How to Tailgate at SMU Football Games

SMU, Southern Methodist University in Texas, is huge on tailgating. For those new to tailgating, this is when people bring food to barbecue and beverages to partake of outside of their cars in the parking lot before the game. SMU's football games attract hundreds of tailgaters before each home game in the SMU stadium parking lots. Since SMU takes tailgating so seriously, you'll need some tips to fully join the tailgate fun.

Things You'll Need

• Football game tickets
• Pickup truck or tables
• Outdoor BBQ
• Coolers
• Grilling supplies
• Food
• Drinks
• Paper cups
• Paper plates
• Plastic silverware

Instructions

1. Buy tickets to the football game. The SMU ticket office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's near Ford Stadium. You can also buy football tickets from Ticketmaster's website.

2. Find out the earliest you can arrive at the stadium parking lot. Usually tailgating starts a few hours before the game. If you're attending a tailgating event that's already been planned, look at their times. Reserve a tailgating spot if you're the one setting it up or if the tailgating squad needs your car.

3. Join a specific tailgate if you're an alumni or affiliated with a particular school, as they will sometimes have their own events. For example, the law school has a tailgate party near the main flag on campus of SMU before each home football game.

4. Bring supplies if you're the one setting up the tailgate. You'll need an outdoor BBQ, grilling supplies, plenty of meat or veggie burgers to grill, coolers to transport all the food in, appetizers like veggies and chips, drinks and all the plastic silverware and plates to feed the mass of mouths.

5. Bring a pickup truck or SUV with a big, flat trunk to set everything up, or bring tables. You'll need a station where people can grab chips and veggies, and you'll also need some place to store extra food, plates and silverware. This is why large vehicles are best.

6. Make sure you bring food, cups or beverages if you're attending someone else's tailgate party. It's polite to bring something to help if you're going to be eating. If you're having your own, assign food and drinks to particular people so you'll have enough. That way, you won't be stuck bringing everything.

7. Have fun and don't forget to allow plenty of time to clean up your tailgate party before the SMU football game starts. It's easy to lose track of time, so if you've produced a lot of trash, start cleaning up early. Also, make sure all the supplies like the outdoor BBQ go back to their respective owners.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you finish up your food before entering the stadium because no food or drinks are allowed inside (and no alcoholic beverages either).

Resources

• SMU's Official Football Website