18 Best Football Essentials for Hosting Game Day at Home in 2026

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The wait is over—football is back, and there’s just something about the start of a new season that makes fall feel even more exciting. The games, the rivalries, the traditions, the food and the excuse to spend an entire weekend watching football with family and friends—it’s one of my favorite times of year.

Football is especially big in our family. My brother played and now coaches in the NFL, so it has always been a pretty big part of our lives. My husband and I also have our own rivalry with both of our alma maters in the Big 12; we naturally keep a running tally of wins when they play each other.

We also love being outside whenever the weather cooperates, which makes watching football in the backyard one of our favorite ways to spend a weekend. There’s something about having the game on, the grill going, cold drinks in hand and everyone hanging out outside that just feels like fall.

With the right setup, you can turn your backyard into the perfect spot to watch the game without dealing with parking lots, traffic or packing up half the house. Here are the essentials I’m using to make our football weekends at home even better.

Best Tailgate Food & Grilling Essentials

We finally jumped on the Blackstone bandwagon this year, and I totally get the hype now. It has quickly become our go-to for everything from smash burgers to breakfast, and honestly, I’m not sure how we hosted football weekends without it.

High-quality meat delivered straight to your door? Sign me up. Meat from Porter Road is a little football-season luxury that makes hosting a whole lot easier. Stock the fridge, skip the grocery store run and let the grill do the heavy lifting.

The HexClad BBQ Bundle has pretty much everything you need to handle game-day grilling. The carving board is heavy-duty with a stainless-steel tray to catch all the jus. And let me just say: this knife is sharp! Like sharp, sharp.

Run out of plastic cups? Need an extra folding chair? Missing an ingredient for your dip? DoorDash has you covered. And football Saturdays just got more rewarding with DoorDash Streaks. Order $20+ on qualifying Saturdays in September to unlock deals and get entered to win a new Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat or one of 1,000 $250 DoorDash gift cards. Keep the streak going all season for a shot at a $757,500 grand prize, plus a year’s supply of Dr Pepper.

The Meater Pro takes the guesswork out of grilling, which is especially helpful when you’re cooking for a crowd. I can keep tabs on the meat without constantly lifting the lid, checking the temperature or hoping for the best.

I love that this BrüTank is more than just a cooler. The built-in tap, all-terrain wheels and padded bench top make it incredibly handy for football weekends, and with room for 48 cans, I can load it up once and actually enjoy the party instead of making trips back to the fridge.

This party tray is one of those Target finds that makes game-day hosting way more fun. It’s perfect for loading up with wings, dips, veggies or whatever snacks you’re serving—and the football shape is doing a lot of the decorating for you.

Best Tailgate TVs & Streaming

The centerpiece of every successful watch party begins and ends with your TV setup. Why not take your viewing outdoors? The Sylvox Outdoor TV delivers a clear, vibrant picture even in full sun, and its weatherproof design stands up to rain and humidity — perfect for backyard game-day viewing.

Upgrade your game-day viewing with Sling TV’s five-month Orange + Blue Season Pass, now just $199.99 for the season. If you’d rather go month to month, the Sling Essentials + Select bundle is $34.99 a month and includes ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, FS1 and more, giving you plenty of ways to catch the action all season long.

This portable powerhouse of a speaker delivers deep, 360-degree sound that gets impressively loud, filling any space from kickoff to the final whistle. Its durable, water-resistant design and long-lasting rechargeable battery make it perfect for tailgates and backyard parties alike.

For indoor viewing from the comfort of your couch, you might as well have a TV that makes you feel like you’re sitting in the stadium. The Sony BRAVIA 7 II delivers seriously sharp 4K HDR picture quality, so you can actually see every play clearly.

Best Tailgate Backyard Games & Party Vibs

BucketGolf is a backyard game that gets everyone involved, even the people who swear they’re “not really golf people.” It’s easy to set up, surprisingly competitive and a fun way to give everyone something to do during commercials.

Smokeless, powerful, and easy to move, the Ninja Fireside360 spreads heat and light in every direction. It sets the tone for backyard tailgates, evening games, and late-night hangouts.

The Barsys 360 Cocktail Maker is basically having a bartender on standby without actually having to hire one. It mixes up cocktails at the push of a button, so you can keep the drinks flowing while you focus on the game—and your guests.

Best Fan Jerseys & Game-Day Gear

HOMAGE has some of the most fun game-day gear, especially if you’re into their NFL collaborations with brands like Hello Kitty, Starter and The Simpsons. It’s team spirit with a little more personality—and I’m always here for that.

When it comes to jerseys, I usually go straight to Nike. They have all the teams and players you could want, so it’s an easy way to show up on game day fully committed to your team—whether they’re winning or ruining your afternoon.

TravisMathew’s game-day collection is perfect if you want to rep your team without looking like you’re headed straight to the student section. I’m a big fan of their polos and hats

Fanatics is the go-to destination for officially licensed sports gear, offering a massive selection of jerseys, hats, tees, and more from every team and league. Whether you’re looking for the latest releases, classic favorites, or hard-to-find collectibles, Fanatics makes it easy to show your loyalty and keep your game-day style authentic and on point.

About the Author

Katie Ann Lehman is a Key Account Manager and contributor across Penske Media brands, covering style, parenting, sports, and lifestyle content. With a background in affiliate marketing and commerce media, she has managed programs for brands including Gap Inc, giving her a unique perspective on shopping trends, product discovery, and digital consumer behavior. She also previously worked in the sports industry in media relations for several professional sports organizations. Katie Ann holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Sports Media and Public Relations from Oklahoma State University.