It’s game day. You’ve got your favorite jersey on, the crowd’s buzzing, and the smell of grilled meat is in the air. But if you’re a rookie when it comes to planning your own tailgate, no worries — with a few pointers, you’ll be a pro in no time.
Get Your Grub
If you’re a grill master, or hoping to become one, take a look at local meat shops — like Swiss Meat & Sausage Co. near Hermann, Burgers’ Smokehouse in California and Clark’s Custom Meat in St. Joseph — for burgers, brats, ribs and more. If you prefer to pick up prepared food on your way to the game, check out the options from world-famous barbecue restaurants like Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque in Kansas City or Bogart’s Smokehouse in St. Louis.
Planning to lay out a gourmet charcuterie spread? Pay a visit to Goatsbeard Farm in Harrisburg for goat cheese or Green Dirt Farm near Weston for artisan cheeses made from sheep’s milk. Shatto Milk Company in Osborn offers an assortment of cheeses, including cheese curds in a variety of flavors such as Cajun cheddar and mushroom garlic cheddar.
Grab a Drink
You’ll need to wash down all that food with a drink that’s just as good. Logboat Brewing Co. in Columbia is a great stop before rooting for the Tigers at Faurot Field. Chiefs and Royals fans will find plenty of crowd-pleasing choices at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City. Cardinals and Blues fans in St. Louis can visit Rockwell Beer Co. for their pregame libations.
These are just a few of the many breweries in Missouri. Check out the Missouri Brewery Guide to explore dozens of breweries across the state.
Missouri also has an array of nonalcoholic options for your game day needs. Fitz’s Root Beer is a craft soda microbrewery in St. Louis that bottles flavors like cardinal cream, Shirley Temple and, of course, root beer. In Independence, Polly’s Pop serves up a selection of sweet drinks that include grape, orange and ginger beer.
Create a Winning Game Plan
If you plan to gather with a large group for the game, coordinate your efforts so you can occupy multiple adjoining parking spots to get the maximum amount of space. However you set up, be mindful to not block the flow of traffic. If you’re serving alcohol, make sure you have enough designated drivers to get everyone home safely.
Become familiar with the rules and regulations at the stadium you’re planning to visit. Check out the following requirements at some of Missouri’s most popular stadiums:
Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium
Tailgating is a long-standing tradition and allowed in all parking lots around Arrowhead Stadium.
For a complete list of regulations, click here.
Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium
Tailgating is welcomed at Kauffman Stadium. You will have to enter the stadium by the second inning — you can’t stay in the parking lot throughout the afternoon or evening.
For a complete list of regulations, click here.
Missouri State University, Plaster Stadium — Springfield
BearFest Village is the official Missouri State University football tailgate zone. Setup begins five hours before kickoff, and you must enter Plaster Stadium by the time the game begins.
For a complete list of regulations, click here.
University of Missouri, Faurot Field — Columbia
You can start your game day celebration early at the University of Missouri. Fans are allowed to begin setting up at Faurot Field at 8 a.m. (subject to change). Sites must be cleaned and cleared by midnight or three hours after the game, whichever is later.
For a complete list of regulations, click here.
St. Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium
Although you can’t tailgate in the parking lots around Busch Stadium, Cardinals Nation hosts an official pregame party before each home game — be sure to pay them a visit at Ballpark Village.
St. Louis Blues, Enterprise Center
You can’t tailgate in the parking lots around Enterprise Center, but fans can enjoy food and drink prior to the game at the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten in the stadium or at local bars, including Tin Roof and Wheelhouse Downtown.
Game Day Around Missouri
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