There is nothing quite like waking up on the morning of a big game or event. The anticipation, the excitement, getting together with friends and not to mention the food!
The tailgate experience is one of a kind. But it wouldn’t be tailgating without cornhole! Chances are when you’ve gone to a sporting event you saw various unique cornhole tailgating setups in the parking lot.
The most common thing you will see—outside someone making burgers and hot dogs on their grill with a red solo cup in hand—is people playing cornhole! The game has only increased in popularity and has now become a staple at sporting events.
But what are the best sports for playing cornhole and tailgating? We have the answers. Some of the sports mentioned on this list may surprise you, while others are no brainers. We also got creative and one sport on this list shows up more than once (hint it involves a pigskin).
So buckle up and enjoy—and be sure to bring your Slick Woody’s cornhole game the next time you tailgate!
5. Horse Racing
We start off our list with a pick that doesn’t fit the traditional mold when you think of sports tailgate. However, horse racing and, specifically, the Kentucky Derby have some of the greatest tailgates of any sporting event.
The kickoff to this great tailgating event doesn’t start on Saturday, hours before the most exciting two minutes in sports, but instead on Wednesday, the week of the race! Fans can be seen in the parking area surrounding the track as media from around the country begin to descend on Churchill Downs.
But the Kentucky Derby isn’t the only horse racing event to draw a crowd. The third leg of the Triple Crown, Belmont Stakes, is also a popular tailgating venue.
Fans have their usual tailgating items along with cornhole games in the parking lot surrounding the racetrack. Churchill Downs is unique in that fans tailgate in the infield portion of the racetrack.
Horse racing checks every box of what you want in a tailgate
- Any alcohol you want (Mint Julep being the staple at Kentucky Derby)
- Different types of food
- Great community of tailgaters
- Ample space to play cornhole
Recommended cornhole board design for this tailgate
Play with this Treated Oak Cornhole Board Set from Slick Woody’s
4. High School Football
As the first of three mentions of football tailgates, high school football is something that is near and dear to our heart!
Our headquarters are just 5 minutes away from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and we are home to the greatest high school football rivalry in the country: Massillon vs. McKinley.
Much like in other parts of the country like Texas and Georgia, high school football is on another level in Ohio. Which means you get the tailgates that go along with it!
High school football tailgates begin right after school with kids and parents lined up outside the stadium to grill hot dogs and hamburgers, listen to music and, most importantly, play cornhole!
There is something special about Friday Night Lights. Cornhole is the perfect complement to the fall weather and atmosphere.
Another special feature of high school tailgates is the high school bands that warm up before the game. Oftentimes the sounds of the band provide the soundtrack to the tailgate experience!
Recommended cornhole board design for this tailgate
Customize Slick Woody’s Custom Cornhole Board Set with your school’s logo
3. College Football
Possibly the only thing more fun than going to a college football game is attending the tailgates before the game! The intensity of college football fans and their passion for their individual schools is unrivaled in the world of sports.
A college football tailgate is unique in that you will get a different experience depending on where you are. Regions of the country tailgate in different ways, but the one constant you will see at all of them is cornhole!
The University of Mississippi is known for their “Hot Toddy” and high-class apparel. Cornhole is a staple at the individual tailgate tents that house a sea of blue and red fans in the 10-acre quad area.
Perhaps no school embodies the food aspect of the tailgate like LSU, which has everything from crawfish and jambalaya to traditional tailgate fare.
Also on the “food and drink” list is the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, Florida. Home to the game between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs, this tailgate will overwhelm you with the amount of alcohol and food on hand. The party goes throughout the game as fans stay in the parking lot for cornhole tailgating and partying.
But what is the best college tailgate to play cornhole? It’s hard to argue against Penn St with the scene at Happy Valley. The sea of campers and RVs is the perfect spot to play cornhole before the game.
Whatever your school of choice, there is a good chance that a cornhole game will be a staple at any tailgate.
Recommended cornhole board design for this tailgate
Check out our State Flag Collection of cornhole board games
2. World of Outlaws & NASCAR Racing
We are proud to be the official tailgate sponsor of World of Outlaws racing. For fans who have not been to a race, there is nothing quite like the tailgate!
No matter which race you decide to go to, you will find some of the most welcoming fans of any sport, ready to share their food and drink and play a cornhole tailgating game!
What makes racing #2 on the list? The tailgate usually starts days before the actual race. Many racing fans actually come to the track before drivers and teams to claim their spot on the campgrounds!
World of Outlaws racing has many unique events, but our favorite is in our hometown of Ohio at Eldora Speedway where the massive campground offers fans an opportunity to tailgate all week long and drive around in golf carts to other tailgates!
NASCAR fans will have Talladega Superspeedway high on their list. It has an infield large enough to hold some cities in and ample opportunities to enjoy the best aspects of tailgating.
The pure passion of racing fans and the unique spreads of home cooked meals make racing a top choice to enjoy a game of cornhole and tailgate!
Recommended cornhole board design for this tailgate
View our World of Outlaws Racing Collection of cornhole boards, accessories, and more
1. NFL
The century-old tradition might have had its origins in college football, but it never really took off until the NFL became America’s pastime. The NFL is the ultimate tailgate experience and perfect for playing cornhole before the big game!
What are the best NFL team tailgates?
The best pro football tailgate experience probably depends on who you root for. But in talking with our customers, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the most passionate fans and best tailgate experiences to play cornhole.
- Chicago Bears: Get the brat and grilled Krispy Kreme doughnut. Compete in competitive cornhole games throughout the tailgate.
- Philadelphia Eagles: These are some of the most passionate and rowdy fans in the NFL. The world-famous cheesesteak is a tailgate food staple. Make sure to check out the fan-founded drum line at 4th and Jawn.
- Green Bay Packers: This is the mecca of the NFL. Lambeau Field is surrounded by a residential neighborhood to give your tailgate one of the most unique experiences in the NFL. Play a Green Bay Packers cornhole game while you chow down on a bratwurst and some cheese!
- Dallas Cowboys: Jerry’s World is home to a great tailgate, and the saying is true – everything is bigger in Texas! Make sure to get the signature Maker’s Mark Hot Toddy while you play on some Dallas Cowboys-inspired cornhole boards.
- Kansas City Chiefs: There is no better place in the country to have some good BBQ and tailgate than Kansas City! This tailgate is known to go all day long, so make sure to go with an empty stomach, ready to play cornhole throughout the day!
- Buffalo Bills: The Bills Mafia! Some of the most passionate fans in the NFL are willing to go through tables (literally) to show their loyalty to the Bills. This tailgate experience pulls in fans from all over, including Toronto! Make sure to get their world-famous buffalo wings while you play a game of Buffalo Bills cornhole.
- Cleveland Browns: We are going to show our bias, but the Cleveland tailgate experience is like no other. Fans get in the night before the game to camp out and get ready to see the Browns play! The world-famous Muni Lot is a favorite tailgate destination with fans cooking hot dogs slathered with Berman’s Stadium Mustard (a local favorite) while playing cornhole.
Recommended cornhole board design for this tailgate
Check out our Sports Town Collection of cornhole boards
Fire Up the Grill & Set Up the Boards
If you’re as excited as we are for the next tailgate, grab a set of cornhole boards (and some new cornhole bags) today so you’re ready. We recommend selecting the tailgate size, so they’re easier to carry and transport to your favorite tailgating spot.
