NFL tailgates are their own kind of sport—complete with legendary food, parking-lot traditions, and fanbases who treat Sunday like a weekly holiday. While every team has loyal supporters, a handful consistently rise to the top when experts, surveys, and fan rankings break down who truly owns the best pre-game party.
Below are the NFL teams most widely recognized for having the league’s best tailgating scenes.
Dallas Cowboys – The Tailgate Powerhouse
The Dallas Cowboys are frequently ranked at or near the top when analysts evaluate factors like parking availability, food quality, atmosphere, and overall fan participation. AT&T Stadium transforms into a massive outdoor festival on game days—lined with RVs, smokers, DJs, and plenty of Texas-sized barbecue.
Cowboys fans take tailgating seriously, creating an experience that feels less like a warm-up to the game and more like a standalone event. It’s widely considered the league’s “biggest” tailgate because of its scale, food culture, and all-day energy.
Buffalo Bills – Wild, Rowdy, Unforgettable
Bills Mafia is legendary—and so are its tailgates. Highmark Stadium’s lots are known for being rowdy, communal, and often hilarious, filled with antics that have gone viral across social media. Fans embrace brutal winter weather, setting up grills and tents in snowstorms and keeping the party going no matter the temperature.
Buffalo’s tailgates are less polished and more pure, chaotic fun. Expect comfort food, passionate fans, playful mayhem, and a welcoming atmosphere that happily pulls newcomers into the mix.
Green Bay Packers – Lambeau’s Classic Tradition
Tailgating at Lambeau Field feels like stepping into football history. It’s routinely described as one of the most iconic experiences in the NFL, complete with brats, cheese curds, local beer, and a community spirit that mirrors a neighborhood cookout.
The Johnsonville Tailgate Village and Titletown entertainment area give Packers fans dedicated spaces to socialize, play games, and warm up before kickoff. Even in frigid weather, the atmosphere is famously friendly, energetic, and fiercely loyal.
Kansas City Chiefs – Barbecue Heaven
If food quality is your top metric, Kansas City might be the number one tailgate in the league. Arrowhead Stadium is known for its thick barbecue smoke that fills the air on game days, with fans cooking everything from ribs and brisket to bacon-wrapped creations and competition-level sauces.
Chiefs fans are generous with their spreads, often inviting strangers to sample food and drinks. Between the aromas, flavors, and communal vibe, Arrowhead offers one of the most delicious and memorable tailgating experiences in sports.
New Orleans Saints – A Festival Before Football
New Orleans knows how to host a party, and the Saints’ tailgates prove it. Outside the Caesars Superdome, fans gather in a big, celebratory atmosphere that blends football culture with classic New Orleans street-party flair.
Food trucks, live music, cocktails, and dishes like jambalaya and po’boys set the stage. The vibe is festive, lively, and unmistakably Louisiana—making it one of the NFL’s most unique tailgate scenes.
All Things Considered
Nearly every NFL team has a tailgating culture worth experiencing, but the Cowboys, Bills, Packers, Chiefs, and Saints consistently stand out. Whether you want high-energy crowds, legendary food, iconic traditions, or full-on festival vibes, these five fanbases offer the best pre-game parties in the league—each with its own flavor, history, and style.