Tailgate Game Ideas: Games for Sports Lovers

Tailgate game ideas are a fun way to enhance the excitement and camaraderie before a big game, turning the parking lot into a lively and interactive gathering spot. These games combine friendly competition with socializing, creating a perfect atmosphere for fans to bond over their love for sports. Classic tailgate games include cornhole, ladder toss, and beer pong, all of which can be easily set up and enjoyed by players of all ages. You can also organize a “flip cup” tournament or challenge guests with a “football toss” game, where accuracy and distance count.

For added fun, trivia games based on the sport or team can get everyone’s competitive spirit flowing, while relay races or obstacle courses can get the adrenaline pumping. Tailgate games don’t just keep the group entertained, but they also create opportunities to show off team spirit through custom gear, banners, or even themed food. With the right combination of games, music, and snacks, tailgate parties become a high-energy event that adds excitement to the game day experience.

Tailgate Game Ideas

Here’s a list of Tailgate Game Ideas to get your party pumped before the big game:

Classic Tailgate Games

1. Cornhole
2. Ladder Toss
3. Giant Jenga
4. Ring Toss
5. Horseshoes
6. Spikeball
7. Flip Cup
8. Beer Pong
9. KanJam
10. Washers

Drinking Games

11. Power Hour
12. Flip Cup Relay
13. Kings Cup
14. Quarters
15. Drunk Jenga
16. Drinking Dice
17. Shotgun Challenge
18. Speed Pong
19. Civil War Pong
20. Pong Basketball

Physical Activity Games

21. Football Toss
22. Tug-of-War
23. Three-Legged Race
24. Backyard Obstacle Course
25. Sack Race
26. Egg and Spoon Race
27. Giant Inflatable Football
28. Kickball
29. Touch Football
30. Dodgeball

Family-Friendly Games

31. Giant Tic-Tac-Toe
32. Balloon Pop Relay
33. Family Scavenger Hunt
34. Balloon Volleyball
35. Balloon Race
36. Bean Bag Toss
37. Cup Stack Relay
38. Minute to Win It Games
39. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
40. Water Balloon Toss

Trivia & Mental Games

41. Football Trivia
42. Guess the Score
43. Football Word Search
44. Name That Team
45. Guess the Player
46. Themed Charades (Sports)
47. Sports Quiz Bowl
48. Football Bingo
49. Football Pictionary
50. Jeopardy! – Football Edition

Interactive & Team-Based Games

51. Capture the Flag
52. Group Trivia Challenge
53. Relay Races
54. Human Bowling
55. Tennis Ball Throwing Challenge
56. Obstacle Course Race
57. Football Bowling
58. Tug of War with a Twist (Balloon Tied to Each Side)
59. Giant Simon Says
60. Human Tic-Tac-Toe

Outdoor Adventure Games

61. Camping Chair Relay
62. Hula Hoop Contest
63. Frisbee Golf
64. Soccer Dribbling Relay
65. Water Balloon Volleyball
66. Foam Sword Fights
67. Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament
68. Paddleball Challenge
69. Sponge Toss
70. Bocce Ball

Themed Tailgate Games

71. Team-Themed Cornhole
72. Super Bowl Squares
73. Tailgate Relay Race (Team Spirit Gear)
74. Tailgate Trivia (Sports and Pop Culture)
75. Themed Costume Contest
76. Mascot Hunt (Find Your Team Mascot)
77. Fan Prediction Board
78. Football Hat Toss
79. Mini Football Toss Into Target
80. Fantasy Football Draft Challenge

Music & Sound-Based Games

81. Name That Tune – Football Edition
82. Lip Sync Battle
83. Karaoke Tailgate
84. Musical Chairs (Football Theme)
85. Guess the Song – Stadium Edition
86. Sound Effects Trivia (Guess the Stadium Sound)

Chill & Relax Games

87. Ring and Bottle Toss
88. Car Bingo
89. Football Catch with a Nerf Ball
90. Card Games (Poker, Rummy)
91. Dominoes
92. Travel Chess
93. Checkers
94. Travel Backgammon
95. Sudoku or Crossword Puzzles
96. Origami Footballs Challenge

Fun with Food Games

97. Hot Dog Eating Contest
98. Burgers and Hot Dogs Relay
99. Chili Cook-Off
100. Tailgate Snack Challenge
101. Pie-Eating Contest
102. Football Cookie Decorating
103. BBQ Sauce Taste Test
104. Watermelon Eating Contest
105. Snack Relay Race (Relay with Chips & Dip)

Specialty Games for the Game-Watching Party

106. TV Remote Toss
107. Football Commercial Bingo
108. Commercial Break Drinking Game
109. Super Bowl Squares (For betting)
110. Football Squares Pool (Predict the score at each quarter)

These games should provide plenty of fun and energy at your tailgate.

 

Here’s a detailed list of requirements and how to play for the 60+ Tailgate Game Ideas:

1. Cornhole

• Requirements: Cornhole boards, 8 bags (4 per team, alternating colors).
• How to Play:
  1. Players take turns tossing bags at the cornhole board with the goal of landing them in the hole.
  2. Each team takes 4 tosses per round.
  3. Scoring: 3 points for a bag in the hole, 1 point for a bag on the board.
  4. First team to 21 points wins.

