A good tailgate runs on cold drinks and fresh food. The grill gets the attention, but it is the cooler that decides whether the last drinks before kickoff are still icy or just lukewarm. Team-branded tailgate coolers and drinkware solve that problem and show your colors in the parking lot at the same time.
The simplest way to plan is to pack in layers, from the big cooler that stays by the car to the cup you carry into the stadium. Here is a five-item checklist with one pick for each job.
The Tailgate Packing Checklist
| Job | Pick | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Main drinks and ice | Tundra 45 Hard Cooler | Up to 54 cans or 37 lbs of ice |
| Grab-and-go drinks | Hopper Flip 12L Soft Cooler | Up to 24 cans or 16 lbs of ice |
| Snacks and lunch | Daytrip 9L Insulated Box | About 12 cans |
| Your can in hand | 12oz Rambler Colster | Most 12oz cans |
| Coffee or water | 20oz Fandom Rambler Tumbler | About 20oz |
One Pick for Each Job
All five come in officially licensed team designs, so the whole tailgating gear setup can match.
1. The Base Camp: Baltimore Ravens YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler
This is the anchor of the tailgate. Rotomolded construction makes it extremely tough, the thick walls hold up to three inches of insulation, and a freezer-quality gasket locks in the cold. Heavy-duty latches keep the lid shut, non-slip feet stop it sliding in a truck bed, tie-down slots let you secure it, and a leakproof drain makes emptying the meltwater easy. A dry goods basket is included for items you want to keep out of the ice.
2. The Runner: Dallas Cowboys YETI Hopper Flip 12L Soft Cooler
When someone needs to carry drinks from the car to the group, a soft cooler is far easier than a hard one. This charcoal Hopper Flip has a tough shell, a waterproof zipper so nothing leaks, a wide mouth for easy loading and a shoulder strap. Its insulation keeps contents fresh for a day, and it weighs around three pounds empty.
3. The Lunch Box: Las Vegas Raiders YETI Daytrip 9L Insulated Box
Keep sandwiches, fruit and snacks separate from the ice with this compact black insulated box. It fits about 12 cans if needed, has an external stash pocket for a bottle opener or napkins and comes with an adjustable shoulder strap.
4. The Can Keeper: Boston Celtics YETI 12oz. Rambler Colster Can Cooler
Once a can leaves the cooler, it starts warming up. This stainless steel can cooler uses double-wall vacuum insulation and a quick-turn gasket to hold the can in place, with a no-sweat design that keeps your hand dry. It is dishwasher safe and has etched team graphics.
5. The Travel Cup: Michigan Wolverines YETI 20oz. Fandom Rambler Tumbler
For the early-morning drive or the walk into the stadium, a tumbler keeps coffee hot or water cold. This one has double-wall vacuum insulation, a splash-resistant MagSlider lid, durable stainless steel that will not hold on to tastes or odors and a shape that fits most cupholders.
Packing Tips for Colder Drinks
- Chill the hard cooler the night before with a sacrificial bag of ice, then pack it fresh in the morning.
- Load drinks first and ice on top, since cold air sinks.
- Keep the lid closed as much as possible and use the soft cooler for frequent trips.
- Park the big cooler in the shade and off hot asphalt if you can.
- Pack food in the insulated box so the main cooler is opened less often.
A little planning makes a big difference on a warm September afternoon. With drinks in one place, food in another and a can cooler in every hand, there is less rummaging and more time for the game, and nothing goes warm before the first quarter is over.
Ready for Kickoff
Start with a hard cooler for the bulk of your drinks, add a soft cooler for carrying, and finish with a lunch box, can cooler and tumbler for each person. A matched set of team drinkware keeps everything cold from setup to kickoff.
The coolers and drinkware above are part of the team range at Fanatics. Before kickoff, pull up 2minuteread for another short read worth your time.