How important and prevalent is it among the fans? Are there more than four people there? Do they know/interact with neighboring tailgaters? Are they friendly to other fans? Do they have more than beer (a grill, at least snacks)? Are they at a convenient walk to the stadium (1/2 mile or less)? Bonus if they have a game day broadcast to listen to or watch.
 
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rchawk

All-American
Oct 27, 2001
74,497
9,091
113
WTF 🤬! Wisconsin at number 3? Iowa is got to be in the in the top 5 easily - you can’t beat the pork burgers and all the food and great Iowa fans everywhere… yes I am wearing black and gold glasses but I don’t GAF!
Atta boy Jersey! Although we must give an RIP to Big-*** Turkey Legs and the Magic Bus.
 
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Hawkangler

All-Conference
Mar 16, 2014
1,862
4,173
113
I've been to numerous stadiums and yes they can really tailgate. Wisconsin is way too high. Clemson no better than Iowa City. ND, no way it is better. South Carolina is not as good as Kinnick. Georgia/Florida what a party. Auburn is very good. Those are venues I've been to and can comment on.
 
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