Football is the sport that most people think about when you think of tailgating. One thinks of those grand, majestic tailgate parties seen in parking lots and grass spaces across America before college and pro football contests.
But here we like to occasionally spotlight “other” sports and events to tailgate. So try this one out. How about tailgating for a football game?
Wait……what?! Didn’t I already say college and pro football? Why yes I did, but I’m talking about professional INDOOR football. Usually played in the spring time, it sounds like a perfectly awesome venue for tailgating.
Here is a brief tour of some venues around the indoor football world that would seem to be great tailgating locales:
The Philadelphia Soul play in the Wells Fargo Center at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. As I mentioned in a previous article (LINK), this collection of sporting venues offers many great places for a pre-game festivity. And the South Philly locals, as well as other fans, rush to the area for pretty much any sport and the party to go with it.
Moving across the state of Pennsylvania, one should stop in the First Capital of the United States, York, PA. Yes that is a true fact, although it is more because of technicalities of when the new country was first called officially the United States of America, as other cities had the capital honor first. Either way, the minor league York Capitals of the AIF play some great ball at the York City Ice Arena. The venue sits right at the edge of a pretty good softball complex and would offer a great place for a festivity. You could also use the miniature golf course and roller rink located nearby for a wind down.
Moving across country and back to the Arena Football League (AFL) one could hit up Anaheim, California. The L.A. Kiss, which is owned by said band, plays out of the Honda Center. That venue has plenty of parking lots to pre game at. Plus, you could also make a stop at Disneyland on the way.
The SAP Center at San Jose, home of the San Jose SaberCats, is another good AFL stop. The arena is a pretty urban and crowded environment but due to it’s proximity to Silicon Valley it may be a good stop for a high tech themed tailgate.
Still in the AFL and a few hours down the road from southern California is the Las Vegas Outlaws. Playing in the Thomas & Mack Center after a previous team played in the Orleans Arena, the UNLV campus makes a pretty setting to party in. And you are in pretty close proximity to the casinos on The Strip. So party, then gamble your lifes savings away. What could go wrong?
The Dodge City Law of Champions Professional Indoor Football League plays out of the United Wireless Arena in this small western town. I’m not sure why this would make a great party locale, except that it is in Dodge City. Shoot ‘Em Up.
Also in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League is the coolest football team nickname, the Omaha Beef. Ralston Arena makes a good locale for a tailgate just because Beef is in the name of the team.
I also like the Portland Thunder. The Moda Center in “Portlandia” is located in the wonderful Rose Quarter neighborhood of the city. if you cannot have a good time in this unique pacific northwest city you are doing it wrong.
Jacksonville always knows how to party. We see it with college football and with the Jaguars of the NFL. So why not hit up a Jacksonville Sharks game of the AFL. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena is the place to be….well when there is no NFL or college game in town, at least.
Finally we visit the indoor based Legends Football league. Formerly known as the Lingerie Football League, this could be a pretty unique sporting event to party before. Check out an Atlanta Steam game. They play at the suburban Arena at Gwinnett Center, which offers plenty of spaces to make a tailgate special.
Give football a try.