2. Ladder Toss

• Requirements: Ladder toss set (ladder frame and bolas).
• How to Play:
  1. Players or teams take turns tossing bolas (two balls connected by a string) at the rungs of the ladder.
  2. Each rung is worth different points: top rung (3 points), middle (2 points), bottom (1 point).
  3. Play continues until a player or team reaches a set score (usually 21 points).

3. Giant Jenga

• Requirements: Giant Jenga set.
• How to Play:
  1. Players take turns pulling one block from the tower and placing it on top without knocking over the structure.
  2. If the tower falls, the last player to successfully place a block wins.

4. Ring Toss

• Requirements: Rings and posts or bottles to aim at.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up targets (usually 5-6 bottles/posts) in a row.
  2. Players take turns tossing rings, trying to land them on the target posts.
  3. Points are awarded based on difficulty of the target.
  4. The player with the highest score wins.

5. Horseshoes

• Requirements: 2 stakes, 4 horseshoes.
• How to Play:
  1. Place stakes 40 feet apart for men, 30 feet for women.
  2. Players take turns throwing horseshoes aiming for the stake.
  3. A “ringer” (a horseshoe encircling the stake) is worth 3 points.
  4. Points are awarded for each throw that lands close to the stake.
  5. First player or team to 21 points wins.

6. Spikeball

• Requirements: Spikeball set (ball and net).
• How to Play:
  1. Teams of two play on a small circular net.
  2. The game starts with a serve. Players hit the ball in such a way that it bounces off the net and is not returned by the opposing team.
  3. Teams have up to 3 touches to return the ball.
  4. The first team to 21 points (with a 2-point lead) wins.

7. Flip Cup

• Requirements: Plastic cups, beer or drinks, a table.
• How to Play:
  1. Players are divided into two teams. Each team gets 10 cups.
  2. Each player fills a cup with their drink, drinks it, and then tries to flip the cup upside down by flicking the rim with their fingers.
  3. The first team to successfully flip all their cups wins.

8. Beer Pong

• Requirements: 10 plastic cups, ping pong balls, table, beer or drinks.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up 10 cups in a triangle at each end of a table.
  2. Players take turns throwing ping pong balls into the opposing team’s cups.
  3. When a ball lands in a cup, the opponent must drink the contents of the cup.
  4. The first team to eliminate all the other team’s cups wins.

9. KanJam

• Requirements: KanJam set (two large cans, a flying disc).
• How to Play:
  1. Teams of two try to throw a flying disc through a large slot in the opposing team’s can.
  2. The first team to score 21 points wins.
  3. Points are awarded for successful throws into the can, with bonus points for special throws (like a slam dunk).

10. Washers

• Requirements: Washer toss set (two boxes with holes, washers).
• How to Play:
  1. Players take turns tossing washers into one of two boxes.
  2. A washer that lands in the box closest to the player is worth 1 point, while a washer in the further box is worth 3 points.
  3. The first player to reach 21 points wins.

11. Power Hour

• Requirements: Alcohol or drinks, timer.
• How to Play:
  1. Set a timer for one hour.
  2. Players must take a shot of beer (or another drink) every minute for an hour.
  3. The player who completes the hour without stopping wins.

12. Flip Cup Relay

• Requirements: Plastic cups, drinks, a table.
• How to Play:
  1. Teams of 4 or more. Each player must drink from a cup, then flip the cup upside down.
  2. The next player repeats the process until all players complete their turn.
  3. The first team to finish wins.

13. Kings Cup

• Requirements: Deck of cards, large cup, drinks.
• How to Play:
  1. Spread the deck of cards face down in a circle around the cup.
  2. Players take turns drawing cards. Each card has a rule associated with it (e.g., 2 means you give a drink, 7 means everyone points up, etc.).
  3. The game continues until all cards are drawn, and the last player must drink from the Kings Cup.

14. Quarters

• Requirements: Quarters, cups, table.
• How to Play:
  1. Players take turns trying to bounce a quarter off the table and into a cup.
  2. If successful, the player picks another player to drink.
  3. The game continues until a predetermined amount of rounds or when someone has had enough to drink.

15. Drunk Jenga

• Requirements: Jenga set, alcohol.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up the Jenga tower as usual.
  2. On each block, write a rule (e.g., take a drink, give a drink, etc.).
  3. Players take turns removing one block at a time, and the rule on that block must be followed.
  4. The game continues until the tower falls.

16. Drinking Dice

• Requirements: Two dice, drinks.
• How to Play:
  1. Players take turns rolling two dice.
  2. The number rolled corresponds to a rule (e.g., 2 means take a drink, 12 means choose someone to drink, etc.).
  3. Continue rolling until everyone is satisfied.

17. Shotgun Challenge

• Requirements: Cans of beer or soda.
• How to Play:
  1. Players race to open a can of beer or soda, puncture the bottom, and drink it as quickly as possible.
  2. The first to finish their drink wins.

18. Speed Pong

• Requirements: 6 cups, ping pong balls, a table, beer or drinks.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up six cups in a triangle at each end of the table, filled with your drink.
  2. Players take turns trying to bounce a ping pong ball into the opponent’s cups.
  3. Once a ball lands in a cup, the opponent must drink the contents of the cup.
  4. The first team to eliminate all of the opponent’s cups wins.

19. Civil War Pong

• Requirements: 10 cups, ping pong balls, beer or drinks.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up 6 cups in a large triangular formation on each side of the table.
  2. Players take turns attempting to toss a ping pong ball into one of the opponent’s cups.
  3. If a ball lands in a cup, the opponent must drink and remove the cup.
  4. The game continues until one team has no cups remaining.

20. Pong Basketball

• Requirements: Small basketball hoop, ping pong balls, cups.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up a small basketball hoop and cups on each side of the table.
  2. Players take turns shooting ping pong balls into their opponent’s hoop.
  3. Every time the opponent misses, the shooter scores a point.
  4. The team with the most points at the end wins.

21. Football Toss

• Requirements: A football, cones or targets.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up targets or cones at varying distances from where you’re throwing.
  2. Players take turns trying to throw the football through the targets or at the cones.
  3. Each successful toss into a target or hitting a cone earns points.
  4. The player with the most points at the end of a set number of rounds wins.

22. Tug-of-War

• Requirements: A rope, two teams.
• How to Play:
  1. Divide the group into two teams.
  2. Each team grabs an end of the rope, and the goal is to pull the other team across a predetermined line.
  3. The team that successfully pulls the other team over the line wins.

23. Three-Legged Race

• Requirements: A rope or strap to tie legs, markers for the race track.
• How to Play:
  1. Pair up players and tie their inside legs together using a rope or strap.
  2. The pairs must race to the finish line, trying to synchronize their steps.
  3. The first team to cross the finish line wins.

24. Backyard Obstacle Course

• Requirements: Various objects (cones, ropes, chairs, etc.) to create the course.
• How to Play:
  1. Set up an obstacle course using available items (crawling under tables, jumping over cones, balancing on a beam, etc.).
  2. Players race through the course one at a time.
  3. The player who completes the course in the fastest time wins.

25. Sack Race

• Requirements: Large sacks for each participant.
• How to Play:
  1. Players step into large sacks, holding them up at their waists.
  2. On “go,” players must hop their way to the finish line without falling out of their sacks.
  3. The first player to reach the finish line wins.

26. Egg and Spoon Race

• Requirements: Spoons, eggs (real or plastic), markers for the race track.
• How to Play:
  1. Each player is given a spoon and an egg.
  2. Players must balance the egg on the spoon while racing to the finish line.
  3. If the egg falls, the player must stop and restart from the point it fell.
  4. The first player to reach the finish line with the egg still on the spoon wins.

27. Giant Inflatable Football

• Requirements: Giant inflatable football.
• How to Play:
  1. Players throw the giant inflatable football back and forth, trying to catch it without dropping it.
  2. The game can be played as a simple catch game, or players can add rules such as “first one to drop it loses.”

28. Kickball

• Requirements: A kickball, bases, a field.
• How to Play:
  1. Play like baseball, with one team kicking and the other team fielding.
  2. Players kick the ball and run to the bases.
  3. The fielding team tries to get the runner out by catching the ball or tagging the bases.
  4. Switch teams after three outs. The team with the most runs wins.

29. Dodgeball

• Requirements: Soft balls, cones for boundaries.
• How to Play:
  1. Divide players into two teams.
  2. Players try to hit opponents with balls while avoiding being hit themselves.
  3. If a player is hit, they are out.
  4. The last team standing wins.

30. Giant Tic-Tac-Toe

• Requirements: Large board (can be drawn with tape or a wooden board), large X’s and O’s (use plastic cups, hula hoops, or discs).
• How to Play:
  1. Set up a large grid on the ground.
  2. Players take turns placing their X or O in the grid, trying to get three in a row.
  3. The first player to get three in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins.

31. Balloon Pop Relay

• Requirements: Balloons, markers for the start and finish.
• How to Play:
  1. Players must race to the finish line, but before they can advance, they must pop a balloon by sitting on it.
  2. Once they pop the balloon, they can continue to the finish line.
  3. The first player to complete the race wins.

32. Family Scavenger Hunt

• Requirements: List of items to find, timer.
• How to Play:
  1. Prepare a list of items that players must find within the tailgate area (e.g., something red, a football, a team hat).
  2. Set a timer for each round, and players or teams must race to find all the items.
  3. The team with the most items found when time runs out wins.

---

33. Balloon Volleyball

• Requirements: A balloon, a net (optional, use a string or rope as the net).
• How to Play:
  1. Players divide into two teams.
  2. They try to hit the balloon over the “net” (or rope), keeping it from hitting the ground on their side.
  3. The first team to score a set number of points wins.

34. Bean Bag Toss

• • Requirements: Bean bags, a target board (with holes or sections for scoring).
  • How to Play:
    1. Set up the target board a set distance away from the players.
    2. Players take turns throwing bean bags into the holes or sections of the board.
    3. Points are awarded based on where the bag lands.
    4. The player with the most points at the end wins.